The store is currently undergoing renovation, and they are operating in a temporary store along the east side of the street. There are only foreigners, all of whom are foreign, and it seems to be famous for being so delicious. The staff at the store are very friendly, making it easy to buy souvenirs. I bought some tea bags with roasted green tea, which are very fragrant and smoky, and delicious. It tastes even better when chilled and enjoyed in the summer. I always end up buying a lot at once.

On a Saturday in June, after several years, I visited Ippodo Honten. I usually buy my tea from high-end department stores like Takashimaya in the Depachika area at Kyoto Station or at Gion, but this time I went to the main store in Teramachi Nijo. This area used to be a place I frequented often. There used to be a fruit shop called Yaou in the corner, as mentioned in the novel "Lemon" by Kajii Motojiro. Nearby, there was a sports store called Sport Konishi Mountain, where in the early 1980s, during the outdoor boom in Japan, I used to buy mountaineering equipment and chino pants for hiking. Kyoto was a student town and hiking was popular, so there were also stores that made hiking boots. However, gradually, such specialty stores disappeared, and now we have the Teramachi of today. Ippodo is an old shop. It has quietly stood through those times. On this day, I had run out of tea at home, so I planned to buy everything I needed, selected the items online, and wrote down the names of the teas to make sure I wouldn't forget. Along Teramachi Street, hydrangeas were blooming along the roadside trees due to the season. People were coming into the store in small groups. From the outside, you wouldn't know, but once you step inside, there are about 10 people standing on each side. However, only a few were shopping. People were waiting in line at the tea room at the back to drink tea. It felt like a cafe. I remember there were special Japanese sweets served with the tea as well. There is a saying, "eye for detail, attentiveness." Among so many people, how should I go about shopping... At that moment, a female store clerk came out from the back, looked around the store, our eyes met, and she understood what I needed. She guided me over and I showed her the list I had prepared, indicating that I wanted to get a takeaway matcha drink. She seemed to have found what I needed. She led me to a counter with chairs at the back and told me to wait there. It was either a coincidence or they were just naturally good at customer service. I have experienced similar interactions in department stores, so I think that's how they operate. While not exactly the same, there are shops like Gallery Yuukei, which sells goods from Tawaraya Ryokan, and Ippodo where you can have a pleasant shopping experience. That day, I bought: - Gyokuro Mantoku in a medium canister box - Matcha Matsune no Oto - Gyokuro powder - Sencha powder - Takeaway hot matcha. I haven't learned the way of tea ceremony, so I don't know if I'm doing it right. Since there are many opportunities to drink matcha in Kyoto, I once bought a beginner's kit called Hajime no Ippo and tried making tea to enjoy with Japanese sweets. I prefer strong tea, so I selected Gyokuro for its rich and sweet flavor. The takeaway matcha was perfect for the slightly cool weather that day, and I felt like walking while sipping it. I enjoyed it in the precincts of Honno-ji Temple, surrounded by the sweet scent of gardenias. The aroma and smooth texture were better than when I made it myself. I wonder if I'm not very good at it... It is important to confirm the taste of professional-made tea from time to time among the teas purchased that day, such as Gyokuro, Hojicha, and Matcha. I also plan to try making cold-brewed tea using Gyokuro this season. By the way, I like to collect photos of old and new stores and items like shopping bags and wrapping paper that I find interesting. Ippodo is known to use washi paper for some of their products' wrapping paper at the main store, and that day, Gyokuro was wrapped in such paper. As I unwrapped the paper, I found a tea canister inside the paper box. The retro design on the tea canister, which increases with each purchase, is used for various purposes such as a pen stand or a seasoning container. There is hidden enjoyment in such things. I plan to visit again in the fall.

I went for a walk from the hotel and tried having tea. My wife is experienced in tea ceremony, but as a complete beginner, I found the bitterness overwhelming! I need to study more. The staff guided us to our seats, mentioning that it was less crowded today. My wife usually gives up on buying tea when it's busy, so she seemed relieved. I always make her go through a lot, so maybe I could show a little filial piety this time?

