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IKKYU Tea: Direct Importer of Kyushu Matcha

IKKYU Tea sources first-harvest tencha from an organic farm in Kirishima, then stone-mills its matcha in Uji using traditional granite mills.
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Who is IKKYU Tea?

IKKYU Tea is a Kyushu matcha brand that sources first-harvest tencha from an organic farm in Kirishima and stone-mills it in Uji on traditional granite mills. It builds on centuries-old tea terroirs in Yame and Kirishima, producing matcha with rich umami and a creamy texture.

Direct relationships with artisans like Harashima-san and young innovator Takaki-san secure leaves from shaded high-elevation gardens (500–650 m) that raise L-theanine for smoothness. All matcha grades—from ceremonial to competition—pass through granite stone milling in Uji for optimal aroma and texture.

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IKKYU Tea has 1 product on the platform.
Ceremonial Save Ikkyu Tea KEIA Competition Matcha to collection
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IKKYU Tea

Ikkyu Tea KEIA Competition Matcha

Ikkyu Tea KEIA organic matcha is stone-milled from first-flush Tsuyuhikari in Satsuma, with floral pine notes, high umami, and no bitterness.
USD · In stock
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Premium Kyushu matcha from centuries-old tea terroirs

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IKKYU Tea in details

IKKYU Tea bridges continents by connecting tea enthusiasts worldwide with the dedicated farmers of Japan’s renowned tea regions. Based in Fukuoka and working directly with producers across Kyushu, this brand brings authentic Japanese green tea experiences to your cup while maintaining complete transparency about where every leaf originates.

Direct from Farmer to Your Table

IKKYU Tea eliminates intermediaries by sourcing premium matcha and green teas straight from Japanese tea farms. Fresh stock arrives monthly from Fukuoka, ensuring you receive teas at their peak flavor and nutritional value. This direct relationship allows the brand to share the stories and voices of the artisans behind each harvest, transforming every purchase into a connection with centuries-old tea traditions.

Certified tea instructors provide in-depth reviews for each offering, giving you expert guidance on flavor profiles, brewing methods, and optimal preparation techniques. These detailed assessments help you understand exactly what makes each tea distinctive before you buy.

What Sets IKKYU Apart

The brand’s commitment to transparency and traceability means you know precisely where your tea comes from and who produced it. Beyond standard offerings, IKKYU Tea features exclusive blends created specifically for their collection, unavailable anywhere else.

  • Complete origin transparency for every tea in their catalog
  • Monthly fresh stock replenishment directly from Japanese farms
  • Expert reviews from certified tea instructors
  • Exclusive blends and special selections
  • Sustainability initiatives supporting producers and environmental conservation

Beyond the Tea Leaves

IKKYU Tea offers more than exceptional matcha and green tea varieties. Their curated selection includes traditional Japanese teaware from historic pottery regions like Takatori, Karatsu, and Arita, allowing you to experience tea preparation as it was intended. The brand also supports producers through environmental initiatives including tree planting programs and plastic bottle rescue efforts.

Whether you’re exploring gyokuro, sencha, or their specialty matcha selections, each product comes with tea-specific brewing instructions designed to help you achieve the perfect cup every time.

About the IKKYU Tea Matcha

IKKYU Tea sources tencha from a respected organic farm in Kirishima, southern Kyushu, and stone-mills it in Uji on traditional granite mills, selecting only first-harvest leaves for nutrient retention and flavour.

The collection

  • AYAME — ceremonial grade with intense umami and a creamy, full-bodied texture for chanoyu.
  • ITARU — competition grade prized for extraordinary sweetness and captivating fragrance with rich umami depth.
  • TSUYOSHI — organic premium grade, sweet and fragrant with a sophisticated touch of bitterness.
  • MIZUHO — an organic first-harvest sencha and matcha blend with harmonious balance and brilliant green colour.

Grades and processing

Ceremonial, premium and competition grades all pass through granite stone milling in Uji for optimal texture, creaminess and aroma, with shading that raises L-theanine and smooths the flavour.

Matcha from Kagoshima

Kagoshima

IKKYU Tea sources from the mountainous regions of Kyushu, Japan, focusing on Yame in Fukuoka Prefecture and Kirishima in southern Kyushu. It works directly with artisans including Harashima-san, known for organic koucha, and Takaki-san, an innovator among Yame's young producers.

Locations and elevations

Cultivation in Yame occurs at 500 to 650 meters, shaping distinctive flavor. Tencha is sourced directly from a well-established organic farm in Kirishima, alongside the renowned regions of Uji and Hoshino.

Harvesting and milling

  • Hand-picking for premium Gyokuro and top Sencha, selecting the youngest leaves.
  • Harvest scissors and two-person machines for sloped fields; rider-type machines in flatter areas like Kagoshima.

