How long has Gyokurinen been producing matcha?

Gyokurinen was founded in 1854, making it over 170 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in Wakayama, Wakayama.

Where is Gyokurinen matcha grown?

Gyokurinen sources its matcha from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.

Is Gyokurinen matcha stone-milled?

Yes, all Gyokurinen matcha is stone-milled (石臼挽き). Stone grinding at low RPM preserves the tea's color, aroma, and umami by avoiding heat damage during processing.

How many matcha products does Gyokurinen offer?

Gyokurinen currently offers 11 matcha blends across 3 grade levels (Ceremonial, Super Premium Ceremonial, Premium Ceremonial). The lineup ranges from Anbun no Shiro to Waka no Mukashi, covering different preparation styles and price points.

Why is Gyokurinen matcha more expensive?

Gyokurinen matcha ranges from ¥24 to ¥105 per gram, placing it in the premium tier. Higher pricing typically reflects stone-milling, single-origin sourcing, specific cultivar selection, or traditional production methods — and Gyokurinen's 172-year heritage.

Where does Gyokurinen ship to?

Gyokurinen ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.

Where can I buy Gyokurinen matcha in Japan?

Gyokurinen has 7 retail locations in Japan, including 玉林園本社 in Wakayama.

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Gyokurinen

玉林園お茶の玉林園株式会社玉林園

Historic Wakayama tea company established in 1854 (Ansei 1), now in its sixth generation. Gyokurinen is renowned for stone-milling premium Uji tencha into matcha using traditional stone mills (ishiusu), and for inventing the world's first matcha soft-serve ice cream, Green Soft, in 1958. The company operates tea retail, food service (Green Corner restaurants), and wholesale divisions, supplying matcha products to over 180 restaurant locations nationwide.

Brand story

Gyokurinen traces its roots to 1736, when the Hayashi family began cultivating and exporting tea near Kajitori in Wakayama. The business also handled tobacco and dried goods under the trade name Kawachiya. In 1854, during the Ansei period, the company was formally established as Gyokurinen and shifted its focus exclusively to tea production and sales. After relocating to Honcho in 1913, the company became a dedicated tea retailer. In 1958, then-president Hayashi Misahiko invented Green Soft — the world’s first matcha soft-serve ice cream — as a way to boost summer sales. The product debuted at the 1970 Osaka Expo where it sold out, and Gyokurinen famously refused to license the formula to large confectionery companies. Today, under sixth-generation president Hayashi Kazuhiro, the company sells over two million Green Soft units annually, operates six direct retail locations in Wakayama, and continues to stone-grind all its matcha in-house using traditional Uji tencha.

Brand Facts

Japanese name: 玉林園
Founded: 1854
Headquarters: Wakayama, Wakayama
Origin regions: Uji
Official site: gyokurin-en.co.jp
Ships to: Japan
Price/gram range: ¥24–¥105/g
Blends tracked: 11

Origin regionsUji

Blend Lineup

11 blends

Where to Buy Gyokurinen in Japan

Official stores and authorized retailers across Japan.

Headquarters Official Store Authorized Retailer

Wakayama

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Gyokurinen been producing matcha?: Gyokurinen was founded in 1854, making it over 170 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in Wakayama, Wakayama.
Where is Gyokurinen matcha grown?: Gyokurinen sources its matcha from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.
Is Gyokurinen matcha stone-milled?: Yes, all Gyokurinen matcha is stone-milled (石臼挽き). Stone grinding at low RPM preserves the tea's color, aroma, and umami by avoiding heat damage during processing.
How many matcha products does Gyokurinen offer?: Gyokurinen currently offers 11 matcha blends across 3 grade levels (Ceremonial, Super Premium Ceremonial, Premium Ceremonial). The lineup ranges from Anbun no Shiro to Waka no Mukashi, covering different preparation styles and price points.
Why is Gyokurinen matcha more expensive?: Gyokurinen matcha ranges from ¥24 to ¥105 per gram, placing it in the premium tier. Higher pricing typically reflects stone-milling, single-origin sourcing, specific cultivar selection, or traditional production methods — and Gyokurinen's 172-year heritage.
Where does Gyokurinen ship to?: Gyokurinen ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.
Where can I buy Gyokurinen matcha in Japan?: Gyokurinen has 7 retail locations in Japan, including 玉林園本社 in Wakayama.

Sources

Sources (5)

Gyokurinen Matcha Product Page

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Full matcha lineup: 5 koicha + 6 usucha, prices in JPY, all stone-ground Uji tencha

Gyokurinen Official Website

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Company overview, founding year 1854, matcha products, Green Soft history

FAVTOWN Wakayama

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 85%

Supports: Founding year 1854 (Ansei 1), address, phone, business divisions

LIVING Wakayama

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 85%

Supports: 6th generation president Hayashi Kazuhiro, 140 employees, Green Soft history since 1958, kindergarten voucher program since 1968

News Wakayama

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 85%

Supports: Green Soft creation in 1958 by president Hayashi Misahiko, 2 million units annual sales, post-war relocation to Honcho

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