Gion Tsujiri to Release Limited Quantity of "Ohobashiri Shincha," the First New Tea of the Year, from Friday, May 1, 2026
Gion Tsujiri Co., Ltd. will begin selling "Ohobashiri Shincha," the first new tea of the year, in limited quantities starting May 1, 2026. This high-quality new tea, characterized by its fresh, rich sweetness and umami, embodies the company's tradition and craftsmanship.
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Gion Tsujiri Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City), which delivers the rich taste and enjoyment of Japanese tea from Kyoto's Gion since its establishment in 1860, will begin selling this year's first new tea, "Ohobashiri Shincha" (pronounced 'o-obashiri shincha'), in limited quantities and for a limited period starting Friday, May 1, 2026.
What is this year's first new tea, "Ohobashiri Shincha"?
"Ohobashiri" refers to tea produced exceptionally early among new teas. It is the fresh, seasonal taste of carefully finished, youthful and vibrant new shoots, freshly harvested. This year's Ohobashiri Shincha uses tea leaves that were successfully bid for in the market in late April, blended (gogumi) by experts, and immediately packaged. Nurtured by the blessings of the earth and enduring the winter cold, the tea buds store abundant nutrients, offering a fresh and clean taste unique to new tea. This year, it has particularly matured into a high-quality new tea with a distinctly rich sweetness and umami.
Craftsmanship in blending (gogumi) that assesses the quality of tea leaves, which changes annually with the climate.
In delivering freshly picked new tea, we adhere to the belief of maintaining "Gion Tsujiri's flavor profile." Each year, we assess the quality, taste profile, and aroma to achieve the beloved new tea taste that has been enjoyed for many years.
Carefully selected tea leaves, prioritizing "sweetness" and "umami" from rare new tea.
Compared to other companies' new teas, this new tea pursues "sweetness" and "umami," while mellowing the unique bitterness of new tea, allowing one to feel the freshness of new shoots and their concentrated deliciousness.
Experience the "感動 of deliciousness" tasted at Gion Tsujiri stores, right at home.
To fully enjoy the "sweetness" and "umami" pursued by Gion Tsujiri, the ideal brewing temperature, water quantity, and extraction time are crucial. The recommended brewing method is essential to achieve the desired flavor profile.
How to brew delicious new tea:
To extract the refreshing umami of new tea, we recommend cooling the hot water to 75 degrees Celsius when brewing. If you transfer the water once to another teacup, the temperature will drop by 5-10 degrees. So, transferring it 2-3 times until it reaches 75 degrees before returning it to the teapot is the key to delicious brewing.
-How to brew delicious new tea-
1. Pour 200ml of once-boiled water into two teacups to cool it.
2. Put about 2 tablespoons of tea leaves (8g for two servings) into the teapot.
3. When the water in the teacups reaches about 75 degrees, transfer it to the teapot.
4. Wait for about 1.5 minutes for extraction, then pour evenly, little by little, until the last drop, to ensure consistent concentration.
*Please adjust the extraction time to your preference, observing the color of the tea.
Product Information
■Product Name: "Ohobashiri Shincha"
■Sales Period: From Friday, May 1, 2026
■Product Size: 40g (bagged)
■Price: 2,160 yen (tax included)
■Best Before: 6 months from manufacture date
■Sales Locations: Gion Tsujiri Gion Main Store, Kyoto Station Hachijo Entrance Store, Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store, Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi Store, Saryo Tsujiri Kyoto Isetan Store, Daimaru Tokyo Store, Online Shop
■Product Detail Site: https://shop.giontsujiri.co.jp/products/26100
About Gion Tsujiri
Delivering the finest Japanese tea from Kyoto's Gion.
The history of Gion Tsujiri dates back to 1860 (Man'en 1st year). It began when the first Tsuji Riemon established the business as "Tsujiri" after his own name, manufacturing and selling Uji tea in Yamashiro Kuni Uji Village (present-day Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture).
Later, it was renamed "Gion Tsujiri" due to its foundation in Kyoto's Gion.
