Ippodo Tea Co.

Ippodo is the most internationally recognised of the historical Kyoto tea houses, in continuous operation since 1717. Headquartered just north of Kyoto Imperial Palace, the company sources its tea from contracted farmers in Uji and the surrounding region rather than owning its own gardens, and is responsible for blending, finishing and presenting the final product. Its name is effectively synonymous with traditional Kyoto tea retail.

Founded in the Kyoho era of the Edo period, Ippodo began as a small tea shop near the Teramachi-Nijo intersection in Kyoto. It received its current name - meaning roughly 'preserve only this one' - in 1846 from Prince Yamashina, a calligraphic plaque from whom still hangs in the original store. The Watanabe family has run the business for generations and still controls it today.

Unlike Marukyu Koyamaen, which is rooted in production and grinding, Ippodo's identity is built around tea curation: long-term relationships with specific Uji-region farmers, in-house blending in Kyoto, and a tightly edited catalogue spanning matcha, gyokuro, sencha, bancha and hojicha. Its matcha is ground at a partner facility from contracted tencha; its gyokuro is among the most consistently respected on the Japanese market. The blends are designed to be reproducible year-on-year.

The Kyoto flagship store and adjoining Kaboku Tearoom have become important destinations for serious tea drinkers visiting Japan, offering both retail and on-site preparation of nearly every tea in the catalogue. Ippodo has also opened a New York shop.

Signature teas

• Ummon-no-mukashi Matcha
• Tenju Gyokuro
• Hosen Sencha
• Kaboku Matcha

Certifications

Member of the Kyoto Tea Cooperative

Visiting

The flagship store and Kaboku Tearoom in central Kyoto are open daily; the New York shop offers a similar experience.