---
title: "Shogyokuen: Uji Producer, Seven Generations Since 1827"
description: "Shogyokuen blends Uji Hikari, Okumidori, and Samidori tencha into 13 matcha grades under seventh-generation tea master Hiroshi Kobayashi."
image: "https://best-matcha.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo03.png"
---
# Shogyokuen: Uji Producer, Seven Generations Since 1827

> Shogyokuen blends Uji Hikari, Okumidori, and Samidori tencha into 13 matcha grades under seventh-generation tea master Hiroshi Kobayashi.

Source: https://best-matcha.com/shop/shogyokuen
Created: 2025-09-27T05:41:15+00:00
Modified: 2026-08-05T13:44:58+00:00
Author: Emilie Schol

**Shogyokuen** stands as one of Uji’s most distinguished tea producers, with the Kobayashi family stewarding the art of *premium matcha* production since 1827. For nearly two centuries, this family-run operation has refined the highest quality leaves from Kyoto, transforming them into matcha that once graced the tables of Japan’s aristocracy and samurai elite.

### Seven Generations of Tea Mastery

The legacy began in the 10th year of the Bunsei era when the Kobayashi family inherited their first tea garden in Uji, the birthplace of Japanese tea culture. In 1923, Jiuemon Kobayashi officially established **Shogyokuen Seicha**, marking the formal founding of the company. Today, seventh-generation tea master **Hiroshi Kobayashi** leads the operation—one of only 13 professionals in all of Japan to hold the prestigious rank of level 10 tea appraiser.

This exceptional certification represents decades of expertise in evaluating tea quality, aroma, and flavor profiles. Hiroshi’s masterful blending skills have earned Shogyokuen consistent top rankings at tea competitions throughout the pre-war, post-war, and modern eras.

### From Cultivation to Cup

**Shogyokuen** maintains complete control over their tea production process, managing everything from cultivation in Wazuka’s nutrient-rich fields to final refinement in their Kyotanabe facility. This vertical integration ensures *uncompromising quality standards* at every stage. The company produces both ceremonial-grade matcha for traditional chado practitioners and premium offerings for daily enjoyment.

Their flagship product, Matcha Shogyoku, exemplifies the rich umami flavor that defines the best of Uji tea. The company also produces exceptional gyokuro and sencha varieties, consistently recognized at national competitions.

### Heritage Meets Modern Standards

While honoring traditional methods passed down through generations, **Shogyokuen** operates a modern facility staffed by 12 dedicated employees. The company sources leaves from Kyoto’s premier tea-growing regions, particularly Wazuka and the Kyotanabe area, where centuries of cultivation have created ideal terroir for *exceptional Japanese green tea*.

The Kobayashi family’s commitment to quality over quantity has made Shogyokuen a trusted name among tea ceremony practitioners and matcha enthusiasts worldwide. Their teas deliver the vibrant color, smooth texture, and deep umami that distinguish authentic Uji matcha from all other varieties.

---

## 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


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