Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten/上林春松本店 has been producing tea in Uji since 1558.  Tea processing was done in what is now the Kanbayashi Kinenkan Memorial Hall until a new modern factory was opened just 2 kilometers away.

Kanbayashi Shunsho's teas have been sold exclusively through high-end retailers until 2010 when this first tea shop opened on Uji-bashi Dori next to Kanbayashi Kinenkan Memorial Hall.

Inside the tea shop, you'll find their entire line of teas, teaware, and gifts. In addition to matcha and loose leaf teas, Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten is also known for its popular Ayataka bottled teas.    

Visitors are greeted with a sample of freshly prepared tea.  I enjoyed the Baisen Hiirecha sencha sample so much that I had to take some home.

For visitors who want to relax with a cup of tea, there is an attached room with tables and chairs overlooking the lovely miniature tea garden.

Address: 〒611-0021 宇治市宇治妙楽38-2
〒611-0021 Kyōto-fu, Uji-shi, Uji, Myōraku−38−2

Hours:  

9:00am to ~[closing time is flexible]

Tea Review: Baisen Hiirecha (Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 3

Baisen Hiirecha
Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten/上林春松本店
Type: Green
Origin: Japan, Uji
Product Description: Not Provided.

Temperature: 175° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of peanuts, sunflower seeds, and green grass with sweet and marine notes.

The bright green infusion has an aroma of nuts, sunflower seeds, and green grass.  The taste is nutty and green with savory umami, and a clean green finish.

Three infusions produced savory, full-flavored results with a pleasant sweetness developing by the third steeping.  With a thick umami and nutty flavor, this tea could almost pass for a meal and the astringency was pleasantly mild throughout.