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Beverages ·Japan's cellar ·Tea shelf ·Ippodo Tea Co.
tea garden · Uji, Japan

Ippodo Tea Co.

Uji, Japan
[{'name': 'Watanabe family', 'role': 'Multi-generation ownership family', 'notes': 'The Watanabe family has maintained Ippodo for over 300 years, through multiple periods of political upheaval, maintaining the same core product philosophy'}] · {'region': 'Uji and surrounding Kyoto prefecture growing areas', 'founded': '1717', 'specialties': ['Ceremonial matcha (multiple grades: Ummon, Kan-un)', 'Gyokuro (Sayamakaori, Shōen)', 'Sencha (Shogyokuro, Kinkaku)', 'Hojicha, Genmaicha, Kyobancha'], 'bc_availability': 'International online orders via ippodo-tea.co.jp; Fujiya Japanese Market Vancouver stocks limited range', 'retail_locations': 'Kyoto flagship (Teramachi, founded 1717); Tokyo store; online international'}
Verified reserve 1

The reputation — the story that sells at the table

Ippodo is the standard reference for Japanese green tea quality internationally — when the New York Times, Wine Spectator, or international sommeliers seek an authoritative source for ceremonial matcha or gyokuro, Ippodo is consistently cited. Their three-century reputation is fully justified: quality control, product consistency, and educational materials are unmatched in the Japanese tea industry. A Ippodo matcha programme in a restaurant immediately signals serious beverage literacy.

Practice
Ippodo (One Sprig of Plum) has operated continuously in Kyoto's Teramachi district since 1717, making it the oldest continuously operating tea shop in Japan. Their philosophy is the direct transmission of traditional Uji tea cultivation and preparation methods — they teach as much as they sell. Every product comes with exact brewing instructions; the shop's consultants are among Japan's most knowledgeable tea educators.
Positioning
ultra_premium · International online orders available year-round; Fujiya Vancouver stocks some expressions. No allocation required.
Importer lines
US — not yet · UK — not yet · Japan — not yet
Each absence is a signal the demand ledger holds.
Where to get it — Pat's Rule

Origin: Ippodo Tea Co., Uji — named here for every reader, everywhere, as the discovery authority.

Local providers for this maker aren't wired yet — when a stockist in your region carries it, this is the page that will say so.

Know who should carry it?

Name the importer, shop, or distributor who belongs on this page. If the checks confirm them, this cellar gets deeper — and you'll be the first to know.

Four fields, nothing more · enters the verification queue · nothing renders publicly until the checks pass