When it comes to Kyoto, I always think of Ippodo Tea Co. This time, I bought some iribancha tea as a souvenir for my tea-loving friends. Giving tea from here makes you look pretty cool, so I recommend it haha. I didn't visit the cafe this time, but their cafe is also recommended.

During my trip, I visited a tea shop where I always get Daifuku tea every spring. It was my first time at the main store, and I didn't know they also had a cafe where you could enjoy tea. Since it was right before closing time, I had to get my order to go, but I couldn't resist trying their matcha latte. It was more delicate and not too sweet compared to other cafes' matcha lattes. It was really delicious.

Sometimes I feel like drinking matcha, and the delicious tea confectionery to go with it is definitely the white bean paste-filled Higashiya mochi. I don't usually buy it for myself, but it tastes really good when paired with light tea. It's a popular spot with inbound customers, but I've never felt like lingering so I've never been turned away. I'd like to try the matcha latte someday.

In the pouring rain, feeling sorry for intruding for shelter, I asked if I could come in, and the staff quietly handed me a plastic bag. "Why don't you put your wet things in here?" they said. In this day and age where you have to pay for bags no matter what you buy, I was a little moved. I received a matcha tea with sweets. The first cup is prepared by the staff, but for the second cup onwards, you pour it yourself with hot water in a navy blue Zojirushi bottle from Ippodo. I want one of those. The warm tea seeped into my chilled body, the atmosphere was pleasant, and I ended up staying longer than planned. On this day, there were more foreigners than Japanese customers.

Revisit 202302 (No. 4275) 1. Purpose of visit - To purchase souvenirs as it is the last day of my Kyoto trip. 2. Shop information - Genre on Tabelog: Japanese tea specialty store - Established in 1717 (2nd year of the Kyoho era), the shop started with "Omiya" opened by Omihonin merchant Toshihyoe Watanabe. - The shop has many outlets in department stores and is a well-known store that anyone with even a slight interest in Japanese tea would know. - Business hours: 10:00-17:00 - Regular holiday: Open every day (except for New Year's holidays) *For the time being, closed on the 2nd Wednesday of the month - Takeout specialty store 3. Crowdedness on the day of visit - Visited around 11:30 on a weekday, with 2 previous customers (Caucasian) and no subsequent customers. 4. Customer service - Handled according to the manual. 5. Purchased items - Matcha sticks (10 sticks): 1,296 yen For this Kyoto trip, I didn't buy many take-home items due to the shop's irregular holidays, but I already had a lot of luggage like a laptop, so I bought the above product to reduce the weight even by 1 gram (laughs). It's a convenient pack of 10 sticks of matcha for on-the-go. It has a well-balanced taste without any strong flavors. Just put a stick in a bottle with water and shake it to enjoy matcha. It's a great product! Thank you for the meal.

Visited Ichibotan, a long-established tea shop in Kyoto, to buy roasted green tea. The shop had a calm atmosphere with a hint of tea scent in the air. The interior had a sales area and a tea space, but unfortunately, they did not offer tasting. I purchased roasted green tea, which was not listed in the product brochure, at a reasonable price of 486 yen for 150g. The tea had a smoky aroma from being roasted over high heat, which may be a matter of personal preference. There were three parking spots available at the back of the shop, but navigating through Kyoto's one-way streets was a bit nerve-wracking.

It's been a while since my last visit. Today, I came to buy tea bags. The staff's polite service is always impressive. As I look around the store, I keep finding things I want and end up buying too much, but today I had a specific item in mind so shopping was smooth. I will enjoy it.

"Ippodo Tea Co. Kyoto Main Store" is a long-established tea shop located along Teramachi Street. It was founded in 1717 (2nd year of the Kyoho era). It is said to have originated from the "Omiya" established by the Omi merchants led by Toshio Watanabe. As expected of the main store, it has a historical atmosphere. I purchased the Special Sencha 50g for 1,620 yen. It has a rich aroma and you can enjoy its elegant flavor."

