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Horaido

蓬莱堂茶舗

Horaido (蓬莱堂茶舗) is a Kyoto Uji tea specialist founded in 1803 on Teramachi-dori in central Kyoto. Its official lineup focuses on traditional Uji matcha, gyokuro, sencha, bancha, and tea utensils, with a house style that preserves older Kyoto taste preferences, especially in bitter-leaning usucha and formal koicha.

Brand story

The official Teramachi profile says Horaido has aimed since 1803 to stay faithful to the classic taste, aroma, and color of Uji tea across matcha, gyokuro, sencha, and bancha. Horaido is also known locally as the originator of Horai-cha, the shop's own name for genmaicha: the Japanese price list states that during the Taisho period the shop devised and sold Horai bancha inspired by yutoki rice served at tea gatherings, and presents it as the starting point of the genmaicha style now widely enjoyed in Japan.

Brand Facts

Japanese name: 蓬莱堂茶舗
Founded: 1803
Headquarters: 295 Higashidaimonjicho, Teramachi-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8043, Japan
Origin regions: Uji
Official site: www.kyoto-teramachi.or.jp/horaido
Ships to: Japan, International
Price/gram range: ¥25–¥135/g
Blends tracked: 8

Origin regionsUji

Blend Lineup

8 blends

Where to Buy Horaido in Japan

Official stores and authorized retailers across Japan.

Headquarters Official Store Authorized Retailer

Kyoto

蓬莱堂茶舗
Official Store
295 Higashidaimonjichō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8043, Japan

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Horaido been producing matcha?: Horaido was founded in 1803, making it over 220 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in 295 Higashidaimonjicho, Teramachi-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8043, Japan.
Where is Horaido matcha grown?: Horaido sources its matcha from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.
How many matcha products does Horaido offer?: Horaido currently offers 8 matcha blends across 7 grade levels (Traditional Usucha / Culinary, Ceremonial — Usucha, Traditional Usucha / Everyday, Culinary / Everyday, Ceremonial — Formal Koicha, Ceremonial — Usucha / Light Koicha, Ceremonial — Koicha/Usucha). The lineup ranges from Aya-no-mori to Yomo-ga-shima, covering different preparation styles and price points.
Why is Horaido matcha more expensive?: Horaido matcha ranges from ¥25 to ¥135 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 Horaido's 223-year heritage.
Where does Horaido ship to?: Horaido ships to: Japan, International. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.
Where can I buy Horaido matcha in Japan?: Horaido has 1 retail location in Japan, including 蓬莱堂茶舗 in Kyoto.

Sources

Sources (7)

Horaido Top Page

Accessed Mar 26, 2026Confidence: 96%

Supports: Founded in 1803; official Kyoto shop homepage; opening hours and phone.

Horaido Japanese Price List

Accessed Mar 26, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Japanese page says the current Uji tea price list was revised in January 2026 and explains Horaido's claim to Horai-cha/genmaicha origins.

Horaido Official Website

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Brand name, location, founding year 1803, Uji tea specialty

Teramachi Shop Profile

Accessed Mar 26, 2026Confidence: 94%

Supports: Shop profile confirms founding year 1803, Teramachi Kyoto address, phone number, and the shop's reputation as a genmaicha originator.

Horaido — Teramachi Shopping Street

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 92%

Supports: Founded 1803; rep Yasumori Nagahiro; Uji tea specialist; genmaicha birthplace; price list

Kyotokan — 蓬莱堂茶舗 Feature

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Genmaicha invented during Taisho period; rep Yasumori Nagahiro; 200+ years on Teramachi

Rurubu — 蓬莱堂茶舗 Spot

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Address 京都市中京区寺町通四条上ル東大文字町295; TEL 075-221-1215; hours 10:30-19:00; closed on 2s and 7s

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Horaido been producing matcha?

Horaido was founded in 1803, making it over 220 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in 295 Higashidaimonjicho, Teramachi-dori Shijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8043, Japan.

Where is Horaido matcha grown?

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

How many matcha products does Horaido offer?

Horaido currently offers 8 matcha blends across 7 grade levels (Traditional Usucha / Culinary, Ceremonial — Usucha, Traditional Usucha / Everyday, Culinary / Everyday, Ceremonial — Formal Koicha, Ceremonial — Usucha / Light Koicha, Ceremonial — Koicha/Usucha). The lineup ranges from Aya-no-mori to Yomo-ga-shima, covering different preparation styles and price points.

Why is Horaido matcha more expensive?

Horaido matcha ranges from ¥25 to ¥135 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 Horaido's 223-year heritage.

Where does Horaido ship to?

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

Where can I buy Horaido matcha in Japan?

Horaido has 1 retail location in Japan, including 蓬莱堂茶舗 in Kyoto.

Sources

Sources (7)

Horaido Top Page

Accessed Mar 26, 2026Confidence: 96%

Supports: Founded in 1803; official Kyoto shop homepage; opening hours and phone.

Horaido Japanese Price List

Accessed Mar 26, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Japanese page says the current Uji tea price list was revised in January 2026 and explains Horaido's claim to Horai-cha/genmaicha origins.

Horaido Official Website

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Brand name, location, founding year 1803, Uji tea specialty

Teramachi Shop Profile

Accessed Mar 26, 2026Confidence: 94%

Supports: Shop profile confirms founding year 1803, Teramachi Kyoto address, phone number, and the shop's reputation as a genmaicha originator.

Horaido — Teramachi Shopping Street

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 92%

Supports: Founded 1803; rep Yasumori Nagahiro; Uji tea specialist; genmaicha birthplace; price list

Kyotokan — 蓬莱堂茶舗 Feature

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Genmaicha invented during Taisho period; rep Yasumori Nagahiro; 200+ years on Teramachi

Rurubu — 蓬莱堂茶舗 Spot

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Address 京都市中京区寺町通四条上ル東大文字町295; TEL 075-221-1215; hours 10:30-19:00; closed on 2s and 7s