Our History
Tea has been rooted in Kyoto for some 1,200 years.
Within that history, we have traded tea for 200 of them.
PrologueTea takes root in Kyoto (805–1738)
Before our founding — how Kyoto and Uji became the capital of tea.
Tea seeds reach Japan
The monk Saicho is said to have brought tea seeds home from Tang China.
Eisai preaches tea
Zen master Eisai brought tea seeds from Song China, and in his Kissa Yojoki called tea “the elixir of health”.
Uji becomes tea's sacred ground
The monk Myoe is said to have planted tea in Uji, which grew into the sacred ground of Japanese tea.
The origin of Obukucha
The monk Kuya is said to have served tea to people suffering in an epidemic — the origin of Obukucha, the New Year tea drunk for health and good fortune.
The Ochatsubo Dochu becomes an institution
The procession carrying Uji's new tea to the shogun becomes an official institution — at its height, a parade of more than 800 people.
The birth of sencha
The aosei sencha method is born in Uji, and sencha spreads across Japan.
Chapter 1Founded in 1818 (1818–1912)
In 1818, a tea merchant house was born in Kamikuze, Kyoto. Selecting tea, judging tea, delivering tea — the work we continue today began here.
The founder opens shop in Kamikuze, Kyoto
The first generation begins trading as a tea merchant, centred on Uji tea.
The trade spreads across Yamashiro
Under the second to fourth generations, from the end of Edo to early Taisho, the business spread across the Yamashiro region.
The Ochatsubo Dochu ends
It ceased with the fall of the shogunate — the last procession was just four people on foot.
Certificate of merit from Kyoto Prefecture at the Fifth National Industrial Exhibition
At the Meiji government's national exhibition, our sencha and domyoji were recognised by the judges and honoured by Kyoto Prefecture — among the earliest public recognitions of our quality.
Chapter 2Broadening the trade (1912–1961)
As Meiji gave way to Taisho and Showa, the family trade took the shape of a company.
Reorganised as a partnership company
The sixth generation looks overseas
The sixth generation exported tea to South America and Manchuria, launched a PR journal, and opened channels to major companies.
A return to Kyoto
After the hardship of a collapsed mail-order network, the man who would become the seventh generation steered the business back to its home ground of Kyoto.
Chapter 3Tradition is innovation (1962–1979)
In 1962 we created Japan's first green tea bag. The spark was a single black-tea bag — a souvenir from abroad shown to the future seventh generation by a friend. “Not something an old house should do,” the industry protested loudly. But he saw a future in which, as life westernised, Japanese tea would drift out of daily life.
Japan's first green tea bag
The future seventh generation travelled himself to Shikoku, the papermaking region, refining prototypes with a machinery maker until it was done. The finished machine was opened to competitors — for the future of tea, there was no reason to keep it to ourselves.
Nitrogen-flush packaging introduced
A pioneering step in preserving quality.
The Ochatsubo Dochu revived after some 106 years
Revived by the future seventh generation. The first procession — some seventy people — walked from Kenninji Temple to Yasaka Shrine. Held every year since on Hachiju-hachiya, it has become an early-summer tradition of Kyoto.
Chapter 4Carrying the culture (1980–2000)
Selling tea and preserving the culture of tea are not separate work.
The seventh generation opens a cultural salon
The monthly salon begun by the seventh-generation head continued for over 30 years and more than 200 sessions. Speakers included Sen Soshitsu, Grand Master of the Urasenke tea school; Kazuo Inamori of Kyocera; Koichi Tsukamoto of Wacoal; and the philosopher Takeshi Umehara.
Publication of the Ochatsubo Dochu Chronicle
Products developed with consumers
Small-pack green tea, premium Japanese tea bags, and cold-brew green tea followed one after another.
“Heiankyo no Obancha Dosu” released
Kyobancha revived through old-style roasting.
The Tokaido Ochatsubo Dochu
Marking 1,200 years since the founding of the Heian capital: 551 people walked some 500 km in 15 days, from Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto to Nihonbashi in Tokyo.
Co-development with Asahi Breweries
Canned kyobancha goes on sale.
Online sales begin
Obukucha offered to Rokuharamitsuji Temple
Supporting a New Year custom a thousand years old.
Chapter 5From Kyoto to the world
Our tea now reaches the tables of world leaders and the matcha glasses of city cafés alike. The discernment of two hundred years, opening to the world.
Becoming Kyoto Chanokura K.K.
The company takes its present name.
Mugekocha served at the G7 Hiroshima Summit
The tea co-created with Yoshihiro Murata of Kikunoi was served at the leaders' luncheon.
More than two hundred years since our founding.
What we see ahead is the view from our 300th year.
In tea's twelve hundred years, our two hundred are still only the middle of the road.
Tradition is innovation — and so we will walk the next hundred years.