As the matcha craze sweeps the world in 2025, nothing compares to tasting it where it all began. Why not head to Uji in Kyoto? It’s the birthplace of matcha culture, with over 800 years of careful craftsmanship keeping the tradition alive. For generations, artisans have passed down their matcha-making secrets, and the best matcha is created by the clear waters of the Uji River and by its mild, welcoming climate. Join us as we explore why Uji in Kyoto is celebrated as the heart of matcha culture and uncover the most delightful dessert cafés that bring this tradition to life. Let’s begin this sweet matcha journey with ESIMJAPAN.com.
Why is Kyoto famous for Matcha?
Historical background of Kyoto and Uji
Kyoto’s Uji region boasts a prestigious history of matcha cultivation spanning over 800 years, making it one of Japan’s largest tea-producing regions. Uji has established itself as the cultural heart of Japanese tea since tea seeds were first brought from China during the Kamakura period in 1191AD.
During the turbulent Sengoku period, influential daimyo such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, along with renowned tea masters like Sen no Rikyu and Furuta Oribe, greatly admired Uji tea, enhancing the region’s reputation. A significant innovation came in the 16th century with the invention of the shaded cultivation method, which laid the foundation for modern matcha production. This groundbreaking innovation has solidified Uji’s standing as the leading producer of high-quality matcha.
Climate and Soil Optimized for Matcha Cultivation
The Uji area, with clean water and balanced humidity from the Uji and Gizu rivers, as well as its fertile, sunlit soil, offers ideal conditions for growing high-quality tea leaves. The mist over the Uji River and its mild climate are essential for tea cultivation. These natural conditions create the fresh and subtly sweet flavor unique to Uji matcha. The tea leaves grown in these fields are cultivated using a shading technique called “Kabuse”, which blocks sunlight to boost chlorophyll levels. This process reduces bitterness, resulting in smooth and savory matcha.
Deep Connection with Tea Ceremony Culture
The development of Uji tea is closely related to the growth of Japanese tea ceremony culture, Sadō culture. The tea ceremony in Japan is much more than just drinking tea; It embodies art and philosophy as a form of spiritual culture. Uji’s high-quality matcha has played a central role in these tea rituals.
During the Edo period, Uji developed the Gyokuro production method, while Nagatani Soen innovated tea production by introducing a steaming method that preserved the leaves’ vibrant green color and fresh flavor—an innovation that set Uji’s tea apart from the pan-fired teas of China. Even today, the Uji area is home to traditional tea houses such as Taihoan, Nakamura Tokichi Main Store, and Fukujuen, where visitors can experience matcha culture firsthand.
Top 5 Matcha Dessert Cafes in Kyoto
Saryou Suisen ( 茶寮 翠泉)
About the Café
Located near Shijo in Kyoto, Saryou Suisen is a refined matcha café within a beautifully preserved machiya-style townhouse. Inside the red lattice entrance, a serene space awaits, infused with timeless Japanese charm. The café serves premium Uji matcha in an atmosphere where tradition meets modernity. As a tea wholesaler, Saryou Suisen takes pride in offering exquisite sweets and parfaits made with carefully chosen matcha varieties, each selected to enhance the balance of flavors in every dessert.
Signature menu
- Special Yokubari Matcha Parfait (approx.$6) is a delightful blend of Uji flavours, featuring matcha soft serve, warabimochi(bracken starch jelly), dango (sweet dumplings), anko (red bean paste), baumkuchen, and matcha roll cake. Despite its luxurious appearance, the parfait is pleasantly light and not overly sweet, making it easy to finish.
