Jidoriya Kokoro

Ito Kyuuemon is an old tea shop in Uji. Here is an introduction to it:

Historical Origin

&bull; In 1832, the first generation Ito Tsuneemon Takizo started to engage in the tea business in Namura, Tahara Village. It was followed by the second generation Ito Tsuneemon Kyusaburo, the third generation Ito Tsuneemon Yumatsu, and the fourth generation Ito Dokichi. In 1865, the fifth generation Ito Kyuzo moved to Uji and opened a shop. He took the &quot;久&quot; in his name and named the company &quot;Ito Kyuuemon Head Office Co., Ltd.&quot;.

Brand Features

&bull; Product Innovation: Pushing the application of matcha to a new height, launching innovative products such as matcha curry, and also launching a variety of seasonal limited flavors of matcha ice cream.

&bull; Adhering to quality: The store uses traditional stone mortar grinding technology to ensure the aroma and flavor of each batch of tea.

&bull; Business expansion: Taking a different approach, focusing on souvenirs, persisting for 20 years, and becoming the leading brand in the matcha souvenir category; at the same time, developing online sales to enhance brand awareness.

Store distribution

&bull; There are many branches, and the Byodoin store next to the Japanese national treasure Uji Byodoin is one of its well-known branches. In addition, there is a Gion Shijo store near Kawaramachi, a bustling street in Kyoto, and a Kiyomizuzaka store on Kiyomizuzaka, the main road leading to Kiyomizu Temple.

Cultural significance

&bull; As a famous store and tourist must-see in Kyoto, Ito Kyuemon is one of the best places to experience Kyoto Uji tea culture. It carries the local traditional culture and historical memory, and has also become an important window for spreading Japanese matcha culture.

Visit the world heritage site of Uji Byodoin Temple and explore the hometown of matcha, Nakamura Tokichi (main store). It is very close to Byodoin Temple, and you can see Uji Bridge and Uji River from the tea seat. Ordered matcha ice cream, hot matcha, cold matcha and other drinks.
[Taste] The source of matcha.
[Environment] Old Japanese building with beautiful scenery.
[Service] Excellent!

Japan Travel🇯🇵Uji Matcha Tasting🍵Half-Day Leisure
Uji is only 20 minutes away from Kyoto Station🚇, so it is perfect for a half-day tour from Kyoto. Uji&#39;s Matcha🍵 is well-known. Come to the origin to explore what kind of landscape environment can grow high-quality Matcha.
Transportation🚇 Take a train from Kyoto Station to JR Uji Station for 20 minutes.
Desserts🍴Uji&#39;s most distinctive features are Matcha🍵 tea and desserts. The most signature old stores &quot;Nakamura Tokichi&quot; and &quot;Ito Kyuuemon&quot;, and the two main stores in front of the JR station have long queues. Diners who don&#39;t mind dining at branches can move to Nakamura&#39;s &quot;Bidaoin Store&quot; (see the map in the picture). There are floor-to-ceiling windows in the store where you can sit and enjoy the Kamo River. Before and after dining, you can also visit the Phoenix-themed &quot;Bidaoin&quot; (🎫600JPY). After eating, I feel that the most distinctive thing is the matcha sorbet. The matcha soba noodles 🍜 look good but taste very ordinary.
Attractions 📍 The entire town of Uji is very small. It takes no more than 30 minutes to walk around the core businesses around the Uji River. All famous attractions and restaurants can be reached on foot.
Uji River and Uji Bridge are places that you can&#39;t miss. If you have time, you can also visit &quot;Bidaoin&quot; (🎫600JPY). The courtyard in the water is really elegant.

