{"title":"LEAF TEA","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"leaf-tea-yabukita","title":"Sencha \"YABUKITA\" (Asamiya, Shiga)","description":"\u003cp\u003eYabukita is the most widely enjoyed tea cultivar in Japan, known as the classic standard of sencha. It offers a refreshing balance of gentle bitterness and subtle sweetness, with a clean, smooth flavor that represents the essence of Japanese green tea.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts mild aroma and harmonious taste make it easy to drink every day. With its crisp finish and light, pleasant character, Yabukita pairs beautifully with meals and is perfect for daily enjoyment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cbr\u003e【Characteristics of Asamiya Tea】\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAsamiya, located on the border of Shiga and Kyoto, is one of Japan’s oldest tea-producing areas.\u003cbr\u003eAt an elevation of about 400 meters, its cool nights, warm days, and frequent morning mists create ideal conditions for tea cultivation, giving Asamiya tea a smooth, refined flavor with natural depth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"1 pack (40g)","offer_id":14701014679625,"sku":"A-020601","price":1667.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 pack (40g)","offer_id":41939063144529,"sku":"A-020602","price":3334.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 packs (40g×3)","offer_id":41939063177297,"sku":"A-020603","price":5001.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 packs (40g×5) 2%off","offer_id":41939063210065,"sku":"A-020604","price":8168.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 packs (40g×10) 5%off","offer_id":41939063242833,"sku":"A-020605","price":15837.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/products\/YUGENYABUKITA.jpg?v=1639291658"},{"product_id":"leaf-tea-goko","title":"Kabuse Sencha \"GOKO\" (Wazuka, Kyoto)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eGokou (Single-Origin)\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGokou is a tea cultivar often used for gyokuro and matcha, known for its rich umami (savory taste) and sweetness. Bitterness is mild, and its flavor is both full-bodied and refined, with a clear sense of depth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe first infusion brings a broth-like richness and a fragrant aroma, leaving a gentle sweetness that lingers. The second infusion softens into a smoother mouthfeel, while a refreshing note unique to this cultivar emerges, adding further depth to the taste.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e・About Kabusecha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKabusecha is a Japanese green tea produced by covering the tea plants to block sunlight.This reduces the level of catechins—the compounds responsible for bitterness and astringency—and highlights the tea’s natural sweetness and umami.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTypically shaded for about one week—shorter than gyokuro’s 20 days—it is often described as a tea between sencha (standard green tea) and gyokuro (high-grade shaded tea), combining the mellow sweetness of gyokuro with the refreshing character of sencha.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"1 pack (40g)","offer_id":14703511928905,"sku":"A-020401","price":2223.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 pack (40g×2)","offer_id":41938977652817,"sku":"A-020402","price":4446.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 packs (40g×3)","offer_id":41938977685585,"sku":"A-020403","price":6669.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 packs (40g×5) 2%off","offer_id":41938977718353,"sku":"A-020404","price":10893.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 packs (40g×10) 5%off","offer_id":41938977751121,"sku":"A-020405","price":21119.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/products\/YUGENgoko50g.jpg?v=1639291580"},{"product_id":"leaf-tea-saemidori","title":"Kabuse Sencha \"SAEMIDORI\" (Wazuka, Kyoto)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name Saemidori means \"clear, vivid green.\" True to its name, it brews a bright, clear green liquor, enjoyed together with a full, rich flavor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBred from Yabukita and Asatsuyu, Saemidori is known as one of the finest sencha cultivars for its rarity and quality. It is especially rich in umami and sweetness, with almost no astringency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrown with care in the natural surroundings of Wazuka, Kyoto, the leaves open in the first infusion with deep umami and sweetness. The second infusion gains depth and moves toward a clean, crisp finish. Cup by cup, the balance of umami and freshness comes forward, showing what makes this cultivar its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e・About Kabusecha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKabusecha sits between sencha and gyokuro. The tea fields are covered to block sunlight, which holds back catechins, the compounds behind astringency, and brings out umami and sweetness. Gyokuro is shaded for about 20 days, kabusecha usually for about one week. The result combines the mellow sweetness of gyokuro with the refreshing character of sencha.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"1 pack (40g)","offer_id":15064204083273,"sku":"A-020501","price":2223.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 pack (40g×2)","offer_id":41939000295505,"sku":"A-020502","price":4446.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"3packs (40g×3)","offer_id":41939000328273,"sku":"A-020503","price":6669.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"5packs (40g×5) 2%off","offer_id":41939000361041,"sku":"A-020504","price":10893.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"10packs (40g×10) 5%off","offer_id":41939000393809,"sku":"A-020505","price":21119.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/products\/YUGENsaemidori50g.jpg?v=1639291789"},{"product_id":"leaf-tea-ujihikari","title":"Gyokuro \"UJIHIKARI\" (Wazuka, Kyoto)","description":"\u003cp\u003eAmong Japan’s finest gyokuro teas, Ujihikari is a Kyoto-born cultivar known for its gentle sweetness and clear, refined umami. When hot water is poured, a rich, elegant aroma rises, and a savory depth—reminiscent of delicate dashi broth—unfolds gracefully across the palate.