Matsusakaya Biwa no Mukashi

Matsusaka Kahachi founded the company in 1843 after separating from Matsusaka Kan'emon, establishing it under the name "Zaimokuya Kahachi." As a prominent landowner, he held a vast mountainous estate in the Biwa area of Uji—located just south of the present-day Uji City Hall—and played a central role in the Uji tea industry. His work encompassed the entire process, from cultivating and harvesting tea to processing and shipping.

The legacy was carried on by the second-generation head, Kasaburo, followed by the third generation, Kaichi. Today, the fourth-generation head, Yoshio, along with his younger brother Takayoshi, continues to uphold the family tradition. For over 170 years, the historic shop has stood near Agata Shrine in Uji, preserving the spirit and craft of authentic Uji tea. The company remains dedicated to delivering the fragrant, high-quality flavor of genuine Uji tea to tea enthusiasts around the world.

Biwa no Mukashi:

• Aroma: Fragrant and fresh. Notes of sweet hay, nori (seaweed), and tender spring greens
• Taste: rich umami, mild sweet, minimal astringency and creamy