Frequently asked questions

Domestic shipping within Japan is free on orders of ¥15,000 or more. Below that, a flat shipping fee applies at checkout. International orders are priced by destination, and free-shipping thresholds vary by region (from ¥15,000 in Asia to ¥24,000 in Europe and Oceania) — the cost is shown before you confirm payment.

We ship from our warehouse in Japan to most countries via Japan Post and EMS. Typical transit times: 5–10 business days to the US and Europe, 3–7 to Southeast Asia and East Asia. Remote locations may take longer. We do not currently ship to countries under trade restrictions.

Import duties and taxes are the responsibility of the recipient and vary by country. We declare all shipments at full value as required by law — we cannot mark packages as gifts or undervalue them. EU customers: VAT is collected at checkout for orders under €150 via IOSS; above that threshold, it is collected on delivery.

Once your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number. Japan Post tracking is available at japanpost.jp. EMS packages can also be tracked through your local postal service website once they arrive in your country.

We pack and dispatch quickly — usually within 1–2 business days. If you need to make a change, contact us immediately. We cannot modify orders that have already been picked up by the carrier.

Keep it away from light, heat, moisture, and strong odours. A sealed tin in a cool, dark cupboard is sufficient for most teas. For gyokuro, kabuse-cha, or first-flush shincha, store in a sealed, odour-proof container in the refrigerator — bring it to room temperature before opening to prevent condensation on the leaves.

Properly stored, most of our green teas are at their best within 12 months of the harvest date. The best-before date printed on the package is a guide — tea does not become unsafe after that date, but aroma and umami will gradually fade. Houjicha and roasted teas are more stable and typically keep well for 18–24 months.

Temperature is the single most controllable variable. As a starting point: 60°C extracts umami and sweetness with minimal bitterness — ideal for gyokuro and covered kabuse-cha. 70–75°C works well for most sencha. 80–85°C is appropriate for houjicha and roasted styles. Each product page lists the specific parameters we use when tasting the tea.

Caffeine content depends on the cultivar, cultivation method (covered vs. open-field), and processing. Covered teas like gyokuro and kabuse-cha tend to have higher caffeine than open-field sencha. We label each tea as Low / Medium / High on the product page. Houjicha is roasted and has notably less caffeine — a reasonable option for evenings.

Yes. Most of our teas yield two to three good infusions. For the second steep, use slightly hotter water (+5–10°C) and a shorter steep time. The first infusion tends to be richest in umami; later infusions are lighter and more vegetal. Gyokuro can often go three or four rounds before the leaves are spent.

Rinse with warm water before first use and after each session. Do not use detergent — unglazed clay is porous and will absorb soap. Allow pieces to dry completely before storing to prevent mould. Over time, the clay will season with tea oils, which is normal and desirable. Avoid sudden temperature changes.

We recommend hand-washing all teaware — dishwashers use high heat and harsh detergents that shorten the life of glazes and can crack unglazed pieces. Microwaving is not suitable for pieces with metallic glazes or gold trim. For fully glazed, non-metallic pieces, brief microwave use is generally fine, but we leave the decision to your discretion.

Handmade Japanese pottery often carries minor surface variations — small kiln marks, slight glaze irregularities, or uneven edges. These are characteristics of the craft, not defects. If you receive a piece with a structural crack that compromises use, please contact us with a photo and we will arrange a replacement or refund.

For one person brewing Japanese green tea in the traditional style, 150–200 ml is the practical range. This allows you to use 4–5 g of leaves and 150 ml of water, which keeps the leaf-to-water ratio right without over-diluting. Smaller 100 ml pots work for gyokuro, where you use very little water per steep.

We cannot accept returns on opened tea for personal taste reasons — once opened, the product cannot be resold. We do provide detailed flavour descriptors, brew parameters, and tasting notes on every product page precisely to help you choose with confidence. If you are unsure, start with a smaller quantity where available.

Contact us within 7 days of delivery with your order number and a photograph of the damage. For broken teaware we will arrange a replacement or full refund. For damaged or compromised tea packaging, we will replace the affected items. Please retain the original packaging until the matter is resolved.

We accept returns or exchanges only when an item is defective or the wrong product was delivered — please contact us within 7 days of receiving it. For hygiene reasons we cannot accept returns of food or tea once opened. We cover return shipping for defective or incorrectly shipped items; otherwise the customer bears the cost.

Check with neighbours and any secure parcel drop points first. If the package genuinely cannot be located, contact us within 14 days of the marked delivery date. We will open an inquiry with the carrier. Resolution timelines vary by country — Japan Post international inquiries typically take 2–4 weeks.

Yes. We work with a small number of cafés, tea bars, and specialty retailers who share our commitment to provenance and quality. Wholesale accounts receive tiered pricing, dedicated sourcing support, and first access to limited-harvest lots. Minimum order quantities apply. To enquire, use the contact form and include your business type and projected monthly volume.

Some teas are available in larger lots (100 g, 200 g) where the farm's harvest allows. For quantities beyond what is listed on the site, contact us — we can sometimes arrange direct farm orders for the following harvest season. Note that single-origin teas are annual and quantities are finite; once a harvest lot is gone, the next will be from the following year's picking.

Single origin is fundamental to how we source and what we represent: every tea we carry is one grower's tea, never mixed with leaf from another farm. We do not produce private-label or custom-blend product. If you want to carry verified single-origin Japanese tea under your own brand, get in touch and we can discuss what that might look like.

We ask prospective wholesale partners to purchase at retail first — this keeps the process straightforward and means you taste exactly what your customers will receive. For accounts ordering in significant volume (above 5 kg per month), we can arrange a curated sample set at wholesale cost. Mention this in your enquiry.