11 Best Uji Matcha Cafes and Tea Shops in Kyoto

Get to know Uji matcha

During the Kamakura period (1180-1336,) the Japanese Zen Buddhist monk Eisai brought green tea plant seeds from China back to Japan. This marked the beginning of green tea cultivation in Japan and the citizens adopted the habit of drinking tea. Kyoto's Uji region, with its ideal climate for green tea cultivation, is located near Kyoto City, the ancient capital where the emperor resided at the time. The tea grown in Uji received support from the emperor and the Ashikaga shogunate, which helped make "Kyoto Uji matcha" famous throughout Japan.

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Kyoto Prefecture's Uji City is renowned for its matcha, with several famous matcha shops headquartered there. However, you can also find many notable matcha shops in Kyoto City's bustling Gion district and around Kyoto Station. Below, we've compiled all the shops introduced in this article into a map, so make sure to save it to your favorites before exploring the area.

When traveling to Kyoto, opt for one of two budget-friendly travel passes—the Kansai Area Pass and the Kansai Wide Area Pass. Both tickets cover Uji City, with the main difference being that the Kansai Wide Area Pass has broader coverage, including Okayama and Tottori prefectures.

Gion Tsujiri Main Store

The Uji tea specialty shop Gion Tsujiri was founded in Kyoto's Gion district in 1948. The shop's interior design is inspired by the tea ceremony’s concept of kirei-sabi, the aesthetic of elegant beauty. On the first floor, you can order matcha lattes, hot and cold matcha, and various matcha ice creams as takeaway.

In the gift section, you'll find a wide range of beautifully packaged souvenirs such as matcha powder, matcha cream-filled wafers, and matcha cookies, all popular items perfect as souvenirs.

If you're short on time and can't shop for souvenirs in person, you can conveniently purchase many of Gion Tsujiri's products tax-free on WAmazing Shop. After ordering, you can collect your items from special lockers at designated airports before returning home.

Gion Tsujiri Main Store
Address: 573-3 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 3-min walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Electric Railway)
Official website: https://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/en/

Fukujuen Kyoto Main Store

Established in 1790, the long-established tea shop Fukujuen has its main store in Kyoto, spreading across ten floors, of which the first basement floor to fifth floor are open for visitors. Each floor offers unique experiences that matcha enthusiasts won't want to miss.

A highlight is the third-floor restaurant, Maison de Matsuda Fukujuen, adorned with kyoyuzen (elaborately dyed textiles) works by Tokio Hata (1911-2008,) a designated Living National Treasure. The restaurant utilizes exquisite Kyoto tableware and serves refined French cuisine by chef Yoshiyuki Matsuda, who incorporates green tea in every dish, seamlessly blending Uji tea with French culinary art.

Fukujuen's signature product is its Uji tea, a tradition maintained for over 200 years. Their matcha powder has been a popular souvenir since the shop's opening, which you can also purchase on WAmazing Shop.

Fukujuen Kyoto Main Store
Address: Corner of Shijo Tominokoji, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 7-min walk from Karasuma Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line) and Shijo Station (Subway Karasuma Line;)12-min walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Electric Railway)
Official website: https://www.fukujuen-kyotohonten.com/en/

Saryo Tsujiri Gion Main Store

Saryo Tsujiri is part of Gion Tsujiri, introduced earlier. To make tea brewing and the enjoyment of matcha more accessible and enjoyable, the group established Saryo Tsujiri in 1978.

The shop primarily offers matcha-based dishes, with popular items including matcha soba noodles and matcha parfaits. The menu features a wide variety of options, making it a must-visit spot.

Saryo Tsujiri Gion Main Store
Address: Gion Tsujiri Main Store 2-3F, Shijo-dori, Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 3-min walk from Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Electric Railway)
Official website: https://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/en/

Itohkyuemon JR Uji Station Store

Founded in 1832, Itohkyuemon is renowned for selling high-quality Uji matcha. In recent years, the shop has focused on developing matcha desserts to share local tea culture with the world.

At the tea room of Itohkyuemon's JR Uji Station Store, you can enjoy matcha sweets, matcha roll cakes, and matcha soba noodles. Recently, their matcha curry has become quite popular, so be sure to try it when you visit.

The store also offers a wide variety of popular souvenirs, including matcha chocolates and cookies. You can also conveniently purchase Itohkyuemon's matcha chocolate sandwich cookies at tax-free prices on WAmazing Shop.

Itohkyuemon JR Uji Station Store
Address: 16-1 Uji Umonji, Uji-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from JR Uji Station (JR Nara Line;) 15-min walk from Uji Station (Keihan Electric Railway)
Official website: https://www.itohkyuemon.co.jp/corporate/shop/jruji/

Maccha House Kyoto Kawaramachi

Unlike the long-established traditional matcha shops mentioned earlier, Maccha House Kyoto opened its first store in Kyoto's Kawaramachi district in 2015. It specializes in matcha desserts and beverages.