Uji is the most famous matcha producing area in Japan and a paradise for matcha lovers. Not only is there top-quality matcha here, but there are also a variety of matcha-inspired delicacies.
The following is a detailed &quot;Uji Matcha Food Guide&quot; to take you to experience the beauty of Matcha in depth!
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🍵 Uji Matcha must-try list
1. Classic Matcha Desserts &amp; Drinks
🍦 Matcha Soft Serve
Almost every store in Uji has matcha ice cream, but the taste varies greatly depending on the concentration (from regular to extra strong).
- Recommended stores:
- Nakamura Tokichi Honten - Rich matcha flavor with optional concentration.
- Itoh Kyuemon &ndash; The matcha + roasted green tea ice cream is super popular.
🍰 Matcha Parfait
Uji&#39;s matcha parfait is rich in layers, usually including matcha jelly, red beans, shiratama dango, matcha ice cream, etc.
- Recommended stores:
- Nakamura Tokichi Main Store&mdash;&mdash; The signature &quot;Matcha Parfait&quot; is a must-order!
- Tsujirihei Honten &ndash; a century-old shop with very beautiful parfaits.
🍡 Matcha Daifuku &amp; Dango
The soft and glutinous dumplings are coated with rich matcha powder or matcha filling, and have a chewy texture.
- Recommended stores:
- Tsuen Tea House &ndash; Japan&rsquo;s oldest tea house (opened in 1160), their dango with matcha is super classic.
☕ Matcha Latte &amp; Pure Matcha (Matcha Latte / Koicha)
If you want to experience the purest matcha, try Koicha, which has a bitter and sweet aftertaste.
- Recommended stores:
- Fukujuen Uji Kobo &ndash; You can experience matcha making and taste freshly brewed matcha.
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2. Matcha main dishes &amp; light meals
🍜 Matcha Soba
Uji&#39;s matcha soba noodles have a light tea aroma and are worth a try either cold with a dipping sauce or hot in soup.
- Recommended stores:
- Nakamura Tokichi Main Store&mdash;&mdash; Matcha soba noodles paired with tempura are very popular.
🍵 Matcha Ochazuke
Use matcha instead of ordinary green tea to soak rice, which is refreshing and refreshing.
- Recommended stores:
- Ito Kyuemon&mdash;&mdash; Serves matcha tea rice set meal.
🍮 Matcha Pudding &amp; Cheesecake
The taste is delicate and the bitter-sweet balance of matcha.
- Recommended stores:
- Tsujirihei Main Store&mdash;&mdash; The matcha pudding and matcha cheesecake are both great.
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3. Recommended Matcha Shops You Must Visit
Nakamura Tokichi Honten
- Features: Uji Matcha&#39;s representative shop, almost all Matcha desserts can be found here.
-Must order: Matcha Parfait, Matcha Warabimochi, Matcha Jelly.
- Tips: This store is next to JR Uji Station and there are often queues, so it is recommended to go early!
Itoh Kyuemon
- Features: There are abundant matcha souvenirs, and you can enjoy matcha desserts and light meals in the store.
- Must-order: Matcha Tiramisu, Matcha Curry Udon (unique flavor!).
Tsujirihei Honten
- Features: 160-year-old shop, famous for its matcha drinks and ice cream.
- Must-order: Matcha shaved ice (Kakigori), Matcha Mont Blanc.
Tsuen Tea House
- Features: Japan&#39;s oldest tea house, traditional matcha + dango combination.
- Must order: Matcha + soy sauce dumplings (the combination of sweet and salty is surprisingly delicious).
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4. Recommended Matcha Souvenirs
1. Matcha Powder - The matcha powder produced by Nakamura Tokichi and Ito Kyuemon is of extremely high quality.
2. Matcha Chocolate &amp; Cookies &ndash; Tsujiri&rsquo;s matcha chocolate filling is very popular.
3. Nama Yatsuhashi &ndash; The most classic matcha flavor.
4. Matcha Yokan - Fukujuen&#39;s Matcha Yokan is sweet but not greasy.
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🚶&zwj;♀️ Uji Matcha One-Day Tour Route Suggestions
1. JR Uji Station &rarr; Nakamura Tokichi Main Store (breakfast/desserts)
2. Byodoin Temple (Visit the World Heritage Site and Drink Matcha)
3. Ito Kyuemon (Lunch + Souvenir Shopping)
4. Stroll along the Uji River &rarr; Doen Tea House (afternoon tea)
5. Tsujirihei Main Store (have a matcha latte at the end!)
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📌 Tips
✅ Go early: Famous stores (such as Nakamura Tokichi) often have long queues, so it is recommended to arrive before 10 o&#39;clock.
✅ Prepare cash: Some old stores only accept cash.
✅ Seasonal limited edition: There are special editions such as Sakura Matcha in spring and Chestnut Matcha in autumn.
Uji is a paradise for matcha lovers, you can feel the deep aroma of tea in every sip! If you have enough time, you can also experience the &quot;Matcha Making Workshop&quot; (both Fukujuen and Ito Kyuemon), grind matcha by hand, and experience the tea ceremony culture.
I hope this guide can help you taste the most delicious matcha in Uji~🍵💚

The product produced by Uji Fukujuen is the most familiar Iemon series of tea drinks! Their Uji tea workshop is located on the banks of the beautiful Uji River. The workshop is divided into two floors. The first floor mainly sells a variety of tea products, tea sets and refreshments. The second floor is an orthodox tea room. In addition to different matcha desserts, there are also staple dishes such as Uji tea soba or tea porridge.
Behind the tea room is the experience workshop. Everyone can listen to the instructor&#39;s explanation and learn to grind matcha. After completing the preparation of matcha powder, the instructor will teach everyone how to brew matcha with the ground matcha powder. If you want to experience Japanese tea ceremony and tea culture, don&rsquo;t miss the Uji Tea Workshop in Fukujuen.

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