All IKKYU matcha is milled in Uji, where first-harvest leaves are ground on granite stone mills for texture, creaminess and aroma.

IKKYU Tea History

IKKYU Tea is rooted in Kyushu, Japan, a region with more than five centuries of tea-growing heritage. During the Edo period, Lord Omura organised local tea cultivation, and the brand draws inspiration from Oura Kei, a female Nagasaki merchant who pioneered tea exports in the mid-19th century.

IKKYU Tea itself was established in Fukuoka in 2020, sited next to its producers to build direct relationships with Yame artisans.

January 1, 1600

Edo Period Tea Cultivation Foundation

Lord Omura strategically organized tea cultivation in Kyushu during the 17th century Edo period, establishing the foundational infrastructure that would make Kyushu a prominent tea-growing region for centuries to come.

January 1, 1850

Oura Kei's Export Innovation

Visionary female merchant Oura Kei from Nagasaki pioneered tea export efforts in the mid-19th century, connecting Kyushu's hidden tea treasures to international markets and establishing the region's global tea trade legacy.

January 1, 2008

Harashima San's Organic Transition

IKKYU partner Harashima san, a Yame tea producer, transitioned to organic and EU-compliant farming practices, representing the company's commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible tea production methods.

January 1, 2020

IKKYU Tea Company Establishment

IKKYU Tea was established in Fukuoka, positioning itself directly next to tea producers to create direct relationships with artisan farmers in Yame and other Kyushu regions, focusing on premium matcha and green tea sourcing.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

What's the difference between IKKYU's ITARU Competition Matcha at $62 and TSUYOSHI Premium Matcha at $57?

ITARU Competition Matcha represents IKKYU's highest tier - a rare, competition-grade matcha with exceptional sweetness, captivating fragrance, and rich umami (savory taste). It contains high levels of both caffeine and theanine, making it perfect for special occasions and connoisseurs.

TSUYOSHI Premium Matcha is designed for maximum focus and energy, packed with caffeine and theanine but with a touch of bitterness alongside its sweet and fragrant profile. While both are premium quality, ITARU's competition-grade status and extraordinary sweetness justify the $5 price difference.

Why does IKKYU source their tencha from Kirishima but mill it in Uji?

IKKYU combines the best of both regions for optimal quality. They source tencha (pre-ground matcha leaves) from a respected organic farm in Kirishima, southern Kyushu, known for producing exceptional first-harvest leaves. However, the milling happens in Uji using traditional granite stone mills - a region synonymous with matcha excellence and home to centuries-old milling expertise.

This approach ensures IKKYU gets the finest raw materials from Kirishima's terroir while leveraging Uji's unmatched milling craftsmanship for optimal nutrient retention, texture, and aroma development.

How does IKKYU's partnership with Yame producers like Harashima san and Takaki san impact their tea quality?

IKKYU's direct partnerships with Yame artisans ensure access to exceptional teas from this 600-year-old tea region. Harashima san specializes in organic Koucha (Japanese black tea) and transitioned to EU-compliant organic farming in 2008, while Takaki san represents the innovative young generation of Yame tea makers.

  • Direct relationships guarantee first access to premium harvests
  • Collaboration with the DOKOCHA team ensures authentic storytelling
  • Support for traditional methods like Shizen-jitate (natural cultivation)
  • Tea sourced from optimal elevations of 500-650 meters

These partnerships allow IKKYU to offer teas that reflect both traditional Yame craftsmanship and modern innovation.

Is IKKYU's MIZUHO blend at $15 suitable for daily drinking compared to their ceremonial grades?

MIZUHO Premium Sencha & Matcha Blend is specifically designed as IKKYU's refreshing daily option. This organic blend combines premium first-harvest sencha with organic matcha, creating a vibrant summer beverage that's both energizing and approachable.

Unlike IKKYU's ceremonial grades like AYAME ($27) or competition-grade ITARU ($62), MIZUHO offers a harmonious flavor profile perfect for regular consumption without the intensity of pure ceremonial matcha. At $15 for 50g, it provides excellent value for those wanting daily access to IKKYU's quality standards.

What makes IKKYU's AYAME Premium Matcha ceremonial-grade at $27?

AYAME Premium Matcha achieves ceremonial grade through IKKYU's meticulous sourcing and processing standards. Made from carefully shaded first-harvest leaves that increase L-theanine and antioxidant concentration, AYAME delivers the intense umami flavor and luxuriously creamy texture essential for traditional tea ceremonies.

The leaves undergo IKKYU's signature process: sourced from their Kirishima organic tencha farm and milled using traditional granite stone mills in Uji. This combination creates AYAME's perfectly balanced, aromatic profile with an unforgettable full-bodied character that justifies its ceremonial classification.