--- title: "IKKYU Tea: Direct Importer of Kyushu Matcha" description: "IKKYU Tea sources first-harvest tencha from an organic farm in Kirishima, then stone-mills its matcha in Uji using traditional granite mills." image: "https://best-matcha.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ikkyu_logo.webp" --- # 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. Source: https://best-matcha.com/shop/ikkyu Created: 2025-10-09T13:14:23+00:00 Modified: 2026-08-05T13:42:47+00:00 Author: Emilie Schol **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 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. --- ## Site identity - Organization: Best Matcha (Emilie Schol) - Description: Best Matcha is a specialized marketplace and educational platform for comparing Japanese matcha brands, products, grades, prices, and preparation guidance. It connects tea enthusiasts with producers and provides source-conscious guides for making informed choices. - Website: https://best-matcha.com ```json [{"@type":"WebPage","url":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com#website"},"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com#organization"},"inLanguage":"en-US","datePublished":"2025-10-09T13:14:23+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-05T13:42:47+00:00","primaryImageOfPage":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ikkyu_logo.webp","width":209,"height":208,"caption":"Logo of the brand IKKYU Tea"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":{"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu#brand"},"hasPart":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What's the difference between IKKYU's ITARU Competition Matcha at $62 and TSUYOSHI Premium Matcha at $57?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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.\nTSUYOSHI 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."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Why does IKKYU source their tencha from Kirishima but mill it in Uji?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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.\nThis 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."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How does IKKYU's partnership with Yame producers like Harashima san and Takaki san impact their tea quality?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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.\n\nDirect relationships guarantee first access to premium harvests\nCollaboration with the DOKOCHA team ensures authentic storytelling\nSupport for traditional methods like Shizen-jitate (natural cultivation)\nTea sourced from optimal elevations of 500-650 meters\n\nThese partnerships allow IKKYU to offer teas that reflect both traditional Yame craftsmanship and modern innovation."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is IKKYU's MIZUHO blend at $15 suitable for daily drinking compared to their ceremonial grades?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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.\nUnlike 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."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What makes IKKYU's AYAME Premium Matcha ceremonial-grade at $27?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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.\nThe 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."}}],"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu#webpage"},{"@type":"Brand","name":"IKKYU Tea","slogan":"Premium Kyushu matcha from centuries-old tea terroirs","description":"IKKYU Tea sources first-harvest tencha from an organic farm in Kirishima, then stone-mills its matcha in Uji using traditional granite mills.","url":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ikkyu_logo.webp","width":209,"height":208,"caption":"Logo of the brand IKKYU Tea"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ikkyu_logo.webp","width":209,"height":208,"caption":"Logo of the brand IKKYU Tea"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/shop.ikkyu-tea.com\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ikkyu_tea\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ikkyutea","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCUttL5tC3J5HMcjzCjbKJhQ","https:\/\/ikkyu-tea.myshopify.com"],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu#webpage"},"subjectOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu#products"},"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu#brand"},{"@type":"ItemList","name":"Products by IKKYU Tea","url":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu","itemListOrder":"https:\/\/schema.org\/ItemListUnordered","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Ikkyu Tea KEIA Competition Matcha","url":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu\/ikkyu-tea-keia-competition-matcha","item":{"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu\/ikkyu-tea-keia-competition-matcha#product"}}],"@id":"https:\/\/best-matcha.com\/shop\/ikkyu#products"}] ```