Where is MIYAZAKI

Miyazaki Prefecture is actually one of the big producers of Tencha in Japan.

Miyakonojo has the largest area of tea cultivation in the prefecture with a history of over 260 years. The region has received numerous honors, including the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award. Miyakonojo is siutated in a basin surrounded by mountains and shrouded in deep fog. The warm climate of southern Kyushu and the nickname "Kirishima", meaning "misty island" in Japanese,  make it one of the best tea growing areas in Japan.

Hiroyuki Sakamoto

Hiroyuki Sakamoto is the owner of  green tea cafe, Hyuga-Jikan, in Miyazaki. Sakamoto san has been working as a tea wholesaler in his family business for over 20 years. As a tea wholesaler, its his job to rigorously examine and evaluate crude tea using all five senses, appearance, aroma, taste, and touch, to determine its quality. He is an expert of teas and supporter of mika's direction.

  • Tea is transported from tea farmers to markets in a pre-finished state called ARACHA (mainly a single variety, with stems, powder, and leaves of different sizes).

  • ARACHA is examined and evaluated in granular detail to determine its quality. After that,  the tea is sorted into types, such as leaves, stems, and powders. Then the tea is heated to the appropriate degree.

  • The taste and aroma of a single variety will vary considerably. They search for varieties that complement each other to create blends of superior balance and quality. They continue to provide the same level of delicious tea every year.

Maruishi Tea Fields in Miyazaki.

Miyazaki Prefecture is actually one of the big producers of Tencha in Japan.

Miyakonojo has the largest area of tea cultivation in the prefecture with a history of over 260 years. The region has received numerous honors, including the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award. Miyakonojo is siutated in a basin surrounded by mountains and shrouded in deep fog. The warm climate of southern Kyushu and the nickname "Kirishima", meaning "misty island" in Japanese,  make it one of the best tea growing areas in Japan.

One of our favorite matcha is Hinata matcha. The Hinata matcha is the only organic, single origin in Miyazaki,. It is produced by Ishikawa-san, Maruishi tea fields in Cha-usu-baru. Coincidentally, The specific name Cha-usu-baru (茶臼原), roughly to tea millstone field.  茶 means Tea, 臼 means millstone and 原 means field in Japanese Kanji. 

Ishikawa-san has learned his craft through many challenges and failures over the years. His attention to detail extends to the soil, water and even the cycle of the moon. It is shocking how easily one can tell how different each variety of tea tastes.

  • Toru Ishikawa

    Toru Ishikawa is the owner and producer of Maruishi tea farm. He loves teas and dedicated his whole life to the task of making teas that touch people’s lives. 

  • Story of the Matcha

    Maruishi overcame many challenges before succeeding in cultivating and organic tea. Nothing went smoothly. Only with the long term support of three local tea merchants was Maruishi able to succeed in developing its Matcha products.

  • Awarded

    Hinata matcha was awarded the highest gold medal for green tea in Paris, France.