Kyoto green teas

[iheartea]

I've just returned from a trip to Kyoto and, of course, I was on the prowl for green tea. The two names that I encountered most often was Tsujiri and Tokichi Nakamura. I bought some sencha at each. I bought two different grades of sencha from Tsujiri, and kabusecha from Tokichi Nakamura. So far, the slightly lower grade of sencha from Tsujiri was excellent. I wish I had more information about the Tsujiri teas, but the language barrier prevented me from getting more details.

For those of you familiar with Kyoto and their tea shops, what is the reputation of Tsujiri and Tokichi Nakamura? Just a little curious for my next visit!

[David R.]

I am interested too cause I am going there in a month. Do you have the exact addresses Iheartea ?

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[JBaymore]

Do you have the exact addresses Iheartea ?

Ahhhh.....addresses in Japan. THERE is a unique problem. They don't do addresses in the manner most in the West are used to.

You probably want a physical location description (on Nijo, 3 blocks from the XXXXXX on the left hand side right after the temple) more than an "address".

best,

............john

[David R.]

I know, I know... You cannot imagine the time I have spent looking for a specific place other there and never find it. ^^ But anyway, it is fun to try and sometimes you end up finding somthing else which was worth it !

I'll google the names.

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[JBaymore]

You cannot imagine the time I have spent looking for a specific place other there and never find it.

Aha... so you are aware. It is truly amazing that the country runs as well as it does given this crazyness. And of course "tradition" keeps them from straightening it all out.

best,

............john

[Robert Fornell]

Tsujiri is in Gion on Sanjo-dori between the Kamogawa River and Higashiyama-dori

http://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/index.html

While Tokichi Nakamura is in Uji which is in Kyoto-fu about 40 minutes from Kyoto by train. It makes for a good day trip.... check out Byodoin as well as the local teaware, Asahi-yaki. For just the goods and not the experience, they have a branch on the 3rd floor of the Kyoto station Isetan department store.....

http://www.tokichi.jp/

With a map to get you to Uji.....


http://map.yahoo.co.jp/pl?p=%B5%FE%C5%D ... 26204.31.8

Enjoy!
R

[David R.]

Many thanks !

This will be very helpful. I am very eager to visit these places cause I only know Ippodo, which is not a bad thing. I am very eager to go to Uji !

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[Robert Fornell]

Many thanks !

This will be very helpful. I am very eager to visit these places cause I only know Ippodo, which is not a bad thing. I am very eager to go to Uji !

David,

If you're heading to Ippodo and looking for a bite to eat, (western food) stop my my friend Tamada-san's bistro "Le Bucheon" which is just down the street as your headed back towards city hall from Ippodo on the corner. Not bad food considering where you are and price. Another good place is Sea ________ (sorry, forgot the whole name) which is on Kiyamachi-dori about 1/2 block N of Oike. Good fusion seafood for folks on a budget.

Have a great trip!
R

[Kevangogh]

There are several Tsujiri green tea companies in that area. The most famous is in Kyoto but there is another one in Uji, and somewhere else.

If you go to Uji (15 - 20 minute train from Kyoto), you would be amiss not to visit the Tsuen teashop - 840 years at the same spot on the foot of the Uji bridge. Japan's oldest teashop. http://www.tsuentea.com/map.htm

[David R.]

That is very kind of you two to give me these addresses. As I will spend quite some time in Kyoto and Uji, feel free to give me your insights on tea(/food) places. Me and my friends will be very pleased and of course we will provide some feedback on our way back, among any other interesting things we would run into.

But what you gave us is already a gold mine !

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PS : ronin, I know very well the area of your friend's restaurant. I love this street so much... It is my n°1 shopping place in Kyoto with the Handicraft Center.

[iheartea]

I am interested too cause I am going there in a month. Do you have the exact addresses Iheartea ?

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Hi David,

I think Ronin provided the addresses very well. Thanks Ronin!

I visited the Tsujiri shop in Gion as well as the Tokichi Nakamura in Kyoto Station. My son and I had indulged in the matcha ice cream and it was absolutely divine! The green tea parfaits looked very yummy, too.

I wish I had more time in Kyoto so that I could have visited Uji. There was no time to make the trip out there on this trip, so I'll just have to return. I had hoped to visit Tsuen, the oldest tea shop, and Hibiki-an to buy some organic green tea. If you're into this sort of thing, they also have cormorant fishing boat tours on the river. I will have to stay overnight next time.

I hope you have a great trip.

iheartea

[David R.]

I hope you have a great trip.

Thanks a lot.

[Robert Fornell]

Hi David,

I thought you might enjoy this as well........

http://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/ma ... in/01.html

The Raku-kan at the Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama which is about 15 min or so from Kyoto Station. Haven't been there myself however it looks impressive. There's always the Raku Bijitsu-kan near Horikawa-Imadegawa as well........ you probably know this however........apologies......

Feel free to email me off my website if you like as I'm happy to try to help you any way I can concerning Kyoto.

Enjoy,
R

[edkrueger]

Go to Ippodi in Kyoto and then Tokichi go to Uji. Actually go to every tea shop in Uji, that is like every third building.