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere is little bitterness; instead, the tea’s silky texture and lingering sweet finish gently carry on. Its calm yet profound flavor embodies the quiet essence of gyokuro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*Dashi: a traditional Japanese broth, lightly made from kelp and bonito, known for its gentle savory flavor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*Umami: a savory taste regarded as the fifth basic flavor, distinct from sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e【 About Gyokuro 】\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGyokuro is one of Japan’s most refined green teas, grown using a special shading method that enhances its sweetness and umami. About 20 days before harvest, the tea plants are covered to block sunlight, reducing bitterness and increasing theanine—the source of its rich, smooth flavor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis careful cultivation gives Gyokuro a deep umami taste, gentle sweetness, and velvety texture. When brewed slowly at a low temperature, it offers a mellow, full-bodied flavor with a long, elegant finish—capturing the quiet essence of Japanese tea.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"1 pack (40g)","offer_id":32404057030737,"sku":"A-020101","price":3936.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 pack (40g×2)","offer_id":41938871287889,"sku":"A-020102","price":7872.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 packs (40g×3)","offer_id":41938871320657,"sku":"A-020103","price":11808.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 packs (40g×5) 2%off","offer_id":41938871353425,"sku":"A-020104","price":19286.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 packs (40g×10) 5%off","offer_id":41938871386193,"sku":"A-020105","price":37392.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/products\/YUGENujihikari.jpg?v=1639292241"},{"product_id":"leaf-tea-okumidori","title":"Sencha \"OKUMIDORI\" (Wazuka, Kyoto)","description":"\u003cp\u003eOkumidori is a Japanese green tea cultivar known for its refined balance of gentle bitterness and floral aroma. At YUGEN, we carefully craft our Okumidori to achieve harmony between its crisp astringency and deep sweetness, resulting in a smooth and elegant character.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe second infusion reveals a softer taste, where the bitterness gently fades into a pleasant depth. Its clear green color is calming, and it can be enjoyed several times by adjusting the water temperature. This tea pairs beautifully with Japanese cuisine and is also served at traditional restaurants across Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"1 pack (40g)","offer_id":41364158054481,"sku":"A-020201","price":1760.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 pack (40g×2)","offer_id":41938959335505,"sku":"A-020202","price":3520.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 packs (40g×3)","offer_id":41938959368273,"sku":"A-020203","price":5280.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 packs (40g×5) 2%off","offer_id":41938959401041,"sku":"A-020204","price":8624.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 packs (40g×10) 5%off","offer_id":41938959433809,"sku":"","price":16720.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/products\/YUGENokumidori50g.jpg?v=1641386473"},{"product_id":"leaf-tea-first-flush-tea","title":"Shincha 2026 (New Harvest Green Tea)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e*Our 2026 shincha has now sold out for the season. We sincerely thank everyone who purchased it. Our 2027 shincha is scheduled to be available around May. We look forward to sharing next year’s harvest with you again.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Shincha” is the first tea of the year, made from the earliest young leaves and prized for its fresh aroma, sweetness, and umami. At YUGEN, we carefully select only the tender leaves picked at the very beginning of the season. The rich aroma that rises from the teapot and the fresh, delicate mouthfeel of first-picked tea make shincha a special pleasure of this season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rich taste of shincha comes from the tea plant’s slow endurance through winter. Nutrients stored in the cold soil are drawn into the new leaves as the weather warms. Compared to later harvests, shincha has less bitterness and astringency, and more amino acids, which give it sweetness and umami. Each sip carries a gentle freshness like young spring leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Japan, enjoying the first tea of the year has long been cherished as a symbol of good health and longevity. More than simply refreshing, it is a tea enjoyed with a sense of seasonal well-being. It is suited both to quiet moments for yourself and as a thoughtful gift for someone special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-info__block-item\" data-block-type=\"separator\"\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e・Shincha and Sencha: Two Expressions of the Same Tea Leaf\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSencha is the most widely enjoyed type of Japanese green tea. Among sencha, only the first harvest of the year is called shincha, or “Shincha(new tea)”. It is not a different kind of tea, but a seasonal expression of the same leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main difference between shincha and sencha lies in the degree of heat processing after harvest. Standard sencha is more fully dried and fired to bring out aroma and depth that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Shincha is finished more lightly to preserve the fresh, vibrant character of the earliest spring leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne highlights the lively freshness of newly picked tea, while the other brings out a deeper aroma suited to everyday enjoyment. By adjusting the final processing to suit the season and the leaf, each reveals its own distinct appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e・A Different Side of Shincha: Enjoying It Cold Brewed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA hot cup of tea is always comforting, but when you want something a little different—or when the days begin to grow warmer—shincha is also wonderful as a cold brew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause bitter compounds are less easily extracted in cold water, cold brewing brings out a smoother, rounder sweetness than hot brewing. It’s an easy way to enjoy a different side of the same tea leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIngredients\u003cbr\u003e・Tea leaves: 8 g\u003cbr\u003e・Water: 300 ml\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e①Place the tea leaves (8 g) and water (300 ml) in a container.