by Maiko no Cha Honpo舞妓の茶本舗
Koetsu (宏悦) is the crown jewel of Maiko no Cha Honpo's matcha lineup — a thick tea (koicha) grade ceremonial matcha that won a Silver Award at the Japanese Tea Selection Paris 2019 among 238 international competitors. Made from the finest Fugenji-district tencha and stone-milled by the Yamashita family, who have won Japan's national tea competition seven times, Koetsu delivers extraordinary depth: intense vivid green color, full-bodied umami, rich natural sweetness, and a lingering finish unlike any everyday matcha. At 20g, it is designed for maximum ceremony impact in small, precious servings.
Editorial verdict
One of the most decorated ceremonial matchas in Japan. International recognition at Paris 2019 validates what the Yamashita family has known for generations — this is koicha-grade matcha at its most expressive. Reserve it for ceremonial occasions.
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Rich umami, intense vivid green color, deep sweetness, full body — koicha grade
Other blends from Uji
Supports: 20g ¥5,400, koicha grade, silver award Paris 2019, Fugenji Kyotanabe origin
About the brand
舞妓の茶本舗
Maiko no Cha Honpo (舞妓の茶本舗) is a celebrated Kyoto tea house based in the Fugenji district of Kyotanabe City — one of the most revered gyokuro-producing areas in all of Japan. Founded in 1950 as 'Fugenji Plantations' and rebranded in 1970 under the Maiko name after legendary tea master Yamashita Juichi (山下壽一) won first place at the National Tea Competition, the company has built one of the most extraordinary competitive records in Japanese tea history. Yamashita Juichi won the Agricultural Minister's Award at the national gyokuro competition seven times and at the Kansai Tea Competition eleven times, and in 1991 performed hand-picking of tea leaves for the Emperor and Empress of Japan. His grandson Yamashita Shintaro (山下新貴) has continued the dynasty, winning the Agricultural Minister's Award at the Kansai Tea Competition three consecutive years (2019–2021) and taking first place at the National Tea Competition in 2022. Their matcha lineup is equally distinguished: the flagship 宏悦 (Koetsu) won a Silver Award at the 2019 Japanese Tea Selection Paris among 238 international entries. From the single-farm Fugenji growing area in Kyotanabe, the Yamashita family's multi-generational expertise is embedded into every grade of their matcha — from the ultra-premium koicha-grade Koetsu to their accessible everyday tins.
View all Maiko no Cha Honpo blendsRich umami, intense vivid green color, deep sweetness, full body — koicha grade
Koetsu is sourced from Uji, Japan.
Koetsu is priced at ¥5,400 for 20g (¥270/g).
Koetsu is recommended for usucha. Thin tea — the standard way to prepare matcha, whisked with about 2g of powder and 70ml of water.
You can buy Maiko no Cha Honpo Koetsu directly from Maiko no Cha Honpo's official website. Current availability: In stock.