VerifiedHeritagePremium

Maiko no Cha Honpo

舞妓の茶本舗

Maiko no Cha Honpo (舞妓の茶本舗) is a celebrated Kyoto tea house based in the Fugenji district of Kyotanabe City — one of the most revered gyokuro-producing areas in all of Japan. Founded in 1950 as 'Fugenji Plantations' and rebranded in 1970 under the Maiko name after legendary tea master Yamashita Juichi (山下壽一) won first place at the National Tea Competition, the company has built one of the most extraordinary competitive records in Japanese tea history. Yamashita Juichi won the Agricultural Minister's Award at the national gyokuro competition seven times and at the Kansai Tea Competition eleven times, and in 1991 performed hand-picking of tea leaves for the Emperor and Empress of Japan. His grandson Yamashita Shintaro (山下新貴) has continued the dynasty, winning the Agricultural Minister's Award at the Kansai Tea Competition three consecutive years (2019–2021) and taking first place at the National Tea Competition in 2022. Their matcha lineup is equally distinguished: the flagship 宏悦 (Koetsu) won a Silver Award at the 2019 Japanese Tea Selection Paris among 238 international entries. From the single-farm Fugenji growing area in Kyotanabe, the Yamashita family's multi-generational expertise is embedded into every grade of their matcha — from the ultra-premium koicha-grade Koetsu to their accessible everyday tins.

Brand Facts

Japanese name: 舞妓の茶本舗
Founded: 1950
Headquarters: Kyotanabe City, Kyoto
Origin regions: Uji
Official site: www.maiko.ne.jp
Ships to: Japan
Price/gram range: ¥29–¥270/g
Blends tracked: 5

Origin regionsUji

Brand Flavor Trends

Average across 5 scored blends. Individual blend scores may vary significantly.

Blend Lineup

5 blends

Where to Buy Maiko no Cha Honpo in Japan

Official stores and authorized retailers across Japan.

Headquarters Official Store Authorized Retailer

Kyoto

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Maiko no Cha Honpo founded?: Maiko no Cha Honpo was established in 1950 in Kyotanabe City, Kyoto. It is a late 20th century matcha producer with 76 years of history.
Where is Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha grown?: Maiko no Cha Honpo sources its matcha from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.
Is Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha stone-milled?: Yes, all Maiko no Cha Honpo 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.
Does Maiko no Cha Honpo offer single-origin matcha?: Yes, all of Maiko no Cha Honpo'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 Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha taste like?: Across its lineup, Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha tends toward color (8.2/10) with notable umami (7.6/10). Individual blends vary — check each blend's profile page for detailed tasting notes.
Which Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha is best for lattes?: Maiko no Cha Honpo has 3 blends suitable for lattes: Chiyomukashi, Matsu no Midori, Uji no Sato. These are selected for their ability to maintain flavor intensity when mixed with milk.
How many matcha products does Maiko no Cha Honpo offer?: Maiko no Cha Honpo currently offers 5 matcha blends across 3 grade levels (Ceremonial, Koicha, Culinary). The lineup ranges from Chiyomukashi to Uji no Sato, covering different preparation styles and price points.
Why is Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha more expensive?: Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha ranges from ¥29 to ¥270 per gram, placing it in the premium tier. Higher pricing typically reflects stone-milling, single-origin sourcing, specific cultivar selection, or traditional production methods.
Where does Maiko no Cha Honpo ship to?: Maiko no Cha Honpo ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.
Where can I buy Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha in Japan?: Maiko no Cha Honpo has 9 retail locations in Japan, including Kimono Shop Rental Photo Maiko Collection in Kyoto.

Sources

Sources (3)

Maiko no Cha Honpo Official Website

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 99%

Supports: Company overview, Fugenji Kyotanabe location, gyokuro and matcha specialist

Maiko no Cha Honpo — Awards History

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 99%

Supports: Yamashita Juichi National Tea Competition wins ×7, Kansai wins ×11. Matcha Koetsu Silver Award Paris 2019. Gyokuro world #1 Paris 2020.

