Yamato Tea, a Lifelong Origin of Nara—A Fragrance Passed Down for 1,200 Years
Nara is a tea village that spreads out among the quiet mountains.
Even today, artisans carefully cultivate tea leaves in mountainous areas such as Tsukigase and Tahara.
Yamatocha, a tea grown in this area, is characterized by its pure aroma and gentle taste, and one sip will leave you feeling a warmth that will instantly relax your soul.
Nara, the land where the origins of tea live on
Tea production in Nara began over 1,200 years ago.
It is said that the beginning of Uda dates back to the early Heian period, when Kobo Daishi, known as Kukai, brought back tea seeds from China and planted them in Uda.
Tea, which was essential for Buddhist training and offerings, eventually spread from temples to towns and cities, becoming deeply rooted in people's lives and culture.
During the Muromachi period, the Nara-born tea master Murata Juko established the idea of "wabicha" (wabi tea).
The spirit of "finding beauty in tranquility" has shaped Japan's tea culture and continues to this day.
Tea cultivation in Yamato, developed with the changing times
During the Meiji period, Nara's black tea was highly acclaimed overseas, and later, as production shifted to green tea, Yamato's tea production underwent a variety of evolutions.
With an increasing variety of teas, including sencha, matcha, hojicha, and Japanese black tea, each cup of tea, imbued with the ingenuity and passion of the maker, exudes a new appeal that fits in with modern lifestyles.
The tea leaves that sprout in the mountains of Yamato are imbued with the "Nara-ness" that has been cultivated over many years and the quiet passion of the makers.
A clear fragrance and mellow flavor nurtured by nature
The mountainous region of Nara, the birthplace of Yamato tea, is blessed with a rich climate with large temperature differences between morning and evening and foggy conditions. This environment brings out the aroma of the tea leaves and creates a clean, refreshing taste.
The aroma rises the moment you brew it, and the mellow flavor spreads in your mouth.
And the soft aftertaste that warms your heart is the greatest appeal of Yamato tea.
