Yamamotoyama Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Nami Yamamoto) will release "Uji Ogura Hand-Picked Gyokuro," made from 100% rare tea leaves from Uji Ogura in Kyoto, the birthplace of gyokuro, starting January 27, 2026 (Tuesday), in a limited edition of 800 pieces.
Development Background: Inheriting Tradition and Redefining "Rich Time"
In 1835 (Tenpō 6), Yamamotoyama's sixth-generation master, Kahei Yamamoto, invented gyokuro in Ogura, Uji. In an era where efficiency is prioritized and the culture of brewing tea in a kyusu (teapot) is fading, Yamamotoyama has deliberately commercialized "the most labor-intensive supreme gyokuro." This product proposes the luxurious time of waiting several minutes for gentle extraction with lukewarm water—a new message from Yamamotoyama.
Product Features and Rarity
1. Tea Leaves from the Sacred Land "Ogura" Protected by Only Two Farms
Currently, only two farms in Ogura produce gyokuro. In this area, which once faced Lake Ogura and became a premium tea production site thanks to abundant fertilization enabled by water transportation, approximately one ton of extremely rare tea leaves harvested during the single month of May are used.
2. Commitment to "Hand-Picking (Natural Form)" Without Damaging Buds
Unlike typical "kamaboko-shaped" tea gardens, skilled pickers carefully pluck "one bud and two leaves" from fields where branches grow naturally. Unlike machine harvesting, this method doesn't damage the leaves, eliminating any astringency from oxidation at cut surfaces and highlighting gyokuro's clear umami.
3. "Winter Aging" Creates Noble Aroma and Deep Umami
The aging period, typically until autumn, has been extended to winter. Building on the absence of astringency from hand-picking, aging further deepens the umami and creates a noble aroma that passes through the nasal cavity.
Taste and Aroma Profile
- Taste: Rich yet refreshing refined umami without bitterness
- Aroma: Distinctive, elegant fragrance reminiscent of high-grade nori seaweed, known as "covered aroma" (ooi-ka)
- Pairing: Best enjoyed with light Japanese sweets or desserts that won't overpower the tea's character
New Product Details
- Product Name: Uji Ogura Hand-Picked Gyokuro (GR-UT)
- Contents: 30g tea leaves
- Price: ¥10,800 (tax included)
- Best Before: 240 days (unopened)
- Release Date: January 27, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Sales Quantity: Limited to 800 pieces
- Packaging: Wooden box, original can, furoshiki wrapping
- Sales Outlets: Yamamotoyama stores nationwide with sales staff, official online shop, and retailers carrying Yamamotoyama gift products
- URL: https://yamamotoyama.co.jp/pages/ujigyokuro
Store Locations
- Store List: https://yamamotoyama.co.jp/pages/shoplist
- Online Store: https://yamamotoyama.co.jp/
About Yamamotoyama
Founded in 1690 (Genroku 3) by the first-generation Kahei Yamamoto in Edo's Nihonbashi, driven by the desire to "let many people taste delicious tea from Uji." The company became known as Edo's premier tea merchant by being the first to sell "Aoseisen-cha" (fresh green tea) in Edo. In 1835, the sixth-generation Kahei Yamamoto invented gyokuro. From the Showa era, the company began selling nori seaweed and continues to provide new value through tea and nori to domestic and international markets, transcending tradition.
