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Kitao Matcha: Osaka Skincare House Since 1919

Kitao Matcha pairs ECOCERT-certified organic Uji matcha with chia, açaí, and quinoa across its full Japanese skincare range.
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Who is Kitao Matcha?

Kitao Matcha is a Japanese skincare brand from Osaka, applying organic Uji matcha to formulas with chia, açaí, and quinoa. Its range uses matcha grades by purpose, including cosmetic-grade powder for skincare.

Founded in 1919 by Kawabata family, brand sources matcha from Uji, Kyoto, including Harashima farm. It prioritises Ichibancha, shades plants before harvest, and processes leaves at an ISO 9001 and GMP-certified Osaka facility; ECOCERT organic matcha receives purity and contaminant checks.

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Century-old Japanese matcha skincare innovation since 1919

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Kitao Matcha in details

Since 1919, Kitao Matcha has stood at the intersection of Japanese heritage and modern skincare science. The Kawabata family in Osaka has spent over a century perfecting the art of transforming premium organic matcha into beauty rituals that honor ancestral wisdom while meeting contemporary standards.

A Century-Old Legacy Rooted in Osaka

The Kawabata family’s journey began in 1919, when they first recognized matcha’s potential beyond the tea ceremony. For five generations, they’ve cultivated relationships with select tea farmers and refined extraction methods that preserve matcha’s most potent compounds. This dedication has created a skincare line that carries the weight of tradition without feeling antiquated.

Each product reflects a deep understanding of how green tea antioxidants interact with skin at the cellular level. The family’s approach combines time-tested Japanese beauty principles with rigorous testing protocols.

ECOCERT Organic Certification: Quality You Can Trust

Kitao Matcha holds ECOCERT organic certification, one of the most stringent standards in natural cosmetics. This means every ingredient meets strict criteria for organic farming, sustainable sourcing, and environmental responsibility. The certification isn’t just a label—it’s a promise that what touches your skin comes from verified organic sources.

The brand sources matcha exclusively from certified organic tea gardens that avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This commitment ensures that the antioxidant-rich catechins and chlorophyll remain uncompromised by chemical residues.

Where Science Meets Ancestral Beauty Wisdom

What sets Kitao Matcha apart is the deliberate fusion of old and new. The Kawabata family studies historical Japanese beauty texts while collaborating with dermatological researchers. This dual approach has yielded formulations that deliver measurable results without abandoning the gentle, holistic philosophy of traditional skincare.

Their product range addresses modern skin concerns—oxidative stress, inflammation, uneven tone—using matcha’s natural properties:

  • High concentrations of EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) for antioxidant protection
  • Chlorophyll-rich formulas that support skin detoxification
  • L-theanine content that helps calm reactive skin
  • Vitamin C and E naturally present in ceremonial-grade matcha

For those seeking clean beauty solutions with documented heritage, Kitao Matcha offers a rare combination: products backed by a century of family expertise and certified organic integrity. It’s skincare that respects both your skin and its origins.

About the Kitao Matcha Matcha

Kitao Matcha applies organic matcha to a skincare line that pairs green tea powder with superfoods. The formulas use different matcha grades by application, reserving premium cosmetic-grade matcha for skincare and ceremonial grade for beverages and supplements.

Signature formulas

The Lotion à l'Essence de Matcha et de Chia combines organic matcha with chia seeds, açaí, and quinoa, delivering antioxidants, vitamins, and essential fatty acids that support elasticity. The Crème Visage Matcha & Chia pairs matcha, chia, and açaí with hyaluronic acid to soothe dryness and retain moisture.

Range and quality

The complete routine adds cleansers, exfoliants, and masks built on natural ingredients such as jojoba oil, aloe vera, and chamomile. All matcha is ECOCERT-certified organic, with analysis checks that verify purity, concentration, and freedom from contaminants at each production stage.

Harvest location

Kitao Matcha sources its premium organic matcha exclusively from the Uji region in Kyoto, Japan, long regarded as the birthplace of high-quality tea cultivation. The area's climate, rich soil, and traditional methods shape the matcha's distinctive character.

Partner farms and harvest

The company works with specific partner farms in Uji, including the Harashima farm, which combines manual and mechanical harvesting. The youngest, most tender leaves are hand-picked while machinery gathers more mature leaves. Kitao prioritises Ichibancha, the first spring harvest, prized for delicate flavour and nutrient density. Plants are shaded for several weeks before harvest to raise chlorophyll and L-theanine.