- Seasonal Limited Parfaits made with fresh fruits
- Various Meal Options available
Café Information
- Location: Near Shijo Station, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
- Business Hours: 10:00–18:00 (Last Order 17:30)
- Ambience: Traditional machiya-style building with a chic and sophisticated interior
- Highlights: Instagram-worthy spot, Finest matcha desserts
- Website: Official Saryou Suisen Website
Tsujirihei Honten (辻利兵衛本店)
About the Café
Founded in 1860, Tsujiri is a heritage tea house that has carried the spirit of Uji’s refined tea tradition for over 150 years, blending timeless craftsmanship with a taste of Japan’s green tea legacy. Its founder, Tsuji Riemon, developed a tea preservation technique known as the “Uroku method“, which helped in elevating the reputation of Uji tea and protected the region’s tea fields from decline even during wartime.
The Uji main store, which was opened in 2016, is designed around the concept of a comprehensive tea experience. The shop’s interior, which is a modern yet traditional aesthetic, creates a refined atmosphere, and its spacious terrace seating allows guests to enjoy the beauty of the garden through all four seasons.
Signature menu
- Tsujiri Soft Kyo Parfait (approx. $4): A delicious delicacy that mixes creamy matcha ice cream, anko (red bean paste), shiratama (rice flour dumplings), and brown sugar syrup. It’s a great blend of typical Japanese dessert flavors.
- Matcha Mont Blanc: Features a smooth and creamy matcha mousse.
- Hojicha/Uji Matcha Parfait: Choose between deep-flavored roasted tea or rich Uji matcha.
- A variety of other desserts, such as Nama Hayashiki, Yokan, and Matcha Chocolates.
Café Information
- Location: Near Uji Station (for Uji Main store) and a 2-minute walk from Kyoto Station (for Kyoto tower branch)
- Business Hours: 09:00–18:00 (varies by branch)
- Highlights: High-quality matcha available for purchase, on-site tastings, and scenic garden views
- Website: Official Tsujiri Website
Shimizu Ippoen (茶匠 清水一芳園)
About the Café
Located in Higashiyama Shichijō, this café is directly operated by a long-established tea wholesaler and is especially popular among women for its Instagram-worthy menu. The richly aromatic matcha is carefully selected by the experienced owner, and the complimentary hojicha (roasted green tea) is just as delightful.
It is the perfect place to take a relaxing break during your trip while enjoying refined Uji tea desserts.
(Note: The café is currently temporarily closed. Please check the official website before visiting.)
Signature menu
- Uji Matcha Espuma Shaved Ice (Kakigōri): The dessert features a vivid green, creamy espuma that melts softly on the palate. The rich matcha syrup, crafted in-house, blends harmoniously with the rare and delicate wasanbon sugar syrup to deliver a feather-light, smooth flavor. Accompanied by sweet red beans, condensed milk, and chewy rice dumplings, it invites guests to customize each bite to their liking.
- Hojicha Parfait: Soft hojicha is popular
- Summer Special Parfait: Special Parfait made from mushrooms, Kinako (roasted soybean flour), and coffee jelly.
Café Information
- Location: Near Shichijō Station, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
- Business Hours: 10:00–17:00 (Last Order 17:30)
- Highlights: Operated by a tea wholesaler, popular SNS hotspot, complimentary hojicha
- Recommended For: Those who enjoy light, airy espuma textures and customizable desserts will love this.
- Website: Official Shimizu Ippoen Website
Nakamura Tokichi (中村藤吉)
About the Café
With a history of over 160 years, Nakamura Tokichi is one of Uji’s most renowned traditional tea houses. The café is housed in a historical building that once served as a tea leaf processing factory during the Meiji and Taisho eras, preserved in its original form. It has been designated as an Important Cultural Landscape of Uji, and still retains the old tools and atmosphere of the tea-farming days.
Located near Byōdō-in Hōō-dō, the café offers a relaxing experience where you can savor matcha desserts while gazing over the beautiful Uji River. The open, modern-Japanese space blends traditional architecture with a contemporary aesthetic, creating an inviting and peaceful atmosphere.
Signature menu
- Nama-cha Jelly (Fresh Tea Jelly): Served in an elegant bamboo container, this dessert feels like a special gift, with a deep, rich aroma tea jelly that boasts a soft texture and balanced sweetness. The ingredients used vary with seasons, allowing guests to enjoy flavours from Japan’s various seasons.
