[Sankeien 120th Anniversary] Developing and Offering Yokohama Sankeien's Original Tea
To commemorate its 120th anniversary, the nationally designated scenic spot Sankeien in Yokohama will offer original teas, 'Rinshun' (matcha) and 'Choshu' (sencha), in limited quantities starting April 23, produced by top tea appraiser Haruhide Morita.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 23:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 15:02
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The nationally designated scenic spot 'Sankeien' (located in Naka-ku, Yokohama) will begin offering its original teas 'Rinshun' (matcha) and 'Choshu' (sencha) in limited quantities starting April 23. This project was realized during the creation of content related to the Kanagawa/Yokohama Destination Campaign Pre-Campaign. Produced by Sakura, a Japanese tea specialty shop that has been promoting the charm of Japanese tea in Yokohama for many years, the manufacturing was commissioned to Haruhide Morita, a tea master and tea appraiser in Uji, Kyoto, who is hailed as one of the best in Japan. Available for a limited time! Please enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime, flavorful tea that can only be tasted now.
Product Overview
Matcha 'Rinshun'
Uses high-quality tea hand-picked from a new variety of tea plants grown in a tea garden along the Kizu River in Kyoto, one of the production areas for the Uji tea brand. It is a well-balanced matcha in terms of color, aroma, and taste.
It was developed with the image of Rinshunkaku, an Important Cultural Property building in the sukiya-style shoin architecture of the early Edo period, which represents the garden along with the three-story pagoda. When Rinshunkaku was relocated, Sankeien's founder, Sankei Hara, significantly altered its exterior, such as roofing materials and ridge placement, but the interior almost entirely follows the design prior to relocation. The matcha 'Rinshun' is also manufactured by inheriting tradition while adding unique arrangements.
Sencha 'Choshu'
Uses tea from Wazuka Town, Soraku District, Kyoto Prefecture, another production area for the Uji tea brand. With 'kiin' (grace/elegance) as its theme, it is a tea where you can feel a lingering finish within a transparent aroma and taste, finished with a flavor inspired by Choshukaku, an elegant pavilion building that displays a dignified presence amidst the refreshing fresh greenery.
Sankei Hara was also known as an excellent collector of artworks and a supporter of emerging artists, and he emphasized 'kiin', which means having dignity and taste, in his collections and support.
Serving Location: Pop-up Cafe Space Saron Bototei
As a 'pop-up cafe space' to know, learn, taste, and get familiar with 'tea' as a keyword, it communicates the various charms of tea.
Schedule
April 23 (Thu) - 26 (Sun)
April 29 (Wed/Hol) - 30 (Thu)
May 1 (Fri) - 10 (Sun)
May 14 (Thu) - 17 (Sun)
May 21 (Thu) - 24 (Sun)
May 28 (Thu) - 31 (Sun)
*Schedules from June onwards will be announced on the website once decided.
Time
9:00 - 16:30 (Last order 16:00)
Venue
Sankei Memorial Lobby
Menu
Japanese sweets and Sankeien original matcha 'Rinshun' set ¥1,500 (tax included)
Japanese sweets and Sankeien original sencha 'Choshu' set ¥1,300 (tax included), etc.
*Sencha tea leaves will also be sold at Saron Bototei.
About Tea Master Haruhide Morita
Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1951. Learned tea tasting and purchasing at a long-established shop in Uji. After joining the Kyoto Prefecture Tea Industry Federation Youth League, his talent for tea appraisal blossomed. Participated in the National Tea Appraisal Technology Competition at age 19. Achieved the youngest victory in history on his first appearance. He holds records such as winning the National Tea Appraisal Technology Competition 3 times, receiving the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award 3 times, and winning the Kyoto Prefecture Tea Appraisal Technology Competition 5 times, and is called 'Japan's Best Tea Appraiser'.
About Japanese Tea Specialty Shop Sakura SAKURA
A Japanese tea specialty shop that opened in Motomachi, Yokohama in 2002. After closing its physical store in 2025, it currently promotes the charm of Japanese tea through pop-up cafes and online sales of tea leaves.
Kanagawa/Yokohama Destination Campaign Pre-Campaign
A Destination Campaign is a large-scale tourism campaign where local governments and tourism operators collaborate with six JR companies to promote the appeal of the host location and attract visitors from all over the country over three months. In conjunction with GREEN×EXPO 2027, it will be held in Yokohama/Kanagawa, the host location, in 2027. From April to June 2026, as a pre-destination campaign, poster displays at major JR stations nationwide, special projects, and the creation of travel products are being implemented.
Related Events
Special Opening of Rinshunkaku - Sankeien 120th Anniversary
[Dates] April 29 (Wed/Hol) - May 10 (Sun), 2026
[Time] 10:00 - 15:10 (15 people per session, 20 minutes each, complete turnover)
[Fee] 1,000 yen (tax included, separate admission fee required)
[Target] Elementary school students and older
[Content] Rinshunkaku is the center of the inner garden's landscape. The usually closed interior will be specially opened, allowing you to see refined sukiya-style shoin architecture designs from the Edo period, such as partition paintings by painters of the Kano school and transoms fitted with colored paper on which waka poems are written. The view of the fresh green garden from inside the building is also a highlight.
