Nakamura Tokichi Main Branch

As a matcha lover, I can confidently say this was one of the most memorable matcha experiences I had in Japan. 🍵💚 Everything here revolves around showcasing the true character of Uji matcha. The matcha flavor was incredibly rich, deep, and aromatic, with a natural sweetness followed by a pleasant lingering bitterness that never felt overpowering. You can immediately tell they take great pride in the quality of their tea. I ordered the seasonal matcha parfait and was impressed by how each layer highlighted a different aspect of matcha. From the velvety matcha cream and jelly to the intensely flavored matcha ice cream, every component felt balanced and carefully crafted. The complimentary tea service was also a lovely touch, allowing me to appreciate the delicate flavors of traditional Uji tea before enjoying dessert. The queue can be long, but for anyone who truly appreciates matcha, this place is much more than a dessert shop—it’s a complete matcha experience. The atmosphere, presentation, tea culture, and exceptional quality make it well worth the wait. A must-visit destination for matcha enthusiasts visiting Kyoto. 🍃✨

The desserts here are really tasty. The maruto parfait (¥2,180) was soft and filled with many different ingredients from matcha ice cream to chiffon, shiratama, red beans and roasted millet. This gave the parfait a complex flavour profile with different textures and tastes. Our personal favourite was the namacha matcha zelly (¥1,800) as the matcha ice cream and matcha jelly were both delicious and came in a pretty generous portion. The matcha float (¥980) was pretty good too, though the ice cream was nothing special. We reached at 10am and got a number which allowed us to check our queue status online to see how many groups were ahead of us. Took about 1hr 15 mins to clear the 26 groups ahead of us. Do note there is a minimum order of 1 item per person. While the desserts were really tasty, the total bill was ¥4,960 for 3 items which is a bit pricey. In addition, we had a bad seat indoors which was beside the door to the outdoor seating. Guests who kept entering and leaving the outdoor area would leave the door ajar and leave us chilly and freezing, making us consistently close the doors after them. A good place for dessert but it is on the expensive side and requires a long wait so would recommend it only if you are okay with waiting and paying.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nakamura Tokichi Honten is an exceptional matcha-focused café and restaurant with a long-standing reputation for quality and tradition. The atmosphere is calm and refined, offering a peaceful escape that reflects the heritage of Uji’s tea culture. The matcha desserts and drinks are the highlight, especially the signature parfaits and teas which are rich, balanced, and clearly made with premium ingredients. Presentation is elegant, and every detail feels carefully considered. Service is attentive despite the popularity of the venue, and the experience feels well organised even when it’s busy. It’s definitely worth the wait if there is a queue. Overall, it’s a must-visit in Uji for anyone who appreciates high-quality matcha and traditional Japanese dessert craftsmanship.

This place is one of Uji’s most iconic destinations for matcha lovers, and the experience truly lives up to its reputation. The menu is extensive, beautifully crafted, and deeply rooted in Uji’s tea culture. Prices vary depending on the dish, but most items fall between ¥500 and ¥2,400, with parfaits and soba sets on the higher end and sweets like tea jelly or ice cream on the lower end. A Menu Built Around Premium Tea The café specializes in matcha, gyokuro, and hojicha, and this expertise is reflected in nearly every item. For example, the Tea Jelly [Matcha] is described as having “mellow umami and delicate sweetness… elegance balanced with bitterness, astringency and a deep aroma” . Their matcha ice cream is made using freshly ground matcha produced in-house, ensuring exceptional freshness and flavor. The seasonal parfaits are another highlight. The Spring Maruto Parfait includes layers of matcha ice cream, chiffon cake, strawberry cream, and their signature matcha tea jelly, offering a complex and luxurious dessert experience . Autumn and gyokuro versions also appear seasonally, each showcasing different tea varieties and seasonal ingredients. For those who prefer something warm and comforting, the Uji Tencha Buckwheat Noodles (served hot or cold) combine rare hand-picked tencha leaves with a rich broth and chewy soba noodles. The documents emphasize that the tea leaves used are extremely scarce, harvested only once a year by hand, making the dish truly special . Traditional Japanese Sweets The café excels in wagashi-style desserts. Items like zenzai, shiratama with red beans, and matcha jelly with azuki are prepared with high-quality ingredients. The red beans, for example, are described as “delicately sweetened… perfectly complementing the flavor of matcha” . These sweets are not only delicious—they feel nourishing and restorative, the kind of food that warms both body and soul. Nakamura Tokichi is also a renowned tea shop. They sell a wide range of premium teas, including matcha, sencha, gyokuro, hojicha, and seasonal blends. The documents repeatedly highlight the craftsmanship behind their tea production, such as the careful shading of gyokuro fields and the in-house grinding of matcha. This makes it an excellent place to buy authentic Uji tea to take home. It is exceptionally well located, right in the heart of Uji’s busy commercial area. According to the map, it sits near major landmarks such as JR Uji Station, Nakamura Tokichi’s other facilities, and several popular tea shops and restaurants. This area is known for its constant flow of visitors, from tourists seeking matcha experiences to locals shopping or commuting. Because of this prime location, the shop is often lively and in high demand. It’s the kind of place where you can feel the energy of Uji’s tea culture all around you. Final Impression Nakamura Tokichi Main Branch offers a refined, memorable experience that blends tradition, craftsmanship, and flavor. Whether you’re enjoying a seasonal parfait, savoring tea-infused soba, or exploring their selection of premium teas, the quality is consistently outstanding. Combined with its excellent location and vibrant surroundings, it’s no surprise that this café remains one of the most sought‑after spots in Uji.

Been in my bucket list for some time. Certainly live up to the hype. The seasonal spring parfait is delicious but there is only a 100 servings per day so do go down 30mins earlier to get a queue number if you want to eat this. There are other desserts available if the seasonal parfait is sold out. Also, the souvenir store sells some delicious snacks that you can buy.