Match, a powerful green drink from Uji, near Kyoto is one of the most popular drinks across the world, for their health benefits. Although matcha and its products are available worldwide, the purest form can only be obtained at its origin – Kyoto. The mild climate of the mountains and mist from the nearby Uji River keep Camellia sinensis in the perfect spot to derive the purest quality matcha. The plant is grown in shade and the leaves are crushed to form vibrant shades of green, emulsifying the essence of each leaf.

Kyoto is renowned for its centuries-old tea ceremonies and traditions, offering the finest matcha anyone will ever get their hands on! If you’re a fan of this vibrant green tea or curious about exploring its rich flavors, Kyoto’s matcha cafés are a must-visit. In this article, we’ll explore the best matcha spots in Kyoto, each offering a unique experience that blends tradition, flavor, and innovation.

Tsujiri – Uji

Uji City, near Kyoto, is the hometown of matcha cultivation. Its distinctive sweet and mild flavor provides an upper hand in the sea of Japanese teas. Tsujiri is a historic tea shop opened in 1860, offering a comprehensive tea experience to its visitors.

Its main store opened in 2016, serving high-quality matcha, on-site gyokuro tasting, and matcha-based desserts. It’s a traditional, yet modern style building with a spacious terrace seating that caters to all kinds of customers. The café’s history and commitment to quality make it a must-stop for anyone seeking authentic matcha treats.

Address: 156, Uji Myoraku, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture 611-0021 (Ujibashi Street)

Hours: 10:00 to 18:00

Holidays: New Year Holidays

Phone: 0774-94-6990

Website: https://www.kataoka.com/tsujiri/shop/ujihonten/

Recommended dish: Matcha Parfait, Matcha Latte, Matcha Soft serve

Nakamura Tokichi Main Store

Nakamura Tokichi is also one of the most popular matcha stores in Uji. When you enter through the curtains, it feels like traveling back in time to ancient Japan. It was once a tea factory and still beholds some of the essence of the place, hence the store is designated as an Important Cultural Landscape (ICL). The café’s serene atmosphere perfectly complements the artistry of its matcha offerings.

One of the stores’ main attractions is the Zuisoan tea room, where guests are allowed to grind tea leaves using a stone mortar and sample the differences between various tea blends.

Address: 10 Uji Ichiban, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Hours: 10:00 to 17:30

Holidays: Seasonal Holidays

Phone: +81-774-22-7800

Website: https://global.tokichi.jp/

Recommended Dish: Matcha Jelly with red bean paste, Warabi Mochi with Matcha, Matcha Sobacha Latte

Mitsunoshein Kanbayashi Sannyu Main Shop

This cute and cozy cafe is located at the entrance of Byodoin Temple in Uji. With a history spanning over 400 years, it is known for producing high-quality Uji matcha and green tea, reflecting the region’s rich tea culture.

The shop gives a unique experience of a traditional tea store, along with modern elements, highlighting their adaptability to the growing crowd. Customers can enjoy matcha goods and also buy premium tea under the same roof. It’s an excellent stop for anyone looking for authentic Uji matcha while immersing themselves in Japan’s centuries-old tea tradition.

Address: 16 Uji Myoraku, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

Hours: 9:30 to 18:00

Holidays: Seasonal holidays may vary

Phone: +81-774-21-2636

Website: https://www.kanbayashi-sannyu.com/

Recommended dish: Matcha Soft serve, Uji Matcha

Malebranche Roman Forest Cafe – Kyoto Kitayama Store

This Matcha dessert shop specializes in one of the most popular desserts – Cha no Ka, a famous matcha sandwich cookie. The crispy outer layer with the sweet, white inner chocolate layer adds a perfect blend of sweetness and creaminess to the cookie.

The branches of this cafe are available in popular tourist areas like Arashiyama, Kyoto Tower, Kiyomizudera Temple, and much more. It is a comfortable cafe and desert shop that also specializes in desert workshops, to help young minds understand the essence and perfection of dessert making and imparting the richness of matcha in them.

The smell of their signature croissants, and matcha-based pastries, paired with coffee can attract anyone passing by. The ambiance of this family-friendly bakery is forestry, giving a peek of nature inside a cozy cafe.

Address: 30 Otsuka Kitamizocho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto 607-8134, Japan.

Hours: 9:00 to 18:00

Holidays: No specific closures

Phone: +81 75-581-8787

Website: https://www.malebranche.co.jp/store/58/

Recommended dish: Kikori’s Baumkuchen, Cha no Ka, Mont Blanc Butter Croissant

Ippodo Tea Shop Kyoto Main Store

Ippodo is yet another ancient tea shop with over 500 years of rich history and is also a classic choice of premium matcha for locals and tourists. The store got its name in 1846 by Prince Yamashina, who appreciated its dedication to high-quality tea.

Ippodo is located on Teramachi Street, providing a glimpse of the rich artistic atmosphere and a brief dive into the antique shops and galaxies surrounding the streets.

The tea house/ cafe offers 30 different types of Japanese teas while teaching visitors to rightly brew their tea and savor every drop of the rich green liquid. The brewing workshop educates tea enthusiasts on the right temperature and seeping techniques that can impart difference in taste. According to reviews from thousands of visitors, this workshop has helped them understand the mechanics of Japanese tea brewing, and enjoy their benefits on a daily basis.

Address: 52 Tokiwagi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0915, Japan.

Hours: 10:00 to 17:00

Holidays: Second Wednesday of every month

Phone: +81-75-211-4018

Website: https://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/pages/store-kyoto

Recommended dish: Yatsuhashi, Wagashi, Gyokuro, Sencha, Genmaicha and much more

Key Takeaway

Matcha is in the heart of the Japanese and Kyoto is its hometown. The cafes in Uji and Kyoto offer authentic matcha, emphasizing its richness and popularizing it to the world in different ways. Every cafe specializing in matcha sweets, desserts, dishes, and teas imparts its unique essence, bringing out the goodness of the tea leaves and allowing people to savor it till the last drop.

In addition to taste, matcha also has health benefits like boosting metabolism, weight loss, improving focus and clarity, detoxifying, increasing energy levels, improving skin quality, preventing diseases, and much more. Whether you’re a long-time fan of matcha or a newcomer eager to explore its flavors, Kyoto’s top matcha cafés are sure to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the culture, history, and craftsmanship behind every cup. Make sure to visit these iconic spots to indulge in the finest matcha and immerse yourself in Kyoto’s rich tea heritage.