I visited this shop after trying the tea served at the hotel. It has a charming atmosphere. I bought various teas, but I prefer Yame green tea. However, the hojicha was really good - delicious!

My favorite at Ippodo is the cheapest one, Iri Bancha tea! I love its fragrant and unique aroma. Some people may have preferences, but I prefer Hojicha tea over Iri Bancha because of the different aroma. Iri Bancha has a simple aroma and taste, so I like to pair it with grilled Yomogi mochi. On this particular day, there was a tea tasting event with dishes paired with new tea. The dishes were prepared by the Iga pottery artist Michiho Fukumori, and the tableware was also created by him. The second floor of Ippodo has been turned into a gallery, and the atmosphere with the old ceiling beams was lovely. The tasting event included Hachizuke with hot water poured over the new tea leaves for 40 seconds and then poured over ice. Tempura was paired with cold-brewed new tea. The rice and conger eel cutlet tea-soaked dish was paired with hot water poured over the new tea leaves for 30 seconds. The dessert was paired with new tea brewed at 80°C for 40 seconds, bringing out the sweetness and bitterness of the young leaves. It was a wonderful event, and I hope there will be more like it in the future. I heard that a similar event was held at Ippodo in Tokyo and it sold out quickly, so I hope they will also have a Bancha tea event in the future.

I visited 8 temples including the 33rd temple "Seiwa-in" on my third visit to the 33 Kannon pilgrimage in Luoyang. On my way from Honno-ji to the 4th temple Kakedo Gyo Ganji, I came across "Ippodo Tea Co." Established in 1717, it is a renowned tea shop in Kyoto. I enjoyed the "Iri Ban Cha" I had at the lounge of HOTEL TOU NISHINOTOIN KYOTO last time, so I decided to visit. The old-fashioned exterior and the dyed curtain with "Ippodo Tea" are wonderful. Inside, there is a menu listing all the brands, old tea pots lined up, and a wide variety of tea leaves. I purchased a 150g bag of Iri Ban Cha (486 yen). The tea leaves are of various sizes and shades of brown, giving off a fragrant and smoky aroma due to being roasted. It has a unique taste, so preferences may vary. At the tea room Kaboku, you can relax and enjoy tea and sweets.

I walked around Kyoto and took a little break while buying some tea. I had matcha tea, which came with cute sweets shaped like turnips and persimmons. The matcha had a nice bitterness that soothed my tired body. It paired perfectly with the sweetness of the traditional Japanese sweets, making my mouth happy.

Luxurious Tea Time Takeout at Ippodo Chaho Kyoto Main Store (Japanese Tea, Kyoto City Hall Station) 2021/06/25 Fri 08:40 A stroll in between the rainy season. The weather is nice but so hot!!! While walking on Teramachi Street, I spotted Ippodo. Oh, it's here. Looks like they offer takeout too. Let's try it out since we're here. I'm curious about the matcha, but I usually have it during tea ceremonies, so I'll go for something I don't usually drink. That would be Gyokuro. It would probably be easier to taste the flavor with hot tea, but it's so hot, so I went for the iced version. Stylish cup. The touch is cute, like the Choju-jinbutsu-giga. It seems to be called "Drips of Dew." Ah, delicious...! Refreshing yet full of flavor. The refreshing aroma of tea spreads as soon as you put it in your mouth. The impression is truly green. It feels like being in fresh greenery or a bamboo grove, soothing thirst and heat. The vivid green is beautiful to the eyes. It's a bit pricey (around 500 yen per cup) but you can experience a luxurious feeling and satisfaction. I highly recommend it to those who love Japanese tea.

