Premium Uji Gyokuro (Shaded Green Tea, Loose Leaf)

Ippodo / Marukyu-Koyamaen / specialty Uji houses · Japan
Beverages Green Tea Ambient Established export

The highest grade of steeped Japanese green tea, shade-grown for ~3 weeks to maximize umami and sweetness, brewed at low temperature. Premium Uji gyokuro from houses like Ippodo and Marukyu-Koyamaen sells to connoisseurs via their international/US online shops and specialty tea retailers. A flagship value-per-gram leaf export.

The supplierUji (Kyoto) tea houses — incl. Ippodo, Marukyu-Koyamaen and specialty Uji producers. Premium artisanal-to-mid scale; top houses are export- and English-ready with wholesale channels and authorized importers.
Why it sells abroadThe pinnacle of shaded Japanese green tea — intense umami, prestige Uji terroir, JAS-organic options; connoisseur/fine-dining hook and high margin.

Buyer's brief ✓ SOURCES VERIFIED

CertificationsJAS Organic available on organic lots from major Uji houses (confirmed at house level — Ippodo Organic Gyokuro is JAS-certified; Marukyu-Koyamaen holds JAS organic + kosher). Kosher: confirmed for Marukyu-Koyamaen. HACCP/FSSC: not generally verified. Halal: not verified. (Multi-house category — certification depends on the specific house/lot.)
Pack formatsLoose gyokuro 20g-100g tins/pouches retail; 100g-1kg for cafes/foodservice; case packs vary.
Shelf life6-12 months sealed (delicate shaded tea best fresh; refrigerate to extend).
StorageCold storage, sealed; refrigerate to preserve umami/color.
Minimum orderTypical: importer small-case (high value); larger MOQ for direct wholesale.
Lead timeTypical: 30-45 days ex-Japan.
CapacityLimited premium production (shaded, hand-attended) — allocation-sensitive.
Container loadTypical: light, high-value, LCL common; FCL unusual for single-house gyokuro.
PricingEstimate: premium Uji gyokuro ~US$30-100+/100g retail; competition grade much higher.
OEM / private labelBy-arrangement; mostly own-brand from prestige houses (limited OEM).
Wholesale & MOQTea-house international/US online shops + specialty tea wholesalers (e.g. Ikkyu dento-hon-gyokuro); small-lot premium.
Key exporters & distributorsIppodo Tea Co., Marukyu-Koyamaen Co., Ikkyu Tea
Export regulationGreen-tea pesticide regime; EU MRL 0.01 mg/kg (if EU-shipped); US FDA Prior Notice + EPA tolerances. Premium buyers expect residue documentation.
Market demandConnoisseur + fine-dining + specialty-cafe demand US/CA/DE/FR/GB; premium tea-ceremony/gifting; matcha halo lifts gyokuro awareness.
How to source itUji houses' wholesale (Ippodo / Marukyu-Koyamaen) or specialty importers. FOODEX/JETRO.
Verified sourceshttps://ippodotea.com/blogs/frequently-asked-questions/does-ippodo-sell-organic-tea; https://best-matcha.com/shop/marukyu-koyamaen-2
MakerUji (Kyoto) tea houses
OriginJapan
CategoryBeverages / Green Tea
Available inUnited States, Canada, Germany +2 more
HandlingAmbient
Price tierPremium
ChannelSpecialty
Export readinessEstablished export
HS code0902.10
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Profile maintained by Japonity (japonity.com), May 2026. General sourcing information only — confirm current availability, pricing, MOQ and the destination market's import rules with the maker or exporter before contracting. Japonity is not affiliated with this brand.