Kyoto is the heart and soul of Japan, and Uji is the place where the culture of matcha (powdered green tea) is still alive. 2024 will see matcha as a core element of tourism in Uji. In particular, the reopening of “TEA SQUARE MORIHAN” in Uji City is introducing a new attraction: matcha green tea sweets.
The store offers a wide variety of sweets, including traditional matcha pudding and baked sweets. The “Matcha Mont Blanc,” in particular, is a dish that offers the perfect harmony of Japanese chestnut paste and Uji matcha green tea. Since it is made to order and prepared right before your eyes, it is characterized by its fresh taste.
The “Matcha Roastery” also offers a new type of sweet treat using roasted matcha, which is made by roasting Uji’s first harvest Isocha green tea in house and grinding it on a stone mortar. The roasted matcha is available in light, medium, and dark roast degrees, each with a different flavor.
At Nakamura Tokichi Honten, a long-established tea merchant in Uji, freshly ground matcha is used in the popular “Namaicha Zerii Matcha”. It is made with the minimum amount of sweetness necessary to preserve the tea’s natural taste and aroma. There are also many other high-end sweets using Uji matcha, such as “Uji Honore” from Rihei Tsuji Honten.
These matcha sweets are a fusion of Japanese tradition and innovation, and offer an excellent opportunity for foreign visitors to Japan to experience the depth of Japanese culture. Uji’s matcha sweets continue to attract visitors with their green hues and rich aroma that symbolize the beauty of Japan. Uji’s matcha culture will continue to be loved by people around the world.
Inheritance of Tradition
Uji’s matcha culture has a long history and is known throughout the world as a traditional Japanese culture. This article will help you understand how Uji continues to establish its position as a matcha production center.
The article mentions such renowned stores as the long-established tea merchants Nakamura Tokichi Honten and Tsuji Rihei Honten, each of which pursues the essence of matcha with its own unique production method. The deep flavor and aroma of matcha is like a work of art created by Japanese nature and craftsmanship.
A Wave of Innovation
On the other hand, Uji’s matcha culture is also experiencing a wave of innovation. The reopening of TEA SQUARE MORIHAN and the introduction of a new type of sweet called “matcha roastery” have breathed new life into the tradition.
These attempts are wonderful opportunities to bring out the new appeal of matcha and spread matcha culture to the younger generation and foreign tourists. These moves to expand the possibilities of matcha are an important step toward ensuring that Uji’s matcha continues to be a world-class culture.
Attractiveness as a Tourist Attraction
Uji’s matcha is gaining value not only as a beverage or a sweet, but also as a tourism resource. For foreign visitors to Japan, experiencing matcha in Uji is a valuable opportunity to experience the depth of Japanese culture. Through matcha sweets, visitors can experience the beauty of Japan’s four seasons and the Japanese spirit. The rich experience offered by Uji’s matcha culture will be an unforgettable memory for many visitors to Japan.
Uji’s matcha culture is a perfect blend of tradition and innovation that attracts people from all over the world. Uji’s matcha will continue to maintain its appeal, will continue to be loved by many, and will continue to play an important role in Japan’s tourism industry.
