Ippodo Tea
Ippodo Tea presentation
Ippodo Tea stands as one of Japan’s most respected tea houses, bringing nearly 300 years of Kyoto tradition to matcha enthusiasts worldwide. Founded in 1717 by Rihei Watanabe in the cultural heart of Japan, this historic brand has perfected the art of selecting, blending, and crafting premium Japanese green teas across generations. Their deep-rooted expertise makes them a trusted name for anyone seeking authentic matcha experience grounded in centuries of refinement.
A Legacy Rooted in Kyoto’s Tea Culture
Kyoto’s tea heritage flows through every aspect of Ippodo’s approach. The brand has maintained its commitment to aromatic, well-balanced teas by honoring traditional methods while ensuring accessibility for modern tea drinkers. This isn’t a company chasing trends—it’s a tea house that has witnessed and shaped Japanese tea culture for three centuries.
Their location in Kyoto, Japan’s historic tea capital, provides direct access to the finest tea-growing regions and the knowledge passed down through master blenders. This geographical and cultural advantage translates into exceptional quality control at every stage.
Comprehensive Matcha Selection and Beyond
Ippodo Tea offers over 40 carefully curated tea varieties, giving matcha lovers genuine choice based on taste preferences and intended use. Their matcha range includes everything from daily drinking grades to ceremonial options, plus special seasonal releases like Tsukikage Special Autumn Matcha.
Beyond matcha, their portfolio encompasses:
- Gyokuro – premium shaded green tea for refined palates
- Sencha – Japan’s most popular steamed green tea
- Bancha varieties including hojicha and genmaicha
- Convenient teabags without quality compromise
- Essential tea utensils and preparation tools
Accessible Expertise for Every Tea Journey
Ippodo bridges the gap between traditional tea ceremony and everyday enjoyment. Their global online shop ships internationally, with dedicated USA and Canada stores for faster delivery. More importantly, they provide educational resources covering preparation techniques, food pairings, and cultural context.
This combination of historical credibility and modern accessibility makes Ippodo an ideal choice for both matcha newcomers exploring quality options and experienced practitioners seeking reliable, time-tested sources. Their balanced approach respects tradition while welcoming all who appreciate fine Japanese tea.
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Matcha produced by Ippodo Tea
Ippodo Tea offers a meticulously curated selection of matcha blends, each crafted with over 300 years of tea-making expertise dating back to 1717. Under the guidance of Masakazu Watanabe, a direct descendant of founder Rihei Watanabe, the company continues to uphold its tradition of exceptional quality.
Signature Matcha Collection
New Harvest Matcha captures the vibrant essence of freshly picked 2025 tea leaves, ground immediately after harvest. This seasonal offering delivers a fragrant aroma with lively, invigorating flavors featuring grassy and vegetal notes with subtle sweetness. Best prepared as usucha (thin tea) at 70°C to prevent bitterness.
Nodoka Matcha represents versatility in a cup, striking a harmonious balance between umami, sweetness, and gentle astringency. Its medium body makes it equally suitable for traditional usucha preparation and modern latte applications. For optimal emulsification, whisk vigorously using water at 80°C.
Organic Matcha delivers a pure, unadulterated experience with crisp, astringent character reflecting the natural essence of organically grown leaves. This blend offers less sweetness and more vegetal notes than other varieties, appealing to those seeking traditional matcha flavors. Certified under Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for organic products.
Sayaka serves as an ideal introduction to Ippodo’s matcha world, offering a smooth blend of umami with subtle astringency hints. Its balanced flavor profile showcases notes of seaweed and mild nuttiness, making it equally enjoyable as usucha or koicha (thick tea). For koicha preparation, use water at 60°C to enhance sweetness and umami.
Ummon-no-Mukashi represents the pinnacle of Ippodo’s craftsmanship, highly esteemed by seasoned connoisseurs. This prized blend offers complex depth with rich umami, subtle sweetness, and a lingering, mellow finish. Best appreciated as koicha using water at 50°C with slow, deliberate whisking technique.
Each blend undergoes rigorous quality control measures throughout production, from leaf selection to final grinding, ensuring consistent excellence that has earned Ippodo recognition as the #1 Japanese matcha brand for 2025 according to industry rankings.
History of Ippodo Tea
Ippodo Tea stands as one of Kyoto’s most venerated tea institutions, with roots stretching back over three centuries. The company’s remarkable journey began in 1717 when Rihei Watanabe established a modest shop called Omiya, initially focusing on both tea and ceramics in the heart of Japan’s ancient capital.
The Evolution of a Tea Dynasty
As Japan’s tea culture flourished throughout the 18th century, Omiya’s focus gradually shifted. While ceramics had been an important part of the business, tea began to capture the founder’s passion and expertise. The shop’s dedication to quality tea became increasingly apparent, attracting discerning customers who appreciated the careful selection and preparation methods.
The defining moment in the company’s history came in 1846, when the shop received its iconic name from an unexpected source. Prince Yamashina, a devoted patron who had developed a deep appreciation for the shop’s exceptional tea, bestowed the name Ippodo upon the establishment. The name, meaning “preserve one,” reflected the Prince’s wish for the shop to forever uphold the tradition of providing exceptional tea to its customers.
Navigating Historical Challenges
Throughout its illustrious history, Ippodo has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of Japan’s dramatic social and economic transformations. During the Meiji Restoration, when Japan opened its doors to Western influence and modernization, the company skillfully navigated the influx of new ideas and technologies while steadfastly preserving its traditional tea-making methods.
This balance between tradition and adaptation has remained a cornerstone of Ippodo’s philosophy. More recently, the company has tackled modern challenges including matcha supply shortages and the proliferation of unauthorized sellers on online platforms, demonstrating its continued commitment to protecting brand integrity and maintaining quality standards.
Generational Continuity
Today, Masakazu Watanabe, a direct descendant of founder Rihei Watanabe, helms Ippodo as president and master blender. This generational continuity ensures that the company’s legacy of quality and tradition endures, while the accumulated wisdom of over 300 years of tea craftsmanship continues to guide every aspect of production.
The Watanabe family’s dedication spans centuries, with each generation adding their own expertise while preserving the fundamental principles that Prince Yamashina recognized in 1846. This unbroken chain of knowledge and commitment has made Ippodo not just a tea company, but a living repository of Japanese tea culture and tradition.
4 events from Ippodo Tea's history
January 1717
Founding of Omiya Shop
Rihei Watanabe established the original shop called Omiya in Kyoto, initially selling both tea and ceramics. This marked the beginning of what would become over 300 years of continuous tea craftsmanship and family tradition in Japan’s ancient capital.
January 1846
Renaming to Ippodo by Prince Yamashina
Prince Yamashina, a devoted patron of the shop’s exceptional tea, bestowed the name Ippodo (meaning ‘preserve one’) upon the establishment. The Prince wished for the shop to forever uphold the tradition of providing high-quality tea, establishing the brand identity that continues today.
January 1868
Surviving the Meiji Restoration
During Japan’s dramatic modernization and opening to Western influence, Ippodo skillfully navigated the influx of new ideas and technologies while steadfastly preserving traditional tea-making methods. This period demonstrated the company’s ability to balance innovation with tradition.
January 2000
Modern Leadership Under Masakazu Watanabe
Masakazu Watanabe, direct descendant of founder Rihei Watanabe, assumed leadership as president and master blender. Under his guidance, Ippodo continues to tackle modern challenges including supply chain issues and brand protection while maintaining the quality standards established centuries ago.
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