Nakamura Tokichi Honten
Nakamura Tokichi Honten presentation
Nakamura Tokichi Honten stands as a living testament to Japanese tea excellence, having served the finest Uji matcha since 1854. For over 170 years, seven generations of the Nakamura family have preserved traditional tea-making artistry while pioneering innovations that shaped the modern matcha industry.
A Legacy Rooted in Innovation
The story of Nakamura Tokichi Honten begins in the heart of Uji, Kyoto—Japan’s most celebrated tea-producing region. What sets this historic tea merchant apart is its remarkable balance between honoring centuries-old traditions and embracing progress. In 1913, the company achieved a groundbreaking milestone by receiving Patent No. 25028 for the electrification of the matcha grinding mill, revolutionizing how tencha leaves are transformed into fine matcha powder.
This pioneering spirit didn’t compromise quality. The company has served imperial ceremonies for generations, a distinction that speaks volumes about the exceptional caliber of their tea. Their main store building, preserved for over 100 years, is now designated as part of Uji’s Important Cultural Landscape.
From Tea Leaves to Cultural Experience
Today, Nakamura Tokichi Honten offers more than premium matcha and green tea products. The main store in Uji features a cafe housed in a renovated tea factory, where visitors can experience authentic tea culture surrounded by history. The 250-year-old Horai Funamatsu pine tree—one of Uji’s 100 famous trees—graces the garden, creating an atmosphere where past and present converge.
Their signature offerings include:
- Premium matcha grades ranging from ceremonial koicha to everyday usucha
- Exclusive MIXCHA matcha latte blends
- Traditional sencha, gyokuro, and hojicha varieties
- Artisanal tea-infused sweets including their famous Tea Jelly served in bamboo cups
The Nakamura Difference
What distinguishes Nakamura Tokichi Honten from other tea producers is their meticulous approach to cultivation and processing. They employ traditional shading techniques to block sunlight during tencha growth, enhancing the natural sweetness and reducing bitterness. Each tea grade reflects careful selection—higher grades offer deeper emerald green hues, complex umami profiles, and elegant aromas with minimal astringency.
The company operates six locations across Kyoto, with additional stores in Osaka and Tokyo, yet maintains the intimate character that defined their founding. Whether you’re discovering matcha for the first time or seeking the finest ceremonial grades, their knowledgeable staff guides you through selections that match your preferences and brewing style.
Preserving Tea Culture for Future Generations
Beyond selling tea, Nakamura Tokichi Honten educates visitors about proper brewing techniques, storage methods, and the philosophy behind Japanese tea culture. Their workshops offer hands-on experiences grinding tencha with traditional millstones and participating in tea ceremonies in historic tea rooms rarely open to the public. This commitment to education ensures that the art of Japanese tea continues to thrive in modern times.
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Matcha produced by Nakamura Tokichi Honten
Nakamura Tokichi Honten offers an exceptional range of matcha products, each crafted from Kyoto-grown first flush tea leaves that showcase the brand’s mastery of traditional Uji tea production. Their matcha is distinguished by its smooth umami, gentle sweetness, minimal bitterness, and vibrant color – characteristics achieved through meticulous cultivation and processing techniques refined over 170 years.
Premium Matcha Collection
The brand’s ceremonial-grade offerings include Uji-no-Mukashi (Uji’s Past), celebrated for its deep umami, subtle sweetness, and velvety texture. This premium matcha exemplifies the brand’s commitment to excellence and represents the pinnacle of their traditional craftsmanship. Additional ceremonial grades include Fuji no Shiro (White Fuji) and Seikan no Shiro (Pure White), each offering distinct flavor profiles suited for traditional tea ceremonies and mindful moments.
Versatile Product Range
Beyond ceremonial grades, Nakamura Tokichi provides premium and standard grade matcha designed for everyday enjoyment and culinary applications. Their starter packs make authentic Uji matcha accessible to newcomers, while their premium grades offer balanced flavor and vibrant color perfect for lattes and daily consumption. Standard grades provide versatile, approachable flavors ideal for baking and culinary creations.
