Introducing Nikko Toshogu Imperial Tea: A Premium Japanese Tea in the Nikko Onsen Box

Have you heard of the tradition of “Imperial Tea”?

Tea is a key part of both everyday life and special occasions in Japan. For New Year’s celebrations, there’s no better way to begin the year than with a cup of Nikko Toshogu Imperial Tea, perfectly paired with special meals and sake.

What is Imperial Tea (献上茶)?

“Imperial Tea,” or Kenjo-cha (献上茶), refers to the highest-quality tea, traditionally offered to imperial courts, temples, and shrines. It represents the pinnacle of Japan’s tea culture, crafted with great care to meet the most refined tastes.

The Nikko Toshogu Imperial Tea is a prized tea presented at Nikko Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate. Made from Hon-yama Tea grown in Shizuoka, it is aged carefully in a historic quarry, enhancing its umami and aroma. The term “Kenjo-cha” signifies the tea’s ceremonial importance and its status as a premium product.

The Origins of Nikko Toshogu Imperial Tea

More than 400 years ago, Tokugawa Ieyasu, a tea enthusiast, enjoyed the finest tea. He favored Hon-yama Tea, cultivated in Shizuoka’s Abekawa and Warashina river regions, known for their mineral-rich soil and ideal climate for tea. To further enhance its flavor, the tea was stored at high altitudes—over 1,000 meters above sea level—at the Dainichi Pass Tea Storage House. There, it would mature for several months, developing a rich and deep flavor.

Reviving a Historic Tradition

Nakajimaen, a historic tea producer in Tochigi Prefecture, has revived this Edo-era tea-making tradition. Hon-yama Tea from Shizuoka is now aged for over three months in the Oya Stone Quarry, where the natural zeolite effects further deepen the tea’s flavor and aroma. This exceptional tea has been officially recognized as an offering to Nikko Toshogu Shrine and is used during the shrine’s seasonal ceremonies.

Why Does Aging Enhance Flavor?

As the tea ages, it undergoes subtle chemical changes that deepen its flavor, reduce bitterness, and enhance its natural sweetness. The unique environment of the Oya Quarry, with its stable temperature and humidity, along with the zeolite effects of Oya stone, creates an ideal condition for this aging process.

A Rare and Premium Experience

Nikko Toshogu Imperial Tea is a rare and refined tea that embodies Japan’s rich tea heritage. Its deep, complex flavor pairs beautifully with traditional Japanese sweets, making it the perfect choice to celebrate the New Year.

Now, this prestigious tea is available in the Nikko Onsen Box, allowing you to bring the elegance of Japan’s tea tradition into your home. Don’t miss out on experiencing the tea cherished by Tokugawa Ieyasu and honored at Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

Start the year with a cup of history and sophistication!