A Journey of Takayama Chasen Craftsmanship: West Coast Tour with Tango Tanimura
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the successful completion of the West Coast tour by Mr. Tango Tanimura. We are deeply thankful to everyone who participated in...
How to Brew Shincha (First Harvest Green Tea) : Enjoying the Fresh Taste of Spring
Each spring, tea lovers in Japan eagerly await the arrival of Shincha (First Harvest Green Tea), the year's first harvest of green tea. Made from the tender young leaves picked during...
How Many Tines Should a Chasen Have? - Choosing Quality Beyond Numbers
When choosing a chasen (matcha whisk), many people assume that more tines mean better quality. It’s a natural assumption—but not quite true. How many tines should a good chasen (matcha...
Experience a 500-Year Tea Tradition Live Chasen Demonstration in Portland and the Bay Area
We are honored to welcome Tango Tanimura, a 20th-generation chasen (bamboo whisk) master, for a rare series of live demonstrations in Portland and the Bay Area. The chasen is an essential...
Why Is Zen Calligraphy Displayed in the Tea Room?
— The Meaning of a Single Scroll in the Tokonoma — In a traditional Japanese tea room, a Zen calligraphy scroll is almost always displayed in the tokonoma alcove. But...
How to Prepare a New Cast Iron Tea Kettle (Tetsugama)
If you’ve recently acquired a new cast iron tea kettle (tetsugama), a simple preparation process will ensure it is ready for safe and long-lasting use. Why Preparation Is Needed...
Love Matcha Lattes—but Not the Caffeine?
Meet Japan’s Low-Caffeine (Decaf) Matcha If you love matcha lattes but sometimes hesitate because of caffeine, you’re not alone. Many matcha fans enjoy the creamy, earthy comfort of a latte—but...
Start the New Year with an Aotake - Fresh Green Bamboo Whisk
Why Green Bamboo Whisks Are Used for the New Year in Japanese Tea Ceremony In Japan, the New Year is welcomed with quiet rituals that emphasize renewal, gratitude, and intention.One...
Start the New Year the Japanese Way — with Obukucha (Lucky Tea)
In Japan, the New Year is not just a date on the calendar — it’s a moment of renewal.Because Japan has four distinct seasons, people have long celebrated the changing...
500 Years in His Hands: The Extraordinary Craft of 20th-Generation Chasen Master Tanimura Tango
Meet Tanimura Tango: 20th-Generation Master of a 500-Year Tea Whisk Legacy In the quiet mountain village of Takayama in Nara—where bamboo forests sway with centuries of history—stands a family that...
Upholding the True Spirit of Matcha — As an Official Retailer of Marukyu Koyamaen —
Introduction At Nara Tea, our mission has always been to share the authentic heart of Japanese tea culture with our community here in the United States. As an official retailer...
How to Keep Matcha Fresh – Color, Flavor & Storage Tips
The Freshness, Color, and Flavor of Matcha – How to Store It Properly at Home Matcha is more than a powdered green tea — it’s a living expression of freshness,...