Marukyu-Koyamaen Nishinotoin Tea Shop & Tea House Motoan 2024

In November 2024, I made a return visit to Marukyu-Koyamaen's MOTOAN tea house and tea shop on Nishinotoin-dori in Kyoto.  This was something I had looked forward to since the previous visit that I wrote about in 2015.

I spent the early morning visiting nearby Nijojo Castle and arrived shortly after the tea house opened.  It was quite peaceful and I enjoyed an uninterrupted view of the garden.

My tea was CHOAN matcha usucha (thin tea) with a chestnut-filled wagashi (tea sweet).  The tea service was formal, as was the tea bowl, and the complimentary water served in cut glass was refilled regularly.  

The tea shop at the front was bustling by 11am with a line forming out the door.  Due to the worldwide popularity of matcha, many varieties were out of stock and the tea shop had to limit most matcha purchases to one tin per customer.  However, they did permit a second tin if it was one of their seasonal releases like their autumnal Tsubokiri matcha.

Address: 

〒604-8277京都府京都市中京区西洞院通御池下ル西側

〒604-8277 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Sanbonishitoincho, ５６１ 西側

Hours:
Nishinotoin Tea Shop: Thursday-Tuesday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, Closed Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesdays

MOTOAN Tea House: Thursday-Tuesday 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Closed Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesdays

Tea Review: Harukasumi (Marukyu-Koyamaen/Matcha and More)

Harukasumi/春かすみ Matcha
Marukyu-Koyamaen/丸久小山園/Matcha and More
Type: Green
Origin: Japan
Product Description:  Not provided.

Temperature: 175° F

Tea Amount: ~1 gram (1 teaspoon)
Water: ~2 ounces (1/4 cup)

The matcha powder is vivid green with a sweet, nutty, and savory aroma.

The aroma in the warmed bowl is deeply savory with cooked edamame (soy bean), marine (sea air), mild grass, and mineral notes.

After whisking, the matcha aroma became sweet and more prominently green with edamame and mineral notes.  The taste was smooth, creamy, and mellow with mild notes of edamame.

Harukasumi is only available in springtime, from early March to the end of April.  It can be used as both usucha (thin tea, standard preparation) and koicha (thick tea).  The mellow characteristics of this matcha give a sense of a gentle spring breeze and I suspect it would make a pleasant koicha.

This tea was purchased by me.

Tea Review: Tsubokiri Matcha (Marukyu Koyamaen)

Advent Tea Calendar Day 9

Tsubokiri Matcha
Marukyu Koyamaen/丸久小山園
Type: Green
Origin: Japan
Product Description:  Not provided.

Temperature: 175° F

Tea Amount: 1 gram (1 teaspoon)
Water: 2 ounces (1/4 cup)

The matcha powder is boldly green with a savory aroma of seasoned wood and salty marine green nori.

The aroma in a warmed bowl is richly green and nutty.

After whisking, the matcha developed  an aroma that is sweet and vine green with notes of cooked edamame.  The taste is smooth, creamy and richly green.

Tsubokiri Matcha is ideal for usucha (thin tea) and available seasonally in Autumn.  With a pleasantly rich and mellow taste, this matcha could easily be enjoyed alone or paired with food or the traditional wagashi.

Marukyu-Koyamaen Nishinotoin Tea Shop & Tea House Motoan 2015

Marukyu Koyamaen/丸久小山園 tea shop and Tea House Motoan/元庵 are located on Nishinotoin-dori in Kyoto, a short walk from Nijo Castle.

The tea shop is located just inside the entrance.  Here you'll find a great selection of award-winning teas and you might even see their matcha grinder in action.

Seating for Tea House Motoan is to the back, alongside a tea garden with a glimpse of a chashitsu (tea room) for tea ceremony.  Ambient lighting, instrumental music, and a tokonoma with scroll and floral arrangement set the mood for enjoying fine teas.

I requested the matcha set with CHOAN usucha (thin matcha) and kurikinton wagashi (tea sweet). Water service was generous and was served in cut glass with a touch of gold where it had been repaired with kintsugi, bringing a welcome wabi sabi feeling to the tea service.

After I finished the matcha and wagashi, I was treated to a cup of Marukyu Koyamaen's seasonal Tsubokiricha sencha. This was a happy coincidence because I had planned before my visit to purchase their Tsubokiri matcha.

Address: 〒604-8277京都府京都市中京区西洞院通御池下ル西側

Hours:
Tea Shop: Mon-Sat 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Closed Sunday

Tea House Mon-Sat 10:30 am to 5:00 pm
Closed Sunday