Where It All Began
Nestled in the south of Kyoto, along misty river valleys and terraced hills, Uji has perfected the art of tea. Synonymous with Japan's finest green tea, Uji's reputation and heritage have been cultivated over centuries.
Uji is more than a destination; it's an enchanting experience steeped in tradition. Here, tea is not just a drink, but a way of life.
800 Years of Tradition
As you stroll down Uji's historic Byodoin Omotesando street, the air is filled with the enticing aroma of roasted tea leaves and sweet confections. Traditional tea houses and delightful confectionery shops line the path to the ancient Byodoin Temple, where visitors often wander with matcha lattes and ice cream in hand. Here, you can immerse yourself in an authentic sado (tea ceremony) in a simple tea hut across from Byodoin's Phoenix Hall, experiencing a ritual that has endured for generations.
Uji's connection with tea dates back to the 13th century. For over 800 years, Uji has played a pivotal role in the innovation of Japanese tea. In the 1500s, Uji farmers pioneered a technique called Oishita Saibai, where farmers covered the tea plants with reeds and straw mats before harvest. This technique produced leaves of unparalleled rich green hue and flavor, giving rise to matcha as we know it today. Esteemed Tea Master Sen no Rikyu elevated matcha to an art form through the chanoyu tea ceremony, solidifying Uji's respected status in the tea world.
During the Edo period, Uji's reputation soared further when Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu appointed the renowned Kanbayashi family as his personal tea supplier. The spring harvests were transported securely through the Ocha Tsubo Dochu ("tea jar road") to Edo, modern-day Tokyo. The historic tea merchants' houses still stand in Uji, steeped in history. By the mid-18th century, a Uji farmer named Nagatani Soen invented the sencha processing method, spreading Uji's influence to every corner of Japan. By the 19th century, Uji tea had become a national brand, cherished from the Imperial Court to households across the country.
Uji's Ideal Terroir
Uji's exceptional tea quality springs from the harmonious blend of its unique natural conditions. The region enjoys a gentle climate with warm days, cool nights, and abundant rainfall. At dawn, thick fog drapes the tea slopes like a veil, protecting tender leaves from harsh sunlight and frost. These mists slow the growth of the tea, concentrating nutrients and flavor.
With slightly elevated, hilly terrain and well-drained red soils, Uji offers conditions for tea plants to thrive. Recognized as the perfect location to grow delicious tea, Uji and its surrounding area are celebrated as the "motherland" and as the birthplace of Japanese tea: matcha, sencha, and gyokuro. The landscape's unique balance of rivers, moisture, and dappled sunlight yields exquisite tea.
Crafting Perfection
What sets Uji's matcha apart is the meticulous craftsmanship and devotion embedded in its production. Uji farmers continue to uphold time-honored techniques to achieve the highest quality tea. Uji's matcha consistently earns top honors in national tea competitions, celebrated for its aroma and depth.
Generations of expertise also go into the art of blending; Uji's tea masters practice gogumi, blending leaves from different areas or cultivars to achieve that signature rounded flavor. To protect this legacy, Kyoto's Tea Chamber of Commerce is pursuing Geographical Indication status for "Uji matcha," ensuring that only authentic matcha crafted from hand-picked first-flush tencha grown in Kyoto can carry the Uji name to ensure authenticity and excellence. From cultivation to grinding, every step in Uji embodies an almost spiritual quest for perfection, resulting in matcha revered for its silky texture, umami sweetness, and an unforgettable finish that reflects centuries of expertise.
Join the Tradition
To sip Uji matcha is to experience a cherished tradition that has been shared across generations. There is a gentle serenity in this experience; as you whisk the tea, you can almost sense the quietude of a tea room, and the mist hovering over the distant Uji tea fields. This is matcha that invites you to slow down and savor its depths.
Discover the harmony of flavor, comfort, and tradition through Uji matcha.