Cultivation and processing

Farms use the ground-cover method to hold soil moisture and temperature, feeding plants with organic fertilisers. Processing takes place at Kitao's ISO 9001 and GMP certified facility in Osaka, where leaves are ground and packaged under controlled conditions.

Kitao Matcha History

Kitao Matcha was founded in 1919 when the Kawabata family established a traditional cosmetics company in Osaka, Japan. Started by the great-grandfather of current head Kazuhiro Kawabata, it blended ancestral Japanese beauty practices with modern scientific methods.

Milestones

  • 1950s — expanded its product range in response to growing demand across Japan.
  • 2019 — marked its centenary by launching a matcha-infused skincare line.
January 1, 1919

The Kawabata family established Kitao as a traditional cosmetics company in Osaka, Japan. Founded by Kazuhiro Kawabata's great-grandfather, the company began with a visionary approach to fusing ancestral Japanese beauty practices with modern scientific methods, laying the groundwork for a century of innovation in skincare and cosmetics.

January 1, 1950

Kitao underwent significant expansion of its product portfolio during the 1950s, responding to growing consumer demand across Japan. This strategic growth phase involved substantial investment in research and development capabilities while maintaining the company's core commitment to natural ingredients and traditional formulation methods passed down through generations.

January 1, 2019

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, Kitao launched its revolutionary matcha-infused skincare line, marking a strategic pivot into premium beauty products. This milestone represented the culmination of decades of research into matcha's beneficial properties for skin health, utilizing ECOCERT certified organic matcha sourced exclusively from the prestigious Uji region of Kyoto.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

What makes Kitao's 2019 matcha skincare launch special for their centennial celebration?

Kitao launched their matcha-infused skincare line in 2019 to commemorate their 100th anniversary, having been founded by the Kawabata family in 1919. This wasn't just a marketing move - it represented the culmination of a century of expertise in traditional Japanese beauty practices combined with modern skincare science. The timing allowed them to leverage both their established reputation and the growing global interest in matcha (powdered green tea) as a beauty ingredient.

How does Kitao's partnership with Harashima farm in Uji ensure authentic matcha quality?

Kitao works exclusively with specific farms in the Uji region of Kyoto, including the renowned Harashima farm, to source their ECOCERT certified organic matcha. This partnership ensures:

  • Access to Ichibancha (first harvest) matcha with the highest nutrient content
  • Traditional shade-growing techniques that increase chlorophyll and L-theanine levels
  • Sustainable farming practices without pesticides or chemical fertilizers
  • Direct quality control from cultivation to processing

This farm-to-skincare approach guarantees the authenticity and potency of their matcha ingredients.

Why does Kitao combine matcha with superfoods like chia and açaí in their skincare products?

Kitao's signature approach combines premium Uji matcha with complementary superfoods to create synergistic skincare benefits. Their Lotion à l'Essence de Matcha et de Chia and Crème Visage Matcha & Chia blend matcha's antioxidants with:

  • Chia seeds - rich in omega fatty acids for skin barrier repair
  • Açaí - provides additional antioxidant protection
  • Quinoa - offers amino acids for skin regeneration

This unique formulation philosophy maximizes the anti-aging and protective benefits beyond what matcha alone could provide.

What's the difference between ceremonial and non-ceremonial grade matcha in Kitao's products?

Kitao strategically uses different matcha grades depending on the product application. For their skincare line, they use high-quality but non-ceremonial grade matcha that maintains excellent antioxidant properties while being cost-effective for topical use. Ceremonial grade matcha from their Ichibancha harvest is reserved for consumable products like beverages and supplements, where the superior taste profile and vibrant color matter most. Both grades undergo the same rigorous quality testing at their ISO 9001 certified facility in Osaka.

How does Kitao's century-old Kawabata family heritage influence their modern production methods?

The Kawabata family's vision since 1919 has been to merge traditional Japanese beauty practices with scientific innovation. Current CEO Kazuhiro Kawabata continues this legacy through their state-of-the-art Osaka facility that combines ancestral knowledge with modern technology. Their production maintains traditional elements like respecting seasonal Ichibancha harvesting while incorporating advanced quality control systems with GMP certification. This balance allows them to preserve the authenticity of Japanese skincare traditions while meeting international safety and efficacy standards.