Even the Japanese Imperial Family loves this flavor – A Century-old Uji Matcha Tea House

Text and photos byKavanagh

Nakamura Tokichi is a matcha café operated by a tea merchant with over 200 years of history. It holds an undisputed top spot in Kyoto’s matcha scene and is one of the must-visit eateries for travelers coming to Kyoto. Nakamura Tokichi has three branches and one takeout shop in Kyoto, two of which are located in the Uji area – one is the Nakamura Tokichi Uji Main Store featured today, and the other is the Nakamura Tokichi Byodoin Store next to Byodoin Temple. The remaining two branches are both inside the Isetan Department Store at Kyoto Station: the Nakamura Tokichi Kyoto Station Store and the Kyoto Station Store NEXT, which is dedicated to takeout. I’ve been to Nakamura Tokichi many times, mostly to the conveniently located Kyoto Station Store, visiting five times in total. As for the Uji Main Store, I had only visited once before, and this trip marked my second visit to the Uji Nakamura Tokichi Main Store.

A brief introduction to the history of Nakamura Tokichi: The store name “Nakamura Tokichi” comes from the name of its founding owner. In 1854 (the first year of the Ansei era), the first-generation Nakamura Tokichi established a tea business at the current location of the Nakamura Tokichi Uji Main Store. Due to the high quality of the tea sold, it received widespread acclaim and was even presented twice as a tribute to Emperor Taisho and Emperor Showa, which speaks volumes about its exceptional quality. On June 1, 2001, the tea factory was renovated into a café where visitors could enjoy tea and a variety of matcha sweets. This café is the Nakamura Tokichi Main Store introduced here. In 2006, the Byodoin Store was opened next to Byodoin Temple, and in 2008, the Kyoto Station Store was launched at Kyoto’s gateway, Kyoto Station. With the expansion of its branches, the name Nakamura Tokichi has grown increasingly prominent, gradually becoming one of the representative shops for Kyoto’s matcha and wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets).

After exiting Uji Station, walk straight into the small alley directly opposite the station and continue for about two minutes to reach the Nakamura Tokichi Main Store. The building of the Nakamura Tokichi Main Store retains its original appearance from over 200 years ago when it was first established, which is why it was selected as an Important Cultural Landscape of Uji in 2009.

As soon as you enter the gates of Nakamura Tokichi, you’re greeted by the rich aroma of matcha – this scent is also one of my strongest impressions of the place. Nakamura Tokichi is often bustling with customers, and today was no exception, with a full house of people waiting in front of the café... At the waiting area near the entrance, I wrote my name on the waitlist and found a spot to rest... waiting for the staff to call my name. That wait lasted a full hour and a half.

(Time flies – let’s jump ahead to an hour and a half later) After a long wait, the staff finally called my name, and I quickly raised my hand. The staff member recognized me, confirmed my name, and led me into the café.

MENU~

The MENU offers a variety of tea treats, matcha desserts, and Uji tea. Last time I ordered the matcha with kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) ice, and this time I originally wanted to try something else (like tea snacks or white bean mochi dessert), but it was simply too hot that day – I couldn’t go for any warm or hot desserts, and I had already tried the matcha snacks at the Kyoto Station branch last time. So in the end, I went with the matcha with kuromitsu ice again~

Matcha with Kuromitsu Ice (880 yen)

When the shaved ice was served, the toppings (matcha and kuromitsu) were not poured on for you – you had to do it yourself based on your preference. On top of the ice was a scoop of ice cream, and beneath it were white bean mochi and red bean paste.

Matcha Syrup

Kuromitsu Syrup

Pour the toppings according to your taste~

As expected of the renowned matcha shop Nakamura Tokichi – the matcha syrup had a rich matcha flavor, along with a subtle bitterness that balanced the sweetness, much like drinking tea – and it left a lingering sweet aftertaste. The kuromitsu was sweet but not cloying, and paired wonderfully with the smooth, fine-textured shaved ice. Delicious and refreshing – perfect for beating the heat.

Information about the Nakamura Tokichi Main Store:
Business Hours: 10:00–17:30 (for tea sales), 11:00–17:30 (for the café)
Transportation: JR Uji Station – exit and walk straight across the street for about three minutes

Kavanagh @ Kyoto Free Stay