[Application] Advance reservation required. On sale via online service Peatix (https://peatix.com/event/4921253/)
Fresh Greenery Promenade Opening
[Dates] April 11 (Sat) - May 10, 2026
Product Overview
Matcha 'Rinshun'
Uses high-quality tea hand-picked from a new variety of tea plants grown in a tea garden along the Kizu River in Kyoto, one of the production areas for the Uji tea brand. It is a well-balanced matcha in terms of color, aroma, and taste.
It was developed with the image of Rinshunkaku, an Important Cultural Property building in the sukiya-style shoin architecture of the early Edo period, which represents the garden along with the three-story pagoda. When Rinshunkaku was relocated, Sankeien's founder, Sankei Hara, significantly altered its exterior, such as roofing materials and ridge placement, but the interior almost entirely follows the design prior to relocation. The matcha 'Rinshun' is also manufactured by inheriting tradition while adding unique arrangements.
Sencha 'Choshu'
Uses tea from Wazuka Town, Soraku District, Kyoto Prefecture, another production area for the Uji tea brand. With 'kiin' (grace/elegance) as its theme, it is a tea where you can feel a lingering finish within a transparent aroma and taste, finished with a flavor inspired by Choshukaku, an elegant pavilion building that displays a dignified presence amidst the refreshing fresh greenery.
Sankei Hara was also known as an excellent collector of artworks and a supporter of emerging artists, and he emphasized 'kiin', which means having dignity and taste, in his collections and support.
Serving Location: Pop-up Cafe Space Saron Bototei
As a 'pop-up cafe space' to know, learn, taste, and get familiar with 'tea' as a keyword, it communicates the various charms of tea.
Schedule
April 23 (Thu) - 26 (Sun)
April 29 (Wed/Hol) - 30 (Thu)
May 1 (Fri) - 10 (Sun)
May 14 (Thu) - 17 (Sun)
May 21 (Thu) - 24 (Sun)
May 28 (Thu) - 31 (Sun)
*Schedules from June onwards will be announced on the website once decided.
Time
9:00 - 16:30 (Last order 16:00)
Venue
Sankei Memorial Lobby
Menu
Japanese sweets and Sankeien original matcha 'Rinshun' set ¥1,500 (tax included)
Japanese sweets and Sankeien original sencha 'Choshu' set ¥1,300 (tax included), etc.
*Sencha tea leaves will also be sold at Saron Bototei.
About Tea Master Haruhide Morita
Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1951. Learned tea tasting and purchasing at a long-established shop in Uji. After joining the Kyoto Prefecture Tea Industry Federation Youth League, his talent for tea appraisal blossomed. Participated in the National Tea Appraisal Technology Competition at age 19. Achieved the youngest victory in history on his first appearance. He holds records such as winning the National Tea Appraisal Technology Competition 3 times, receiving the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award 3 times, and winning the Kyoto Prefecture Tea Appraisal Technology Competition 5 times, and is called 'Japan's Best Tea Appraiser'.
About Japanese Tea Specialty Shop Sakura SAKURA
A Japanese tea specialty shop that opened in Motomachi, Yokohama in 2002. After closing its physical store in 2025, it currently promotes the charm of Japanese tea through pop-up cafes and online sales of tea leaves.
Kanagawa/Yokohama Destination Campaign Pre-Campaign
A Destination Campaign is a large-scale tourism campaign where local governments and tourism operators collaborate with six JR companies to promote the appeal of the host location and attract visitors from all over the country over three months. In conjunction with GREEN×EXPO 2027, it will be held in Yokohama/Kanagawa, the host location, in 2027. From April to June 2026, as a pre-destination campaign, poster displays at major JR stations nationwide, special projects, and the creation of travel products are being implemented.
Related Events
Special Opening of Rinshunkaku - Sankeien 120th Anniversary
[Dates] April 29 (Wed/Hol) - May 10 (Sun), 2026
[Time] 10:00 - 15:10 (15 people per session, 20 minutes each, complete turnover)
[Fee] 1,000 yen (tax included, separate admission fee required)
[Target] Elementary school students and older
[Content] Rinshunkaku is the center of the inner garden's landscape. The usually closed interior will be specially opened, allowing you to see refined sukiya-style shoin architecture designs from the Edo period, such as partition paintings by painters of the Kano school and transoms fitted with colored paper on which waka poems are written. The view of the fresh green garden from inside the building is also a highlight.
[Application] Advance reservation required. On sale via online service Peatix (https://peatix.com/event/4921253/)
Fresh Greenery Promenade Opening
[Dates] April 11 (Sat) - May 10, 2026