Collection: Houkouen

Houkouen has been shaping Uji’s tea landscape for over 160 years. Founded in the late Edo period, it stands among Kyoto’s tea houses—not the oldest, but firmly rooted in Uji’s traditions. Four generations have carried it forward, blending heritage with quiet innovation. Today, the fourth-generation owner, Kitamura, continues the craft—selecting, blending, refining.

From cultivation to packaging, every step is managed in-house or through trusted hands. Freshly ground matcha, freshly roasted hojicha—immediacy matters. Their gougumi blending technique ensures balance, drawing on leaves from their own gardens and long-standing farmer partnerships. The result: teas with clarity, depth, and restraint.

A respect for time defines Houkouen—not just in aging matcha for peak expression, but in the patience behind every step. There’s nothing excessive here. Just tea, handled with care.

—Adel, Sushe Chaguan