01
Why matching matters
A random substitute usually fails because you're not matching on what you care about. The right replacement depends on flavor profile (umami-forward vs. sweet vs. grassy), preparation style, and price tier. Our tracker — 12,541 checks through September 2026 — shows which blends have consistent availability. That's the pool to choose from.
02
How long a sell-out lasts
Our price tracker checks each listing about every five days, so it misses stock-outs shorter than that. Between 2026-06-13 and 2026-10-21 it logged 99 listings going out of stock and 90 coming back. Listings of Marukyu Koyamaen blends at the shops we track went out of stock 12 times and came back 12 times between April and October; on 2026-10-21, 4 of its 10 blends we list were in stock somewhere we check. A sell-out at one shop is not always a sell-out of the blend: of 104 blends with a sold-out listing today, 27 were in stock at another shop. Samidori by Yamamasa Koyamaen was in stock at Ujicha Matcha (US) at $0.65/g and sold out at Senchoju (Canada). For the stores on our restock watch, we check every 10 minutes and can email you when a blend comes back.
Set a restock alert →03
If your Itoh Kyuemon blend is sold out
Itoh Kyuemon Uji Midori, Jukyu, and Seiju no Mori: 38 OOS checks each over the tracking period. Classic Uji: savory, deep, polished. The closest in-stock substitute is Ippodo Ummon-no-Mukashi (Samidori-Gokou, umami 9, bitterness 2).
04
If Horii Shichimeien is sold out
Horii Shichimeien: 95.3% OOS. Their blends run high umami, silky body, koicha-capable. The closest in stock is Maiko Koetsu ($1.80/g, umami 10, body 10, koicha grade), sold direct by Maiko.
05
If your Shohokuen or Aoi Seicha blend is sold out
Shohokuen Iwai no Mukashi (56 OOS checks — highest in our dataset) and Aoi Seicha Mugenzo (38 checks) are small-production blends. Iwai no Mukashi is back in stock at Shohokuen's own store. For richness and body: Kyoei Kotoku no Mukashi ($0.89/g, umami 9, body 10).
06
If you just need a reliable everyday ceremonial
Ippodo Sayaka ($0.89/g, bitterness 3). Softer and sweeter: Ippodo Kan ($1.10/g, sweetness 8). Best value: Marukyu Aoarashi at Ujicha Matcha ($0.67/g, umami 9). All in stock on 2026-10-07.
