TeaChat

I just cracked open my last 20g matcha tin from Ippodo, so I need to restock. Has anyone ordered from Marukyu Koyamaen before? Here are the 2 pages I am looking at: Matcha and Tea School Preferred Matcha. I'm considering some of the following, although I will have to ask them if the different tea school matcha's at the same price point are the same blend, like at Ippodo.

Eiju (2,310yen/20g)
Unkaku (1,628yen/20g)
Iemoto Zabosai favoured Shoka no Mukashi (1,890yen/20g)
Daisosho Hounsai favoured Keichi no Mukashi (2,310yen/20g)
Daisosho Hounsai favoured Shoun no Mukashi (1,890yen/20g)
Iemoto Jimyosai favoured Myofu no Mukashi (2,310yen/20g)
Iemoto Jimyosai favoured Saiun (1,628yen/20g)

The Tenju is some of the most expensive I've seen, 4,200 yen for 20g. Also, they have uji gyokuro, kabu, and sencha too. May have to throw a couple bags into the order-

I've never ordered matcha from them directly, but I have had their matcha before. Its resold in the states by a few companies. The ones that I know of off of the top of my head are Asakichi in SF's Japantown and Matcha and more. If I remember right the ones that I have had are Eiju, Kinrin, and Yugen. I'm not 100% sure on that though.

Have you figured out how to order from them though? It doesn't look like they have an online store. But I wish I knew they offered tencha before. I've been looking for alternate vendors aside from Harney for some Tencha. I just ordered some though sadly.

Like Pentox I've only tried their matcha from third party vendors. Would be curious to know if some finds a way to order directly from them.

I did just notice a "Items you wish to buy" field on their inquiry page. A bit of an odd shopping interface.

I might have to try ordering from them one of these days. <Smacks hand down from ordering>

This place looks really dangerous ... on the wallet. Is there sencha really this good? Interesting site. Thanx, Joel. I will be checking this place out more in my daily window shopping excursions!

Space Samurai wrote:Would be curious to know if some finds a way to order directly from them.

This is the response I got, with ordering instructions below. I will place an order tonight or this weekend. Luckily I have Vonage so an international fax shouldnt cost too much money...

"It is possible to send you directly.
If you place order from us directly, our condition is as follows
[Our condition]

1. [The way of freight]
We use EMS (Express Mail Service by Japan Post).
A freight cost is a weight system.

2.[Payment Term]
Card:Visa or Master:
a) Kinds of cards VISA or Mastercard
b) Exp Date, Example : 2003.03 --- 2004.04 (No!! 03/03 --- 04/04)
c) Card Holder’s name
d)Credit number

Please be sure to send the above information by FAX !!

(You must not tell number by e-mail, or you will be embezzled your credit card’s number!)

Our FAX Number :81-774-28-2288
And please let us know “You sent Fax.” via e-mail."

Please do not hesitate to ask should there be some other way in which we could be of assistance.

Sincerely,
----------------------
MARUKYU KOYAMAEN CO.,LTD
CLOSED: AUGUST:3,10,14,15,16,17,23,24,30,31
TEL +81(0)774-21-3151 / FAX +81(0)774-28-2288
E-mail: info@marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp
http://www.marukyu-koyamaen.co.jp "

The explanation for not sending credit card numbers via email is well put . I can't wait to taste their Tea though, it's what they served at the Urasenke NYC ceremony I attended and it was delicious.

I bought a tin of their Tsubokiri last year in Kyoto. When I got back home, I emailed them to ask them where I could get their matcha in the States. They directed me to Matcha Source and Matcha and More...that was it.

Let me know how this goes, I'd like to order from them directly myself.