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Koukaen

香嘉園

Koukaen is a Nishio tea specialist founded in 1948 that manufactures and retails matcha and green tea from its base in Nishio, Aichi.

Brand story

Koukaen presents itself as a long-running Nishio tea company built on sincere tea craftsmanship, in-house production, and the ability to tailor matcha for drinking, food service, and industrial applications. Its official history ties the company closely to Nishio's rise as a nationally recognized matcha origin.

Brand Facts

Japanese name: 香嘉園
Founded: 1948
Headquarters: Nishio, Aichi
Origin regions: Nishio
Official site: www.koukaen.net
Ships to: Japan
Price/gram range: ¥54–¥62/g
Blends tracked: 4

Origin regionsNishio

Blend Lineup

4 blends

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Koukaen founded?: Koukaen was established in 1948 in Nishio, Aichi. It is a pre-war era matcha producer with 78 years of history.
Where is Koukaen matcha grown?: Koukaen sources its matcha from Nishio in Aichi prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.
Does Koukaen offer single-origin matcha?: Yes, all of Koukaen's blends are single-origin, meaning the tea leaves come from one specific farm or region rather than being blended across multiple sources.
Why is Koukaen matcha more expensive?: Koukaen matcha ranges from ¥54 to ¥62 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 Koukaen's 78-year heritage.
Where does Koukaen ship to?: Koukaen ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.

Sources

Sources (4)

Koukaen company profile

Accessed Mar 28, 2026Confidence: 96%

Supports: Koukaen states it was founded in December 1948, incorporated on May 1 1981, and is headquartered at 39 Nishida, Nishi-Asai-cho, Nishio, Aichi.

Koukaen history

Accessed Mar 28, 2026Confidence: 94%

Supports: The brand timeline records founding by Naito Kaichi in Showa 23 and the start of retail operations in Showa 40.

What is Nishio matcha

Accessed Mar 28, 2026Confidence: 90%

Supports: Koukaen frames itself around Nishio matcha production and explains the local origin story and industrial development of Nishio tea.

Aichi Product Fair PDF

Accessed Mar 28, 2026Confidence: 82%

Supports: Koukaen showcased the matcha names Shoho no Kaori, Enyukan, Tsutenkan, and Koen in a recent Aichi promotional fair.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Koukaen founded?

Koukaen was established in 1948 in Nishio, Aichi. It is a pre-war era matcha producer with 78 years of history.

Where is Koukaen matcha grown?

Koukaen sources its matcha from Nishio in Aichi prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.

Does Koukaen offer single-origin matcha?

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

Why is Koukaen matcha more expensive?

Koukaen matcha ranges from ¥54 to ¥62 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 Koukaen's 78-year heritage.

Where does Koukaen ship to?

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