Maiko no Cha Honpo Online Shop — Matcha

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Full matcha product lineup with prices: 宏悦 ¥5,400/20g, 舞昔 ¥4,320/20g, 千代昔 ¥3,240/30g, 松の緑 ¥2,700/30g, 京昔 ¥1,728/30g, 宇治の里 ¥864/30g

Compare brands

How does Maiko no Cha Honpo compare?

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

Browse comparisons →

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Maiko no Cha Honpo founded?

Maiko no Cha Honpo was established in 1950 in Kyotanabe City, Kyoto. It is a late 20th century matcha producer with 76 years of history.

Where is Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha grown?

Maiko no Cha Honpo sources its matcha from Uji in Kyoto prefecture, one of Japan's recognized matcha-producing regions.

Is Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha stone-milled?

Yes, all Maiko no Cha Honpo 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.

Does Maiko no Cha Honpo offer single-origin matcha?

Yes, all of Maiko no Cha Honpo'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 Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha taste like?

Across its lineup, Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha tends toward color (8.2/10) with notable umami (7.6/10). Individual blends vary — check each blend's profile page for detailed tasting notes.

Which Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha is best for lattes?

Maiko no Cha Honpo has 3 blends suitable for lattes: Chiyomukashi, Matsu no Midori, Uji no Sato. These are selected for their ability to maintain flavor intensity when mixed with milk.

How many matcha products does Maiko no Cha Honpo offer?

Maiko no Cha Honpo currently offers 5 matcha blends across 3 grade levels (Ceremonial, Koicha, Culinary). The lineup ranges from Chiyomukashi to Uji no Sato, covering different preparation styles and price points.

Why is Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha more expensive?

Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha ranges from ¥29 to ¥270 per gram, placing it in the premium tier. Higher pricing typically reflects stone-milling, single-origin sourcing, specific cultivar selection, or traditional production methods.

Where does Maiko no Cha Honpo ship to?

Maiko no Cha Honpo ships to: Japan. Availability may vary — check their official site for current shipping options.

Where can I buy Maiko no Cha Honpo matcha in Japan?

Maiko no Cha Honpo has 9 retail locations in Japan, including Kimono Shop Rental Photo Maiko Collection in Kyoto.

Sources

Sources (3)

Maiko no Cha Honpo Official Website

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 99%

Supports: Company overview, Fugenji Kyotanabe location, gyokuro and matcha specialist

Maiko no Cha Honpo — Awards History

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 99%

Supports: Yamashita Juichi National Tea Competition wins ×7, Kansai wins ×11. Matcha Koetsu Silver Award Paris 2019. Gyokuro world #1 Paris 2020.

Maiko no Cha Honpo Online Shop — Matcha

Accessed Mar 22, 2026Confidence: 98%

Supports: Full matcha product lineup with prices: 宏悦 ¥5,400/20g, 舞昔 ¥4,320/20g, 千代昔 ¥3,240/30g, 松の緑 ¥2,700/30g, 京昔 ¥1,728/30g, 宇治の里 ¥864/30g

Maiko no Cha Honpo

Brand Facts

Brand Flavor Trends

Blend Lineup

Where to Buy Maiko no Cha Honpo in Japan

Kyoto

Kyotanabe, Kyoto

Taito City, Tokyo

Bunkyo City, Tokyo

Shinjuku City, Tokyo

京都市, 京都府

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Sources (3)

How does Maiko no Cha Honpo compare?

Maiko no Cha Honpo

Brand Facts

Brand Flavor Trends

Blend Lineup

Where to Buy Maiko no Cha Honpo in Japan

Kyoto

Kyotanabe, Kyoto

Taito City, Tokyo

Bunkyo City, Tokyo

Shinjuku City, Tokyo

京都市, 京都府

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

Sources (3)

How does Maiko no Cha Honpo compare?