Matsue city is one of the most mystic cities in Japan and famous as the city of water, the chief city of the province of Gods, as mentioned by Lafcadio Hearn [800], and the second largest consumption of Japanese tea in Japan.

Number of tea stores in Matsue city implies the large consumption of Japanese tea.

I’d like to introduce the tea stores in Matsue which I could meet.

1. Katoh Chaho
In the night of fireworks festival in the lake of Shinji-ko, Katoh Chaho sold their teas in front of their store as follows.

The store seemed to be so popular that the line got continuously before and after I lined up, at the same time indicating the popularity of Japanese tea in Matsue. In addition, this store is one of the most long-established tea stores in Matsue, which was established in Meiji 24th (1891).

Perfect to the hot night, they sold cold extracted tea infusions as shown in the picture.

Amazing!! They demonstrated making “Matcha beer”.

The staff prepared matcha and then poured into the cup of beer smoothly.

I bought cold extracted green tea.
Cheers for the great fireworks.

< Shop information>
Location : Nishi-Chamachi 4, Matsue city, Shimane prefecture.
Webpage : Facebook page of Katoh Chaho (in Japanese)

 

2. Scarab 136, managed by Senchaso
Senchaso is one of the most sophisticated tea stores in Matsue.
This company has 3 shops and 2 cafes in Matsue.
The name of café is “Scarab 136”. The appearance of café inside and the skill of staffs are sophisticated. Various tea apparatus well-ordered in the shelf creates a nice atmosphere.

The works of staffs are closely cooperated. The café seems to be in vogue because the café was almost full when I dropped to the café on 4 p.m.

I ordered iced Sencha of bitter type and a set of roasted Sencha and Zenzai with matcha shiratama (“shiratama” is similar rice cake “mochi”).
The staff brewed the Sencha green tea as soon as I ordered. She prepared the water of perfect temperature and then infused into a bowl to get colder, and poured into a grass cup with rock ices.

In the same time, other staffs prepared Zenzai and roasted green tea.
Their hospitality is represented in the iron tea pot in hot state. The staff warmed the iron tea pot during the preparation of Zenzai and roasted tea, in order to keep the roasted tea hot.
Very delicious the teas and Zenzai!!

The shop in AEON Mall Matsue is also well-established.

Various teas are sold. Many of the name of teas are related to the history of Matsue or Shimane prefecture, for example, “Yakumo” which is Japanese name of Lafcadio Hearn, Izumo which is derived from one of the most famous shirines “Izumo Taisha” etc.

< Shop information>
— Scarab 136 —
Location : 1 Chome-3-6 Gakuenminami, Matsue city, Shimane Prefecture
Web page : Facebook page of Scarab 136 (in Japanese)

— Senchaso in AEON Mall Matsue —
Location : Ground floor of AEON Mall Matsue, 151 Higashi Asahi-cho, Matsue city, Shimane Prefecture.
Web page : Senchaso (in Japanese)

 

3. Shiomi Chaya
Shiomi Chaya located next to Matsue castle has both retail booth and café space in the shop.

I could meet “Bote-bote” tea, which is developed by Load Fumai.

In the Edo period he lived, matcha is so expensive that people generally cannot enjoy matcha or tea ceremony. Load Fumai considered that people can enjoy tea in a similar manner of matcha ceremony by using less expensive ingredients. “Bote-bote” tea is made from Bancha with tea flower and other stuffs such as rice, beans, pickles etc., and we can enjoy the tea in the manner where we foam Bancha and mix the other stuffs and then drink up like matcha.

The essence of “Bote-bote” tea is tea flowers in my opinion. I guesses tea saponin containing in tea flower capable tea foaming. In fact, the staff in the shop told that dried tea flowers are necessary for the Bancha used for “Bote-bote” tea.

< Shop information >
Location : 319 Kitahori-cho, Matsue city, Shimane Prefecture.
Web page : Shiomi Chaya (in Japanes)

 

4. Moriyama-en

Moriyama-en provides a wide variety of Japanese tea and related items, such as tea confections, powdered teas and special seasoning using tea etc.

The flavor of tea is good for daily use. Due to deeper-steaming, the teas can be re-steeped many times.

Liquor color and appearance of loose leaf are also good.

Interestingly, the shop sells 2 types of special dressing using Sencha green tea and roasted Sencha.

In addition, there are some powdered tea which can be prepared conveniently, only by pouring hot water. Matcha cappuccino, green tea latte and powdered tea milk etc.

Tea confections are also sold on the shop in less expensive prices.

< Shop information >
Location : Ground floor of AEON Mall Matsue, 151 Higashi Asahi-cho, Matsue city, Shimane Prefecture.
Web page : Moriyama-en (http://moriyamaen.co.jp/) (in Japanese)

 

5. Jusanya (13 nights)
Jusanya is the café serving only Japanese teas with some confections.

This café values terroir of Japanese tea, so the master buys specialty Sencha teas from various tea estates, such as Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Saitama etc.
Unfortunately, when I visited the café closed. If possible, I’d like to re-visit!

< Shop information >
Location : 8-39 Minamitamachi, Matsue city, Shimane Prefecture
Webpage : Unfortunately none.
(There are less information about this café and the location is confused. In my speculation, the master would like to manage the café only for tea fanciers, perhaps.)

 

 

Matsue city is called as various nickname such as the city of water, the chief city of the province of Gods. In addition, I’d like to say Matsue is the city of Japanese teas!!

Cheers! Matsue!! With Sencha and a fantastic sunset on Shinji-ko lake.