One of their signature items, the Uji matcha tiramisu, is served in a traditional Japanese sake drinking vessel called masu. Its beautiful presentation and unique concept have made it one of the representative matcha desserts in Kyoto.

Maccha House Kyoto Kawaramachi
Address: 382-2 Komeya-cho, Shijo-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)
Official website: https://maccha-house.com/1174/ (in Japanese only)

Nakamura Tokichi Main Store

Established in 1854, Nakamura Tokichi is a renowned tea merchant with a 170-year history. Their Uji main store and Byodoin Temple branch in Kyoto have become popular tourist destinations, known for their traditional Japanese desserts like matcha parfaits. The highlight, however, is the Maruto Parfait, featuring a crest made from matcha powder and cream, served in a bamboo tube, celebrated for its exquisite appearance.

The store is divided into a dining area and a souvenir shop. During holidays and peak seasons, you’ll have to get a numbered ticket to enter the store.

Nakamura Tokichi Main Store
Address: 10 Uji Ichiban, Uji-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 2-min walk from JR Uji Station; 12-min walk from Uji Station (Keihan Electric Railway)
Official website: https://global.tokichi.jp/

Tsujirihei Main Store

Located in Uji City, Tsujirihei Main Store is somewhat hidden among residential alleys, away from popular tourist spots like Byodoin Temple and Uji Shrine.

Their signature matcha jelly dessert incorporates mochi rice cakes and red beans. It’s a delightful combination of chewy mochi, sweet red beans, and aromatic matcha, making it a must-try.

The establishment features a traditional Japanese garden, allowing you to leisurely enjoy the natural scenery while dining inside. Before leaving, browse the on-site shop, which sells a variety of homemade matcha products ideal for souvenirs.

Tsujirihei Main Store
Address: 41 Uji Wakamori, Uji-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 4-min walk from JR Uji Station (JR Nara Line)
Official website: https://www.tsujirihei.co.jp/en/

Cafe & Sweets Ki No Ne

Despite being nestled in the bustling Kyoto Kawaramachi area, Cafe & Sweets Ki No Ne offers a tranquil ambiance to enjoy matcha desserts.

The cafe boasts a rich menu featuring cakes, parfaits, and traditional Japanese sweets. One of their highlights is the intensely flavorful Koicha Montblanc—a dense matcha chestnut cake filled with fresh cream, offering a perfectly balanced sweetness and exquisite taste.

Cafe & Sweets Ki No Ne
Address: Kuramoto Building 4F, 384 Komeya-cho, Shijo-agaru, Kawaramachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 5-min walk from Gion-shijo Station (Keihan Electric Railway;) short walk from Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Kyoto Line)
Official website: https://kyoto-kinone.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Malebranche Kyoto Kitayama Main Store

Malebranche Kyoto Kitayama Main Store's matcha cookie "Cha-no-ka" is made with carefully selected Uji Shirakawa tea leaves and rich white chocolate, offering a delightful balance of color, aroma, and flavor. It's definitely a must-buy souvenir when visiting Kyoto.

Despite being located near the less touristy Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Malebranche Kyoto Kitayama Main Store attracts a large number of visitors daily, and also has branches near Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Arashiyama, and Kyoto Tower.

Malebranche Kyoto Kitayama Main Store
Address: Shokubutsuenkitamon-mae, Kitayama-dori, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Kitayama Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line)
Official website: https://www.malebranche.co.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Chez Hagata

Chez Hagata, located near Mimurotoji Temple in Uji City, is renowned for its unique matcha French terrine. Made from simple ingredients like cream, white chocolate, matcha, sugar, eggs, and flour, its unchanged recipe has won over many connoisseurs with its straightforward yet delicious matcha flavor.

Chez Hagata
Address: 44-11 Todotani-sagari, Uji-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 3-min walk from Mimurodo Station (Keihan Electric Railway)
Official website: https://www.kyoto-sweet.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Otabe Main Store

Otabe is famous for its traditional wagashi confectionery nama-yatsuhashi, which features a soft, mochi-like skin filled with red bean paste. The store offers two types of workshops for visitors. You can make your nama-yatsuhashi by starting from raw dough, suitable for children from fifth grade as kneading is necessary. The other experience is more suitable for younger children, as they only need to fold the square-shaped yatsuhashi skins and fill them with red bean paste. The experience takes just half an hour, making it a convenient and enjoyable activity for travelers visiting Kyoto.

Otabe Main Store
Address: 35-2 Nishikujo Takahata-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from JR Tambaguchi Station
Official website: https://www.otabe.kyoto.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Buy matcha sweets on WAmazing Shop

This article highlighted several famous matcha specialty shops in Kyoto, featuring their signature sweets and recommended souvenirs. Don't forget to check out WAmazing Shop for a wide selection of high-quality matcha products, which you can order online and collect from lockers at designated airports across Japan.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.