VerifiedOrganicHeritage

Kawahara Chagyo

川原茶業

Kawahara Chagyo (川原茶業) is a century-old tea producer and wholesaler based in Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture, founded in 1914 during the Taisho era. Operating under the brand name 'Nabeshimahan' (鍋島藩), the company channels the prestige of the former Nabeshima feudal domain — historically associated with some of Japan's finest teas — to produce and sell premium Ureshino tea. Ureshino is renowned for its tamaryokucha (玉緑茶), a gyokuro-style curled-leaf tea grown in the region's characteristic mountain mist and fertile volcanic soils, prized for its natural sweetness and concentrated umami. Under representative director Kawahara Hideaki, the company maintains a certified organic food processing factory, uses -25°C freezers to preserve seasonal freshness year-round, and ships nationwide via direct mail-order. In addition to their signature Ureshino teas, Kawahara Chagyo produces 'Nabeshima Domain Matcha' (鍋島藩の抹茶), a stone-ground matcha celebrating the historical tea culture of their region.

Brand Facts

Japanese name: 川原茶業
Founded: 1914
Headquarters: Ureshino City, Saga
Origin regions: Ureshino
Certifications: JAS Organic
Official site: www.nabeshimahan.jp
Ships to: Japan
Blends tracked: 1

Origin regionsUreshino

CertificationsJAS Organic

Brand Flavor Trends

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

Blend Lineup

1 blend

Nabeshima Domain
CeremonialUreshinoUsuchaLatte

Where to Buy Kawahara Chagyo in Japan

Official stores and authorized retailers across Japan.

Headquarters Official Store Authorized Retailer

Osaka

Kawahara Seicha
Official Store
Japan, 〒542-0076 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Namba, 5-chōme−1−５髙島屋大阪店地階

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Kawahara Chagyo been producing matcha?: Kawahara Chagyo was founded in 1914, making it over 110 years old. It dates to the pre-war era of Japanese tea production, based in Ureshino City, Saga.
Where is Kawahara Chagyo matcha grown?: Kawahara Chagyo sources its matcha from Ureshino in Saga prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.
Is Kawahara Chagyo matcha stone-milled?: Yes, all Kawahara Chagyo 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.
What does Kawahara Chagyo matcha taste like?: Across its lineup, Kawahara Chagyo matcha tends toward umami (7.0/10) with notable sweetness (7.0/10). Individual blends vary — check each blend's profile page for detailed tasting notes.
Which Kawahara Chagyo matcha is best for lattes?: Nabeshima Domain is Kawahara Chagyo's latte-recommended matcha. It is formulated to hold its flavor when mixed with milk or plant-based alternatives.
Where does Kawahara Chagyo ship to?: Kawahara Chagyo ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.
Where can I buy Kawahara Chagyo matcha in Japan?: Kawahara Chagyo has 1 retail location in Japan, including Kawahara Seicha in Osaka.
Is Kawahara Chagyo matcha organic?: Yes, Kawahara Chagyo matcha is certified organic, meaning it is produced without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Sources

Sources (3)

Kawahara Chagyo Official Site (Nabeshimahan)

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Company overview, Ureshino tea specialty, Nabeshima domain branding, founded 1914

Kawahara Chagyo — Company Profile Page

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Founded Taisho 3 (1914), representative Kawahara Hideaki, manufacturing/wholesale tea, Ureshino City Saga

Food Biz Kyushu — Kawahara Chagyo Products

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Product lineup: Ureshino tea, Nabeshima Domain Matcha (鍋島藩の抹茶), Zero Tea

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Kawahara Chagyo been producing matcha?

Kawahara Chagyo was founded in 1914, making it over 110 years old. It dates to the pre-war era of Japanese tea production, based in Ureshino City, Saga.

Where is Kawahara Chagyo matcha grown?

Kawahara Chagyo sources its matcha from Ureshino in Saga prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.

Is Kawahara Chagyo matcha stone-milled?

Yes, all Kawahara Chagyo 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.

What does Kawahara Chagyo matcha taste like?

Across its lineup, Kawahara Chagyo matcha tends toward umami (7.0/10) with notable sweetness (7.0/10). Individual blends vary — check each blend's profile page for detailed tasting notes.

Which Kawahara Chagyo matcha is best for lattes?

Nabeshima Domain is Kawahara Chagyo's latte-recommended matcha. It is formulated to hold its flavor when mixed with milk or plant-based alternatives.

Where does Kawahara Chagyo ship to?

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

Where can I buy Kawahara Chagyo matcha in Japan?

Kawahara Chagyo has 1 retail location in Japan, including Kawahara Seicha in Osaka.

Is Kawahara Chagyo matcha organic?

Yes, Kawahara Chagyo matcha is certified organic, meaning it is produced without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers.

Sources

Sources (3)

Kawahara Chagyo Official Site (Nabeshimahan)

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Company overview, Ureshino tea specialty, Nabeshima domain branding, founded 1914

Kawahara Chagyo — Company Profile Page

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Founded Taisho 3 (1914), representative Kawahara Hideaki, manufacturing/wholesale tea, Ureshino City Saga

Food Biz Kyushu — Kawahara Chagyo Products

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Product lineup: Ureshino tea, Nabeshima Domain Matcha (鍋島藩の抹茶), Zero Tea