A century of proof
Maiko Tea Japan is the house of the Tamiya family and the Yamashita gyokuro masters of Kyotanabe. What follows is the record, in full. Every prize below was won by a tea we grow, blend, or finish ourselves.
Two moments, forty years apart
Yamashita Toshikazu demonstrated the hand-rolling craft, temomi, to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
Our gyokuro Yashiki no Cha was served to Their Majesties during their stay in London.
Yamashita Toshikazu
Across three decades Yamashita Toshikazu took the National Tea Competition’s first prize in gyokuro seven times, and was named a Master Craftsman first by Kyoto, then by Japan.
Shinki Yamashita
In 2022, Shinki Yamashita, grandson of Toshikazu, won the Minister’s Award for gyokuro at the 76th National Tea Competition — the family’s first national first prize of the new generation.
Every medal, and the tea it belongs to
Gyokuro
Gyokuro “Takumi”
Japan Tea Grand Prize, the highest award of the Japanese Tea Award, Tokyo, 2015. Silver, Japanese Tea Selection Paris, 2019.
Gyokuro “Yashiki no Cha”
Grand Prix, the highest gyokuro honour. Japanese Tea Selection Paris, 2021. Served to the Emperor and Empress, London, 2007.
Kyotanabe Gyokuro
Gold, gyokuro division. Japanese Tea Selection Paris, 2022. A blend of three national-champion gardens, by the hand of our president, Masayasu Tamiya.
Matcha
Matcha “Koetsu”
Silver, matcha division, chosen from 129 matcha. Japanese Tea Selection Paris, 2019.
Sencha
Organic Sencha “Kin-jirushi”
Silver, sencha division, Paris, 2022. Excellence Award, The Leafies, 2023.
Not competitions, but standards we hold
JAS Organic
Japan’s national organic standard. Held by our Kokoro matcha, organic sencha, and Earth’s Gyokuro.
Premium Uji
A Kyoto tea-industry quality inspection. Held by our Yamashita-Jirushi gyokuro, Maruyama sencha, and Yashiki no Cha.