Tsuen Head Shop

On the way to Byodoin Temple from Keihan Railway’s Uji Station, there is a teahouse called Tsuen Head Shop by the Uji River. When I was in Uji on an errand, I happened to pass by this tea store and thought, “I’m a little tired, so let’s take a break,” and went straight in. I was unaware that this store is one of the oldest in Japan, and probably in the world…

Founded in 1160, Tsuen is an extremely long-established tea shop, and is even mentioned in the Kojien dictionary… 

Actually, Tsuen Head Shop has a very long history and tradition, having been established in 1160. This year marks 865 years since its establishment, which is so long-established that even Honke Owariya, founded in 1465 in Kyoto, can be treated as a child. It is said that this store is the oldest tea shop in Japan. Many people think of Shizuoka Prefecture as the first place that comes to mind when they think of famous tea production areas in Japan, but when you learn of the existence of this store, don’t you feel like refuting the common knowledge that “Shizuoka is more famous than Kyoto”?

Because of this, the furnishings displayed in the restaurant are also national treasures. For example, a wooden statue said to have been made by monk Ikkyu, a fishing bottle made by Toyotomi Hideyoshi for Sen no Rikyu, and many other items that could easily be displayed in a museum or art gallery. When you visit the main store, please pay attention to these furnishings as well as to a cup of tea.

I ordered a set of “Uji-cha” at Tsuen Head Shop 

Let me introduce the “Uji-cha” that I ordered at Tsuen Head Shop. This “Uji-cha” is a set menu that allows us to choose one from each of the following three types of tea: 

• Matcha “Houou no Mukashi” 
• Gyokuro ‘Fujitsubo’ 
• Sencha “Asakaze” 

and one from each of the following three types of tea accessories: 

• Yokan 
• Tea dumplings
• Monaka 

The price is 1000 yen including tax no matter which combination you choose… 

image 

This time I ordered the combination of “Houou no Mukashi” matcha green tea and Tea dumplings. The Tea dumplings are said to be the specialty of the Tsuen Head Shop, so I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to try them.

This time I ordered the combination of “Houou no Mukashi” matcha green tea and Tea dumplings. The Tea dumplings are said to be the specialty of the Tsuen Head Shop, so I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to try them.

I immediately tried the famous Tea dumpling… It was a little sticky, and when I chewed it, I could taste the flavor of tea leaves and a hint of gentle sweetness. Each dumpling is only about 1 cm in diameter, so even if I finish it, it will not fill me up, but I can feel the quality of the dumpling, and I think one of its advantages is that it is easy enough to eat anytime because it does not burden my stomach.

The matcha “Houou no Mukashi” that comes with the Tea dumplings is well whisked so it is fluffy on the palate, but the bitterness of the tea leaves comes a little later with a thud. Recently, there seem to be many matcha teas that are easy to drink with a moderate bitterness, but this matcha is the opposite of that. It is very close to the image of matcha that I have had since I was a child, and I feel that it has a thick core that is not affected by the current of the times.

If I were to rate the “Uji-cha” at Tsuen Head Shop imply in terms of volume, I would call it “unaffordable,” but I personally think it was very good because I could clearly feel a kind of “old-fashioned atmosphere” that you cannot get from similar menus at trendy cafes these days. I personally think it was very good. I felt that the tea dumplings and green tea set connected some of the bits and pieces of Japanese history that I had learned in school. I think it would be a shame to use this store as a mere café spot…. If you have a chance to visit the restaurant, I hope you will enjoy not only the food but also the furnishings inside the restaurant, the view of the Uji River, and everything else related to the restaurant.

Examples of other café menu items at Tsuen Head Sho (prices include tax) 

• Matcha Parfait 1000 yen 
• Mini Parfait Set (Mini Parfait, Matcha “Houjyoku”, and 2 tea dango) 1000 yen 
• Matcha Zenzai 
• Sundae (matcha or hojicha) 980 yen 
• Shiratama Zenzai 860 yen 
• Cold Zenzai 860 yen 
• Ujikintoki Soft Ice Cream 700 yen

You can purchase the famous Tea dumplings at the store next door…To get to the Tsuen Head Shop, a 2-minute walk from the nearest station, Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line. 

The Tsuen Head Shop also has a store next to the tea store where you can purchase the famous tea dumplings and high-grade Uji tea. The store’s policy seems to be not to open branches or open stores at department stores, so you can only find what you are looking for here. In these days when online shopping has become the norm, it is inconvenient to sell only in-store, but the quality of the products sold only here is of extremely high. If you find something you like at this store, it is better to stock up as much as your circumstances allow!

Now, here are the details of the store…