A Japanese tea specialty shop located in Tokiwagi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto. The nearest station is Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station on the Tozai Line, and it is within walking distance, making it easy to find. The exterior has a traditional tea shop feel, and the interior has a calm atmosphere, creating a cozy space. In addition to tea, they also sell tea utensils. This time, I had roasted green tea and tea sweets. Personally, I prefer stronger flavors, but the tea had a good aroma and paired well with the tea sweets, making it a delicious tea. Thank you for the meal!

This is a shop located a little north from the corner of the City Hall branch on Teramachi 2-dori in Kyoto. It is already famous as a long-established tea shop. In addition to selling tea, they also have a tea room and offer takeaway tea. The atmosphere inside the shop is nice. I have always loved this place. This time, I came to buy tea leaves. There are various types of tea available, each with different grades. This time, I bought a mid-range sencha for everyday use. The staff's service is pleasant and they carefully wrap the tea. It's nice to purchase here. What's appreciative is that there is a booklet on how to brew tea that even foreigners can understand. The tea is delicious, and it's a nice shop with a good atmosphere. I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal.

At Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, every year they dry the plums harvested in the precincts and offer them from December 13th, the day of "Kotohajime," for a few days. These plums are said to bring longevity and happiness when added to hot water or tea on New Year's morning, dispelling disease and evil spirits. My family receives these plums every year and enjoys them with Daifuku tea from Ippodo, a tea shop in Kyoto. This year, we decided to try Ippodo's Daifuku tea, which uses higher quality tea leaves than their premium Genmaicha. It is only available for a limited time from November 15th to January 15th (while supplies last). On New Year's morning, we gathered as a family. When hot water was poured into the teapot, the roasted aroma of brown rice and the fragrance of green tea filled the air. Adding the plum placed at the bottom of the teacup, a subtle plum scent was also present. Stirring the plum with chopsticks intensified the saltiness and acidity, causing everyone's facial expressions to change (laughs). "I hope that this year, the end of the pandemic is near, and peaceful days return." That is our one wish. Thank you for the meal.

This is a long-established tea shop "Kyomeicha" founded in 1717 (Kyoho 2) located on Teramachi Street. They sell high-quality "Kyomeicha" such as matcha, gyokuro, sencha, and hojicha made using the Uji manufacturing method with tea leaves grown in the Kizu River and Uji River climate. They also offer tea brewing classes and introduce ways to enjoy tea at their tea room, Kaki. You can also easily take out tea. The design of the label on the sencha can is elegant, with green edges adorned with flowers, an orange background, and the store name in kanji and Roman letters. The store has a long history, starting with a shop called "Omiya" opened by Toshie Watanabe from Omi in Teramachi Nijo. The store received the name "Ippodo" in 1846 (Koka 3) from the Yamashina Imperial Family, which means "to keep one tea." The main store also has directly managed stores in Tokyo Marunouchi and NY, as well as sales outlets nationwide. The location is about a 5-minute walk from Kyoto City Hall Station, heading north on Teramachi Street. It is a dignified building with a large noren on a black wall. (The previous store was destroyed in the Hamaguri Gate Incident and was rebuilt in 1864 (Genji Yuan).) I visited in the afternoon and, as usual, the store was crowded. However, the tea room, which was full of overseas customers, was available. The left side of the sales floor is lined with tea boxes and teapots, giving it a traditional feel. The price list is written on a paper posted above, but it's best to confirm the details with the staff. I purchased the following items (prices include tax): ● Special Sencha (90g can) (3,240 yen) Limited to the main store. A select sencha made from young buds. The long tea leaves have a needle-like finish, a result of high tea-making technology. When consumed as is, it is crispy and has a savory amino acid taste. Let's brew it. Following the instructions, I used 2 scoops of tea leaves, 120mL of 80°C water for 40 seconds. The color is light with a refreshing aroma, a smooth and good aftertaste. This is truly a high-quality tea! As someone who drinks affordable "deep-steamed tea" every day, I feel like I want a bit more depth... Good tea leaves are one thing, but brewing them properly is another. If I have the chance, I will consider taking a tea brewing class.