L.A. Juice, Hiroo

Juice detox and cleansing diets have been popular in the U.S. for some time now and we've mentioned various juice and smoothie spots that have popped up around Tokyo recently. Just last week, another one launched near the Hiroo station shopping street: L.A. Juice. This popular California chain boasts "cold-pressed" juices—but is there a difference?

Fruits and vegetables are essential sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.  Having any 100 percent juice is a great way to deliver these compounds in one sitting. As the name suggests, pressed juices are extracted from fruits and vegetables in a hydraulic press. What makes cold- pressed different is that the juices are exposed to minimal heat and air, so they are able to hold onto more vitamins, minerals, and enzymes present in the whole fruit.

The problem with cold-pressed juice is that it has a very short shelf life in it’s raw form, other juiceries employ a type of pasteurization called HPP (High-pressure processing) to lengthen the shelf life for up to a few weeks. L.A. Juice founder Kiel Pellitt explains: “Most juice companies are treating their juices with a process called HPP, I am firmly against this treatment and ensure our juice will be fresh and full of healing benefits just as nature intended.”

So you can be sure your L.A. Juice is freshly pressed—but be prepared to pay for it, as a modest 300 millilter bottle will set you back between ¥1,000 to ¥1,200.

All of the juices are pressed on site and there is plenty of variety with the unique combinations. There are also one-day detox sets available (five bottles for ¥5,000).

The Deets

Address: 5-15-1, Hiroo, Shibuya- ku, Tokyo 150-0012

Tel: 03 6447 7320

Open: Daily, 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

Website