Favorite Places to Buy Matcha in Uji, Japan
Uji is the most famous region in Japan for producing tasty matcha. I visited Uji in May 2024. Here are some of my favorite places to pick up a tin of matcha while exploring this town.
Note: As of Jan 2025, there is currently a matcha shortage in Japan. Please be cognizant of how much matcha you buy.
📍Tsuen (Main Branch)
Tsuen is the oldest tea house in Japan, founded in 1160, and a testament to Uji's rich tea heritage. Remarkably, it has remained under the care of the Tsuen family for 24 generations. Located near the Uji Bridge, you can find matcha for sale in the back of the store in a refrigerator.
📍Jinjiro Tea Shop
Jinjiro Tea Shop is a small, family-run establishment in Uji, operated by a 6th-generation tea farmer. The shop stands out for its commitment to honzu rice straw shading, an intricate and time-honored technique where rice straw mats are carefully layered to shade tea plants, enhancing their umami and sweetness. Jinjiro also specializes in single-cultivar teas, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the distinct flavors of individual tea varieties.
📍 Marukyu Koyamaen (Main Plant)
Marukyu Koyamaen is a highly respected tea producer in Uji, known for its expertise in growing, sourcing, and blending matcha. Popular on social media, it has become a go-to brand for matcha lovers, with products often selling out online. Visiting during tea harvest season in late May offers a unique experience, as the aroma of roasting tea fills the store.
📍 Nakamura Tokichi (Main Store)
Nakamura Tokichi is well-known for its matcha sweets, but its roots in tea production run deep. With a long history in Uji, the company was among the first to motorize the matcha mill, revolutionizing the production process. The main store is a great place to enjoy matcha in all its forms, from traditional tea to innovative desserts, while appreciating the craftsmanship and history behind each offering.
📍 Horii Shichimeien
Horii Shichimeien is one of the few tea companies in Uji that still owns and grows some of their tea on their own fields, including a 600-year-old tea field just down the street from their shop. They are known for creating the high-grade matcha cultivars Narino and Okunoyama, both of which are available for purchase. Head to the back of the store for the opportunity to taste the matcha before you buy. This is a personal favorite of mine!
📍 Tea Square Morihan
Located right across the street from Marukyu Koyamaen’s Main Plant (discussed above), Tea Square Morihan offers a selection of matcha sourced from various producers. In addition to their matcha shop, they operate a cafe where you can enjoy traditional matcha and desserts. A small tea museum on-site gives you the opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of matcha, making it a great stop for both tea lovers and those looking to deepen their understanding of matcha.
