Kyoto
Named for Baisao, the wandering monk who taught Japan sencha.
Uji tea house named after Baisao, the wandering monk who popularised sencha in 18th-century Japan. Uji teas served with quiet attention. Uji, listed under Kyoto.
A central Kyoto family merchant for daily Uji sencha.
Long-running family tea merchant in central Kyoto stocking Uji teas. Quiet shop with a small in-store tasting counter and a following of Kyoto locals who come for daily-drinking sencha.
A Teramachi tea stall since 1803, famous for serious matcha.
Tiny family tea stall on Teramachi-dori since 1803. Specialises in shaded Uji teas, particularly gyokuro and tencha. The shopfront is unchanged for decades and the matcha is famously serious.
Slow contemporary tea sessions in Higashiyama.
Contemporary Higashiyama tea room built around rare Japanese single-origin teas with extended hand-brewed service. Minimal seating and slow tasting menus.
A long-running Uji merchant for matcha, gyokuro and sencha.
Long-running Uji tea merchant stocking matcha, gyokuro and sencha from local producers. Uji, listed under Kyoto.
On Teramachi Street since 1875, five generations of tea.
Tiny tea shop on Teramachi since 1875, run by the same family for five generations. Uji matcha, gyokuro and sencha, milled to order.
Quiet ceramics gallery and tatami tea room near Karasuma.
Quiet teahouse and ceramics gallery hybrid run by tea master Nichinichi. Seasonal Japanese tea pairings served on antique and contemporary teaware in a tatami room near Karasuma Oike.
Founded 1160. Japan's oldest tea shop, by the Uji bridge.
Founded 1160 beside the Uji bridge, considered the oldest tea shop in Japan and run by the same Tsuen family for 24 generations. Traditional tea service and Uji matcha sweets. Uji, listed under Kyoto.
Stone-milled Uji matcha and shaded gyokuro near Byodoin.
Uji tea merchant specialising in stone-milled matcha and shaded gyokuro. Quiet shop a short walk from Byodoin temple, with on-site tasting. Uji, listed under Kyoto.
A neighbourhood tea shop near the Philosopher's Path.
Small specialty tea shop in Jodoji (Sakyo-ku), a short walk from the Philosopher's Path, stocking Japanese teas from named producers.