- Maruto Parfait: Summer special parfait showcasing the rich flavour of matcha
- Uji no Fukiyose: A masterpiece dessert platter combining matcha ice cream and matcha cake.
- Matcha udon & matcha soba: Meals are also available, making it an ideal spot for matcha enthusiasts
Special experience
Tea Ceremony Experience “Suishō-an”, where guests can grind tea leaves themselves using a traditional mill and taste both thick tea (Koicha) and thin tea (usucha) to appreciate the depth and artistry of Japanese tea culture.
Café Information
Locations:
- Byōdō-in Branch: 5-1 Uji Renge, Uji City (5-minute walk from Byōdō-in main gate)
- Main Store (Honten): Near Uji Station
- Kyoto Station Branch: Inside Kyoto Station restaurant area (shorter wait time)
- Business Hours: 10:00–17:00 (Last Order 16:30, varies by branch)
- Highlights: Historic building, scenic Uji River view, hands-on tea ceremony experience
- Recommended For: Fresh tea jelly served in bamboo, enjoying seasonal variations in flavor and presentation
- Website: Official Nakamura Tokichi Website
Ito Kyuemon (伊藤久右衛門)
About the Café
With a legacy of over 100 years, Ito Kyuemon has long been dedicated to sharing the value of Uji tea. Renowned for its commitment to freshness, the café grinds carefully selected tea leaves using traditional stone mills. As a long-established tea house that preserves Uji’s traditional tea culture, Ito Kyuemon offers not only tea sales and wholesale services but also a serene tearoom where guests can enjoy exquisite matcha-based desserts. The matcha from Uji is made by slowly stone-grinding handpicked leaves, a traditional technique that showcases Ito Kyuemon’s dedication to valuing fresh flavors above all.
Signature menu
- Special Yokubari Matcha Parfait: A lavish parfait topped with matcha roll cake, tea-flavored dumplings, warabimochi (bracken starch jelly), and other sweets. Despite its rich presentation, it offers a refreshing taste without excessive sweetness.
- Uji Matcha Cheesecake “Midori no Sanpomichi”: A delightful harmony of premium Uji matcha and rich cream cheese, pairing perfectly with both coffee and tea.
- Matcha Soft Serve Ice Cream: Smooth and rich in authentic matcha flavor.
- Seasonal Limited Parfaits: Parfaits featuring fresh, seasonal fruits.
Café Information
Locations:
- Uji Main Store: 5-minute walk from Keihan Uji Station
- Multiple branches, including Kyoto Station Store
- Business Hours: 10:00–18:30 (varies by location)
- Highlights: Over 100 years of tradition, freshly stone-ground matcha, and multiple convenient locations
- Recommended For: The perfect combination of matcha and cream cheese; easy access across Kyoto
- Website: Official Ito Kyuemon Website
Savor the Spirit of Matcha in Kyoto’s Tea Capital, Uji
Each café in Uji, the birthplace of matcha, boasts its own unique charm and story. Saryou Suisen captivates visitors with its elegant parfaits layered with fresh, seasonal fruits, while Tsujiri delights guests with its velvety, traditional soft serve. Shimizu Ippoen impresses with its uniquely airy espuma shaved-topped ice, Nakamura Tokichi presents refreshing tea jelly served in bamboo cups, and Ito Kyuemon tempts with its rich, velvety matcha cheesecake.
Instead of tasting desserts, how about taking part in a tea ceremony or a matcha workshop in Uji? You may be able to grind tea leaves and brew your own tea to experience Japanese tea culture. Blessed with the pure waters of the Uji River, a mild climate, and over 700 years of tea tradition, Kyoto is the perfect place to savor the true essence of matcha. Planning a trip to Kyoto? Don’t miss ESIMJAPAN.com‘s guide to matcha desserts and cultural activities, designed to create lasting memories for your trip.
Note: Business hours and menu items are subject to change. Please check the official website before you visit.
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