Kyoto is matcha country
Kyoto is matcha country—home to nearby Uji, where shaded tea fields and centuries-old roasters still shape Japan’s green tea culture. You’ll taste it everywhere: in quiet tea ceremonies, café lattes, soft-serve at Nishiki Market, and tins you can bring home.
If you’re buying, choose ceremonial grade for sipping (usucha) and culinary grade for lattes and baking; a mid-tier ceremonial is the best value.
Look for sealed tins with recent pack dates, start with 20–40 g, and finish them within 4–6 weeks after opening.
Below are three easy, central stops—plus what to get at each and how to make it at home.
Where to Buy Matcha in Kyoto or Online
Marukyu Koyamaen
- Buy: Mid-tier ceremonial tin + whisk
- Good for: Straight usucha, gifts
Ippodo Tea
- Buy: Mid-tier ceremonial or usucha set
- Good for: Gifts, consistent quality
Uji Matcha (Nishiki)
- Buy: Culinary-grade for lattes/baking
- Good for: Convenience, dessert stop
Map Official site Buy Online (Nakamura Tokichi)
*Nishiki’s Sawawa doesn’t ship internationally. If you’re outside Japan, order from Uji brands with global shops like Nakamura Tokichi.*
How to Choose the Right Grade
Grades at a glance
- Ceremonial grade — best for sipping straight (usucha). Look for smooth, sweet, low-bitterness, and a vivid spring-green color.
- Culinary grade — best for lattes, baking, smoothies (stronger flavor stands up to milk/sugar).
- Mid-tier ceremonial — best value for most people; save ultra-premium for special occasions.
What to look for
- Freshness: Packed/lot date within ~12 months; once opened, finish in 4–6 weeks.
- Origin: Uji (Kyoto) or Nishio (Aichi) are classic; consistency > marketing terms.
- Color & aroma: Bright jade green, fine as talc, smells sweet/grass-vanilla—not dull/olive or fishy.
- Texture: Ultra-fine (stone-milled); no gritty specks.
- Packaging: Nitrogen-sealed tin (20–40 g). Avoid clear bags or light exposure.
Price cues (ballpark)
- Mid-tier ceremonial: $18–30 / 20–30 g (Japan) or $24–40 in US shops.
- Culinary: $12–22 / 50–100 g.
Quick picks by use
- Straight, no milk: Ceremonial or mid-tier ceremonial.
- Daily latte: Culinary or “latte blend.”
- Baking & ice cream: Culinary (bolder, economical).
Buy smart
- Start with 20–40 g tins.
- Store cool, dark, lid tight; refrigerate after opening if you use it slowly (bring to room temp before opening to avoid moisture).