Furthermore, Gion Tsujiri, which pursues the deliciousness of tea adapted to the times, opened the Japanese tea specialty cafe "Saryo Tsujiri" in 1978. It develops and provides high-quality matcha sweets made lavishly with matcha.
In October 2023, "buburu," a new brand specializing in "momicha" (kneaded tea) such as gyokuro, sencha, and hojicha, was born at Kyoto Station. We aim to deliver moments of "joy" that tea brings to many people.
What is this year's first new tea, "Ohobashiri Shincha"?
"Ohobashiri" refers to tea produced exceptionally early among new teas. It is the fresh, seasonal taste of carefully finished, youthful and vibrant new shoots, freshly harvested. This year's Ohobashiri Shincha uses tea leaves that were successfully bid for in the market in late April, blended (gogumi) by experts, and immediately packaged. Nurtured by the blessings of the earth and enduring the winter cold, the tea buds store abundant nutrients, offering a fresh and clean taste unique to new tea. This year, it has particularly matured into a high-quality new tea with a distinctly rich sweetness and umami.
Craftsmanship in blending (gogumi) that assesses the quality of tea leaves, which changes annually with the climate.
In delivering freshly picked new tea, we adhere to the belief of maintaining "Gion Tsujiri's flavor profile." Each year, we assess the quality, taste profile, and aroma to achieve the beloved new tea taste that has been enjoyed for many years.
Carefully selected tea leaves, prioritizing "sweetness" and "umami" from rare new tea.
Compared to other companies' new teas, this new tea pursues "sweetness" and "umami," while mellowing the unique bitterness of new tea, allowing one to feel the freshness of new shoots and their concentrated deliciousness.
Experience the "感動 of deliciousness" tasted at Gion Tsujiri stores, right at home.
To fully enjoy the "sweetness" and "umami" pursued by Gion Tsujiri, the ideal brewing temperature, water quantity, and extraction time are crucial. The recommended brewing method is essential to achieve the desired flavor profile.
How to brew delicious new tea:
To extract the refreshing umami of new tea, we recommend cooling the hot water to 75 degrees Celsius when brewing. If you transfer the water once to another teacup, the temperature will drop by 5-10 degrees. So, transferring it 2-3 times until it reaches 75 degrees before returning it to the teapot is the key to delicious brewing.
-How to brew delicious new tea-
1. Pour 200ml of once-boiled water into two teacups to cool it.
2. Put about 2 tablespoons of tea leaves (8g for two servings) into the teapot.
3. When the water in the teacups reaches about 75 degrees, transfer it to the teapot.
4. Wait for about 1.5 minutes for extraction, then pour evenly, little by little, until the last drop, to ensure consistent concentration.
*Please adjust the extraction time to your preference, observing the color of the tea.
Product Information
■Product Name: "Ohobashiri Shincha"
■Sales Period: From Friday, May 1, 2026
■Product Size: 40g (bagged)
■Price: 2,160 yen (tax included)
■Best Before: 6 months from manufacture date
■Sales Locations: Gion Tsujiri Gion Main Store, Kyoto Station Hachijo Entrance Store, Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store, Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi Store, Saryo Tsujiri Kyoto Isetan Store, Daimaru Tokyo Store, Online Shop
■Product Detail Site: https://shop.giontsujiri.co.jp/products/26100
About Gion Tsujiri
Delivering the finest Japanese tea from Kyoto's Gion.
The history of Gion Tsujiri dates back to 1860 (Man'en 1st year). It began when the first Tsuji Riemon established the business as "Tsujiri" after his own name, manufacturing and selling Uji tea in Yamashiro Kuni Uji Village (present-day Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture).
Later, it was renamed "Gion Tsujiri" due to its foundation in Kyoto's Gion.
Furthermore, Gion Tsujiri, which pursues the deliciousness of tea adapted to the times, opened the Japanese tea specialty cafe "Saryo Tsujiri" in 1978. It develops and provides high-quality matcha sweets made lavishly with matcha.
In October 2023, "buburu," a new brand specializing in "momicha" (kneaded tea) such as gyokuro, sencha, and hojicha, was born at Kyoto Station. We aim to deliver moments of "joy" that tea brings to many people.