Signature Nakamura Tea Blend
The brand’s innovation extends to Nakamura-cha (Nakamura Tea), their original Japanese tea blend combining seven different tea leaves including sencha, gyokuro, and tencha (matcha’s base tea). This proprietary blend uses a secret ratio and method developed by the Nakamura family, showcasing their expertise in harmonizing different tea profiles to create a unique and balanced flavor experience. Learn more about Nakamura-cha.
Each product reflects Nakamura Tokichi’s philosophy of preserving traditional tea-making methods while embracing modern innovation, ensuring that every cup captures the authentic spirit of Japanese tea culture developed over generations in Uji.
History of Nakamura Tokichi Honten
Nakamura Tokichi Honten represents one of Japan’s most enduring matcha dynasties, with roots extending back to 1819 when the parents of founder Tokichi Nakamura first met. Born in 1832, Tokichi began his journey in tea around 1840 as an apprentice under Hoshino Soi, learning the intricate arts of Uji tea cultivation and processing.
The official establishment came in 1854 when Tokichi founded his tea shop at its current location in Ujibashi-dori, Kyoto. The business underwent several name changes, operating as Hoshino Soyotei Nakamura Tokichi, Maruya Tokichi, and Nakamura Tokichi before adopting the distinctive Maruto brand name, derived from Maruya Tokichi.
Strategic expansion marked the late 19th century as the company established branches in the Sanin region, including Yonago and Matsue, supported by the influential Hoshino family. This geographic growth solidified Nakamura Tokichi’s presence across Japan’s tea markets.
The family’s civic engagement peaked when Nakamura Tokichi III (Uyoshi) served as mayor of Uji Town, demonstrating their deep community roots. Innovation became a defining characteristic when the company successfully electrified their matcha grinding mill, earning Patent No. 25028 for the revolutionary Nakamura-style Matcha Grinding Machine.
Imperial recognition followed with presentations during the enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa, cementing the brand’s reputation for exceptional quality. The transformation of their historic tea factory into a café allowed visitors to experience Uji tea culture firsthand, while both the main store and Byodo-in Store received designation as Important Cultural Landscapes of Uji.
Today, Nakamura Tokichi continues crafting matcha from Kyoto-grown first flush tea leaves, maintaining the smooth umami, gentle sweetness, and vibrant color that has defined their products for over 170 years. Their proprietary Nakamura tea blend combines seven different tea varieties, including sencha, gyokuro, and tencha, using secret ratios perfected across generations.
5 events from Nakamura Tokichi Honten's history
January 1854
Founding of Nakamura Tokichi Honten
Tokichi Nakamura established his tea shop at the current location in Ujibashi-dori, Kyoto, after apprenticing under Hoshino Soi since 1840. The shop initially operated under various names including Hoshino Soyotei Nakamura Tokichi and Maruya Tokichi before settling on the Maruto brand name.
January 1912
Civic Leadership and Community Service
Nakamura Tokichi III (Uyoshi) served as mayor of Uji Town, demonstrating the family’s deep commitment to their local community and establishing their role as civic leaders beyond the tea industry.
January 1913
Revolutionary Matcha Grinding Innovation
Nakamura Tokichi Honten successfully electrified their matcha grinding mill and received Patent No. 25028 for the Nakamura-style Matcha Grinding Machine, modernizing production while preserving traditional methods and setting new industry standards.
January 1915
Imperial Recognition Under Emperor Taisho
The company’s exceptional tea was presented during the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Taisho, marking the beginning of imperial recognition and establishing Nakamura Tokichi as a purveyor of the highest quality matcha to the Japanese imperial court.
January 2009
Cultural Heritage Designation
Both the main store and Byodo-in Store were designated as Important Cultural Landscapes of Uji, officially recognizing their historical and cultural significance in preserving traditional Japanese tea culture and architecture for over 150 years.
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