Who Really Makes the Best Matcha in Japan? (It’s Not Just Kyoto)

Chapter 1: A Matcha Revolution: The New King of Japanese Tea

To see the exciting changes happening in the matcha world, let’s look at two different stories: the story of all Japanese tea, and the special story of matcha.

1.1. The Giants of Green Tea: A Changing of the Guard

For decades, one name was king of Japanese tea: Shizuoka. The saying “When you think of tea, you think of Shizuoka” was known all over Japan. But the tides are turning! In 2023, for the first time ever, Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Japan produced more tea, becoming the new leader. This wasn’t an overnight surprise; Kagoshima has been catching up for years.

Why does this matter for matcha? Because Kagoshima’s success comes from its smart, modern approach. They use vast, open fields and advanced technology to grow tea efficiently. This incredible production power set the stage for Kagoshima to aim for an even bigger prize: becoming the world’s leading supplier of matcha.

This table shows the big players in Japanese tea. Keep these names in mind as we zoom in on the real star of the show: Tencha, the heart of matcha.

1.2. The Real Matcha Ranking: A New Champion Emerges

Now for the main event: who produces the most Tencha for our beloved matcha? While regions like Kyoto and Aichi were the historic leaders, the landscape has completely changed.

In 2020, Kagoshima stunned the tea world by taking the #1 spot. And they didn’t just win—they rocketed to the top! In just six years, Kagoshima’s Tencha production nearly tripled, from 578 tons to a massive 1,585 tons. Meanwhile, the traditional regions have struggled to keep up.

This explosive growth is all thanks to the global matcha boom. As the world fell in love with matcha lattes, sweets, and drinks, Kagoshima saw an opportunity. They strategically shifted from other teas to focus on producing high-quality Tencha for a hungry global market. Kagoshima’s rise isn’t just a number on a chart; it’s a symbol of a new era where modern farming meets worldwide demand.

This table tells a powerful story. You can see Kagoshima’s incredible climb, making it the new powerhouse of the matcha world.

Chapter 2: Meet the Four Titans of Japanese Matcha

Now that we know who produces the most, let’s explore the unique personality and flavor of Japan’s four most important matcha regions.

2.1. Kyoto (Uji): The Emperor of Quality

Kyoto, and especially its famous Uji region, is the spiritual home of matcha. For centuries, the name “Uji” has been synonymous with the absolute best. While it may no longer be the biggest producer, its reputation for quality is untouchable.

How do we know? Every year at the National Tea Competition, Uji matcha sweeps the awards. In one recent competition, Uji teas took nearly all of the top spots! This is where you’ll find matcha with a deep, smooth umami flavor, a clean finish, and a stunning, vibrant green color. Uji is the gold standard, specializing in the ultra-premium ceremonial matcha that tea masters have cherished for generations.

2.2. Aichi (Nishio): The Genius of Foodie Matcha

Just outside Nagoya, the city of Nishio has cleverly carved out its own matcha kingdom. Almost all the tea grown here is Tencha, making it one of the most specialized regions in Japan. Nishio’s secret to success? They focus on creating the perfect matcha for food and drinks.

Nishio matcha has a beautiful deep green color and a rich flavor that stands up perfectly in lattes, ice cream, and pastries. They were the first to create a regional trademark, “Nishio no Matcha,” guaranteeing quality. By becoming the go-to supplier for the food industry, Nishio has become a powerhouse in its own right.

2.3. Kagoshima: The Global Superstar

As we’ve seen, Kagoshima is the new champion of production. Its success is built on a modern, efficient, and global mindset. With wide-open fields and a warm climate, Kagoshima can produce large amounts of high-quality matcha with amazing consistency.

Kagoshima is the engine driving the global matcha boom. They are experts at growing different tea varieties, allowing them to blend the perfect matcha for any client’s needs, from big coffee chains to food brands. They are also Japan’s leader in organic matcha, meeting the growing demand for and sustainable products. Kagoshima is the world’s matcha factory, bringing this wonderful tea to every corner of the globe.

2.4. Fukuoka (Yame): The Master of Umami

Fukuoka, home to the Yame region, is famous for producing Japan’s best luxury shaded tea, gyokuro. They use this incredible skill to create some of the most flavor-packed matcha you’ll ever taste.

Yame’s unique geography, with its misty river valleys, creates tea leaves bursting with sweetness and a deep, savory umami flavor. Yame matcha is incredibly rich and smooth, with almost no bitterness. While it doesn’t produce as much as the other regions, it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Kyoto in the premium market, appealing to tea lovers searching for the ultimate umami experience.

Chapter 3: Why the World Fell in Love with Matcha

So what’s fueling this incredible shake-up in the tea fields? It all comes down to a few powerful trends.

3.1. The Global Matcha Boom: From Ceremony to Smoothie

The single biggest reason for this change is that the world is crazy about matcha! It has transformed from a traditional ceremonial drink into a global “superfood” and a favorite flavor. From the US to Europe, people love matcha in lattes, smoothies, baked goods, and more.

This huge demand is for “culinary-grade” matcha, which requires a vibrant color and a consistent flavor that can be produced in large quantities. This created a massive new market. Since Tencha for matcha sells for much more than regular green tea, regions with the space and technology to grow it—like Kagoshima—jumped at the chance. This global boom is reshaping the entire Japanese tea industry.

3.2. A New Generation of Tea Drinkers in Japan

Even within Japan, tastes are changing. While fewer people are brewing loose-leaf tea in a teapot, the demand for matcha-flavored sweets, snacks, and café drinks has exploded. This huge domestic market for food-grade matcha has created a stable foundation for producers like Nishio to thrive.

3.3. The Rise of Organic Matcha

As wellness become more important worldwide, the demand for organic products is stronger than ever. Japanese tea producers are responding to this call. Kagoshima is leading the charge with the largest area of organic tea farms in the country. Other regions, including Shizuoka and even traditional Uji, are also launching new organic matcha brands to appeal to conscious customers around the world. This focus on sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it’s a smart strategy for the future of Japanese tea.