\u003cbr\u003e②Let it steep in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Please adjust the steeping time to your taste, depending on the color and flavor you prefer. \u003cbr\u003eIf the tea becomes slightly strong, pouring it over ice will help create a better balance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"1 box (40g)","offer_id":41193552904273,"sku":"A-020901","price":2315.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 boxes (40g × 2)","offer_id":59265475182673,"sku":"A-020902","price":4630.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"3 boxes (40g × 3)","offer_id":59265475215441,"sku":"A-020903","price":6945.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"5 boxes (40g × 5) 2% OFF","offer_id":59265475248209,"sku":"A-020904","price":11343.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false},{"title":"10 boxes (40g × 10) 5% OFF","offer_id":59265475280977,"sku":"A-020905","price":21992.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/files\/shincha-4-3.jpg?v=1775558447"},{"product_id":"leaftea-obukucha-special-blend","title":"OBUKUCHA 2026 Special Blend","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is an auspicious tea, enjoyed during the New Year to celebrate the arrival of a new beginning and to wish for health throughout the year. Its origins trace back to the Heian period, when the monk Kuya spread this tea to calm a plague that had struck the capital. Later, it came to be known as \"Royal Tea\" as it was served to the Emperor on New Year's Day. Eventually, it gained popularity among the common people as \"Daifuku Tea,\" a tea to celebrate the New Year.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAt YUGEN, we have created our 2026 Special Blend with heartfelt wishes for a vibrant and fulfilling year ahead. This special blend combines our usual single-origin Kabuse Sencha with Sencha, to bring you something truly unique.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eYou may also enjoy this tea with a piece of kombu or a plum added to it for an extra delightful experience.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWe sincerely wish you all health and a bright future.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42050856288337,"sku":"A-021002","price":2000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/files\/obukucha_top.jpg?v=1731841196"},{"product_id":"leaf-tea-wakocha","title":"Japanese Black Tea (Zairai \/ Asamiya, Shiga)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Japanese black tea is made from native, seed-grown tea plants first planted during Japan’s Taisho era (1912–1926), giving it a history of more than a century. Grown in the mountains of Asamiya, Shiga, the leaves offer a gentle sweetness, mild astringency, and rich body, with a deep, lingering finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKnown as *Wakōcha*, Japanese black tea has a character distinct from black teas produced in countries such as India and Sri Lanka. This tea is made using techniques inspired by traditional tea-making methods from China and Taiwan, keeping the leaves largely whole rather than cutting them into small pieces. Enjoy it straight for its delicate aroma and gentle sweetness, or with milk for a softer, richer taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-block-type=\"separator\" class=\"product-info__block-item\"\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAsamiya Tea: Shaped by 1,200 Years of History and Mountain Nature\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocated in Shigaraki, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, Asamiya is one of Japan’s historic tea-producing regions, with more than 1,200 years of tea cultivation. It is also recognized as one of Japan’s five renowned tea regions and is especially known for its rich fragrance.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSurrounded by mountains, Asamiya has a cool climate with large temperature differences between day and night, frequent mist, and mineral-rich soil formed from ancient Lake Biwa sediments. These natural conditions help create the distinctive aroma and layered depth of Asamiya tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eZairai: Tea That Reflects the Character of the Land\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Zairai\" refers to tea plants grown from seed, rather than a particular cultivar propagated by cuttings. Unlike cultivar teas, in which cuttings pass on identical traits, seed-grown zairai plants each have their own slightly different character.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLayered together, these leaves create a complexity and a taste that belong to this land alone. We hope you enjoy the gentle aroma and depth of Asamiya's long-cherished zairai in a cup of black tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-block-type=\"separator\" class=\"product-info__block-item\"\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to Brew Japanese Black Tea\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTea leaves: 6g\u003cbr\u003eWater: 180ml\u003cbr\u003eWater temperature: 95–100°C\u003cbr\u003eSteeping time: 2 minutes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrewing at a higher temperature brings out the tea’s aroma and body while balancing its gentle sweetness and mild astringency. For the second infusion, steep a little longer for a softer taste. To enjoy it cold, brew slightly stronger and quickly chill over ice for a clean, refreshing finish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","offers":[{"title":"1 pack (30g)","offer_id":60268445368401,"sku":"A-021101","price":1436.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 pack (30g×2)","offer_id":60268445401169,"sku":"A-021102","price":2872.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 pack (30g×3)","offer_id":60268445433937,"sku":"A-021103","price":4308.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 packs (30g×5) 2%off","offer_id":60268445466705,"sku":"A-021104","price":7036.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 packs (30g×10) 5%off","offer_id":60268445499473,"sku":"A-021105","price":13642.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/files\/001_9d956f15-8aeb-4597-b571-489480303f5a.jpg?v=1788339360"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0057\/1044\/6665\/collections\/b0774598f9176b8717cc3b62e6000d1e.JPG?v=1694667860","url":"https:\/\/www.yugen-kyoto.com\/en-han\/collections\/leaf-tea.oembed","provider":"YUGEN ONLINE STORE","version":"1.0","type":"link"}