How long has Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten been producing matcha?

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten was founded in 1560, making it over 460 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in Uji, Kyoto.

Where is Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten matcha grown?

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

How many matcha products does Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten offer?

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten currently offers 18 matcha blends across 2 grade levels (Ceremonial, Premium). The lineup ranges from Atomukashi to Zuiho, covering different preparation styles and price points.

Why is Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten matcha more expensive?

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten matcha ranges from ¥49 to ¥216 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 Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten's 466-year heritage.

Where does Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten ship to?

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

Where can I buy Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten matcha in Japan?

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten has 6 retail locations in Japan, including JR Kyoto Isetan B1F in Kyoto.

VerifiedTraditionalPremium

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten

上林春松本店かんばやししゅんしょうほんてん

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten is one of the three great tea houses of Uji (Uji Sandai Chasho) and the oldest, with over 450 years of history. Founded during the Eiroku period (c. 1560), the Kanbayashi family has served as tea purveyors for fifteen generations. During the Edo period they held the highest rank of tea master (Gomotsu Ochashi) and served as Uji tea administrators for the Tokugawa shogunate. The tenth-generation Shunsho is credited with developing a precursor to modern gyokuro. Today, as the sole surviving lineage of the original Uji tea masters, they continue to produce premium matcha, gyokuro, and sencha using traditional stone-milling techniques. Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten also serves as the quality supervisor for Coca-Cola Japan's Ayataka green tea brand.

Brand story

The Kanbayashi family traces its origins to Kamon no Jo Hisashige, who moved from Kanbayashi Township in Tanba Province to Uji during the Eiroku period (1558-1569) and entered the tea trade. Over the centuries, the family rose to become the most powerful tea merchants in Uji, holding the elite title of Gomotsu Ochashi — the highest rank among tea masters — and managing all aspects of Uji tea production and distribution for the shogunate. When the Meiji Restoration abolished the feudal system and the patronage that came with it, the eleventh-generation Shunsho pivoted from court tea master to commercial tea merchant, popularizing gyokuro and sencha among the general public. Now in its fifteenth generation under Shunsho Hidetoshi, the house blends tradition with modernity — their matcha is used in formal tea ceremonies across Japan's major tea schools, while their expertise also underpins Coca-Cola Japan's mass-market Ayataka green tea line.

Brand Facts

Japanese name: 上林春松本店
Founded: 1560
Headquarters: Uji, Kyoto
Origin regions: Uji
Official site: www.shunsho.co.jp
Ships to: Japan, International
Price/gram range: ¥49–¥216/g
Blends tracked: 18

Origin regionsUji

Blend Lineup

18 blends

Where to Buy Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten in Japan

Official stores and authorized retailers across Japan.

Headquarters Official Store Authorized Retailer

Kyoto

Saitama

Isetan Urawa B1F
Authorized Retailer
15-1 Takasago 1-Chome, Urawa-ku, Saitama 330-0063, Japan

Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Kanazawa M'za 1F
Authorized Retailer
15-1 Musashimachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0855, Japan

Uji, Kyoto

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten been producing matcha?: Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten was founded in 1560, making it over 460 years old. It dates to the Edo or Meiji era of Japanese tea production, based in Uji, Kyoto.
Where is Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten matcha grown?: Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten sources its matcha from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.
How many matcha products does Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten offer?: Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten currently offers 18 matcha blends across 2 grade levels (Ceremonial, Premium). The lineup ranges from Atomukashi to Zuiho, covering different preparation styles and price points.
Why is Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten matcha more expensive?: Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten matcha ranges from ¥49 to ¥216 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 Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten's 466-year heritage.
Where does Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten ship to?: Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten ships to: Japan, International. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.
Where can I buy Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten matcha in Japan?: Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten has 6 retail locations in Japan, including JR Kyoto Isetan B1F in Kyoto.

Sources

Sources (6)

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten History Page

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Detailed chronological history, Gomotsu Ochashi rank, shogunate service, gyokuro development

Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten Official Website

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Brand history, founding period (Eiroku era c.1560), 15th generation, Uji headquarters

Kanbayashi Shunsho Online Shop

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 95%

Supports: Full matcha product lineup with prices in JPY, package sizes, koicha/usucha classification

Coca-Cola Japan FAQ — Kanbayashi Shunsho

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Kanbayashi serves as quality supervisor for Ayataka green tea brand

Kyoto Tea Cooperative Member Listing

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Address: Uji-shi, Uji Kageyama 9; incorporated 1951; retail locations at Takashimaya, Hanshin, JR Isetan

Nara Tea Company — Kanbayashi Collection

Accessed Mar 24, 2026Confidence: 85%

Supports: Product descriptions, tasting notes, USD pricing, English-language blend details

Compare brands

How does Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten compare?

See side-by-side comparisons of blends across brands on our compare pages.

Browse comparisons →