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Kagoshima Seicha

鹿児島製茶株式会社

Kagoshima Seicha (鹿児島製茶株式会社) is one of Kyushu's most storied tea producers, tracing its roots to 1881 when the Mori family opened the original Birouen (美老園) tea house in Kagoshima City. The company was formally incorporated as Kagoshima Seicha Co., Ltd. in 1947 to expand its wholesale operations, while the beloved Birouen retail brand continued — and still operates today with multiple storefronts across Kagoshima and Nagasaki. The name Birouen (美老園) reflects the founders' philosophy: beauty and longevity through tea. From its headquarters in Kagoshima City's Taniyama Tea District, the company processes, wholesells, and retails green tea under the Birouen, Kagoshima Seicha, and Satsumarche labels. Their premium matcha lineup includes the flagship Matcha Sayaka (抹茶さやか), crafted from the Sayaka cultivar grown in Kagoshima, celebrated for its vivid green color, deep umami, and minimal astringency. Kagoshima Seicha holds ISO22000 and FSSC22000 food safety certifications and has won the World Green Tea Contest Grand Gold Prize (2014, 2015), multiple Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries awards, and a Minister of International Trade and Industry Award.

Brand Facts

Japanese name: 鹿児島製茶株式会社
Founded: 1881
Headquarters: Kagoshima City, Kagoshima
Origin regions: Kagoshima
Official site: kagoshimaseicha.co.jp
Ships to: Japan
Price/gram range: ¥16–¥54/g
Blends tracked: 3

Origin regionsKagoshima

Brand Flavor Trends

Average across 1 scored blend. Individual blend scores may vary significantly.

Blend Lineup

3 blends

Where to Buy Kagoshima Seicha in Japan

Official stores and authorized retailers across Japan.

Headquarters Official Store Authorized Retailer

Kagoshima

鹿児島製茶（株）
Official Store
Japan, 〒891-0122 鹿児島県鹿児島市南栄３丁目１１

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Kagoshima Seicha been producing matcha?: Kagoshima Seicha was founded in 1881, making it over 140 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima.
Where is Kagoshima Seicha matcha grown?: Kagoshima Seicha sources its matcha from Kagoshima in Kagoshima prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.
What tea cultivars does Kagoshima Seicha use?: Kagoshima Seicha uses the Seimei cultivar, a variety selected for its specific flavor characteristics in matcha production.
Is Kagoshima Seicha matcha stone-milled?: 1 of Kagoshima Seicha's 3 blends are stone-milled. Stone-milled matcha is ground slowly to preserve delicate flavor compounds and vibrant color.
Does Kagoshima Seicha offer single-origin matcha?: Yes, all of Kagoshima Seicha's blends are single-origin, meaning the tea leaves come from one specific farm or region rather than being blended across multiple sources.
What does Kagoshima Seicha matcha taste like?: Across its lineup, Kagoshima Seicha matcha tends toward color (9.0/10) with notable umami (8.0/10). Individual blends vary — check each blend's profile page for detailed tasting notes.
Which Kagoshima Seicha matcha is best for lattes?: Kagoshima Seicha has 3 blends suitable for lattes: Culinary Matcha, Kagoshima Matcha, Sayaka. These are selected for their ability to maintain flavor intensity when mixed with milk.
Why is Kagoshima Seicha matcha more expensive?: Kagoshima Seicha matcha ranges from ¥16 to ¥54 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 Kagoshima Seicha's 145-year heritage.
Where does Kagoshima Seicha ship to?: Kagoshima Seicha ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.
Where can I buy Kagoshima Seicha matcha in Japan?: Kagoshima Seicha has 1 retail location in Japan, including 鹿児島製茶（株） in Kagoshima.

Sources

Sources (3)

Kagoshima Seicha Official Site

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Company overview, business description, 130+ year history

Kagoshima Seicha — History Page

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Founded 1881, Birouen 1883, formally incorporated 1947, ISO22000 2007, FSSC22000 2010, World Green Tea Contest Grand Gold 2014 and 2015

Birouen Online Shop

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Matcha product lineup: Matcha Sayaka, Kagoshima Matcha, Culinary Matcha prices and descriptions

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Kagoshima Seicha been producing matcha?

Kagoshima Seicha was founded in 1881, making it over 140 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in Kagoshima City, Kagoshima.

Where is Kagoshima Seicha matcha grown?

Kagoshima Seicha sources its matcha from Kagoshima in Kagoshima prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.

What tea cultivars does Kagoshima Seicha use?

Kagoshima Seicha uses the Seimei cultivar, a variety selected for its specific flavor characteristics in matcha production.

Is Kagoshima Seicha matcha stone-milled?

1 of Kagoshima Seicha's 3 blends are stone-milled. Stone-milled matcha is ground slowly to preserve delicate flavor compounds and vibrant color.

Does Kagoshima Seicha offer single-origin matcha?

Yes, all of Kagoshima Seicha's blends are single-origin, meaning the tea leaves come from one specific farm or region rather than being blended across multiple sources.

What does Kagoshima Seicha matcha taste like?

Across its lineup, Kagoshima Seicha matcha tends toward color (9.0/10) with notable umami (8.0/10). Individual blends vary — check each blend's profile page for detailed tasting notes.

Which Kagoshima Seicha matcha is best for lattes?

Kagoshima Seicha has 3 blends suitable for lattes: Culinary Matcha, Kagoshima Matcha, Sayaka. These are selected for their ability to maintain flavor intensity when mixed with milk.

Why is Kagoshima Seicha matcha more expensive?

Kagoshima Seicha matcha ranges from ¥16 to ¥54 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 Kagoshima Seicha's 145-year heritage.

Where does Kagoshima Seicha ship to?

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

Where can I buy Kagoshima Seicha matcha in Japan?

Kagoshima Seicha has 1 retail location in Japan, including 鹿児島製茶（株） in Kagoshima.

Sources

Sources (3)

Kagoshima Seicha Official Site

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Company overview, business description, 130+ year history

Kagoshima Seicha — History Page

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Founded 1881, Birouen 1883, formally incorporated 1947, ISO22000 2007, FSSC22000 2010, World Green Tea Contest Grand Gold 2014 and 2015

Birouen Online Shop

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Matcha product lineup: Matcha Sayaka, Kagoshima Matcha, Culinary Matcha prices and descriptions