New Tea Varieties 'Sai no Megami' and 'Sai no Ito' Applied for Registration in Saitama Prefecture
Saitama Prefecture and Ito En have collaborated in Japan's first public-private partnership for tea breeding. Two new varieties, 'Sai no Megami' and 'Sai no Ito,' featuring high yield and low environmental impact, have been officially applied for registration.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 14:41 (9 min after Collected)
The Saitama Prefecture Tea Research Institute, located near the northern limit of tea cultivation, works on developing high-quality, high-yield varieties resilient to weather-related disaster risks.
Saitama Prefecture and the major tea beverage manufacturer Ito En Ltd. (hereafter 'Ito En') engaged in Japan's first public-private joint effort for tea variety breeding. They submitted applications for the registration of two high-performing candidates to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. The details of these applications have now been officially published.
*About the publication of application details:
Once an application for variety registration is accepted, its details are made public after a certain period. This aims to inform stakeholders of the existence of the new variety, prevent duplicate applications, and protect the developer's brand value.
**History of Development**
Saitama Prefecture Tea Research Institute has been engaged in tea breeding since 1947, developing 11 varieties to date. Ito En has been involved in the 'Tea-Producing Region Development Project' since 1976, working with producers nationwide to manage cultivation and improve tea quality.
The institute and Ito En started developing late-harvest varieties suitable for both general sencha and as raw materials for beverage products. Two superior strains, 'Sai no Megami' and 'Sai no Ito,' were submitted for registration on December 19, 2025, and their details were published on April 14, 2026.
**Characteristics of the Varieties**
'Sai no Megami':
- Extremely late harvest with exceptionally high yield potential.
- Dark green tea liquor with a mellow flavor.
'Sai no Ito':
- Late harvest with high yield potential.
- Resistant to pests and diseases, allowing for reduced chemical pesticide use, making it ideal for international export.
- Mild aroma and easy-to-drink flavor.
Both varieties meet current tea production needs. They were developed by leveraging the respective strengths of the public sector (government) and the private sector. As the quantity of saplings is currently limited, they will initially be supplied mainly to farmers within Saitama Prefecture and Ito En's contracted farmers. As cultivation expands, supply to other prefectures will become possible, potentially increasing the recognition of 'Sayama Tea.'
**Origin of the Names**
'Sai no Megami': Named after the cultivation site (Saitama, the land of 'Sai') and Ito En's production base in Makinohara, Shizuoka (Megami/Goddess). It carries the hope that its gentle fragrance will watch over the tea industry.
'Sai no Ito': 'Sai' represents Saitama, and 'Ito' represents the 'Ito' in Ito En. Named to signify the 'threads' (ito) woven from the colorful (sai) new challenges of both Saitama and Ito En.
**Expected Future Effects**
Saplings are scheduled to be planted primarily in tea gardens within Saitama and Ito En's contracted gardens. Ito En aims to expand the cultivation area to use these leaves as part of the raw materials for 'Oi Ocha' products. The wide adoption of these varieties within and outside the prefecture is expected to promote and further increase the brand awareness of Sayama Tea, a local specialty product.
**Roles of the Two Parties**
Saitama Prefecture Tea Research Institute: Variety selection and breeding, quality evaluation for sencha.
Ito En Ltd.: Regional adaptability evaluation, quality evaluation for beverage products.
**Inquiries**
Regarding Variety Characteristics:
Saitama Prefecture Agriculture and Forestry Dept., Tea Research Institute
Phone: 04-2936-1352
Regarding Ito En:
Ito En Ltd. Customer Service Room
Phone: 0800-100-1100
Saitama Prefecture and the major tea beverage manufacturer Ito En Ltd. (hereafter 'Ito En') engaged in Japan's first public-private joint effort for tea variety breeding. They submitted applications for the registration of two high-performing candidates to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. The details of these applications have now been officially published.
*About the publication of application details:
Once an application for variety registration is accepted, its details are made public after a certain period. This aims to inform stakeholders of the existence of the new variety, prevent duplicate applications, and protect the developer's brand value.
**History of Development**
Saitama Prefecture Tea Research Institute has been engaged in tea breeding since 1947, developing 11 varieties to date. Ito En has been involved in the 'Tea-Producing Region Development Project' since 1976, working with producers nationwide to manage cultivation and improve tea quality.
The institute and Ito En started developing late-harvest varieties suitable for both general sencha and as raw materials for beverage products. Two superior strains, 'Sai no Megami' and 'Sai no Ito,' were submitted for registration on December 19, 2025, and their details were published on April 14, 2026.
**Characteristics of the Varieties**
'Sai no Megami':
- Extremely late harvest with exceptionally high yield potential.
- Dark green tea liquor with a mellow flavor.
'Sai no Ito':
- Late harvest with high yield potential.
- Resistant to pests and diseases, allowing for reduced chemical pesticide use, making it ideal for international export.
- Mild aroma and easy-to-drink flavor.
Both varieties meet current tea production needs. They were developed by leveraging the respective strengths of the public sector (government) and the private sector. As the quantity of saplings is currently limited, they will initially be supplied mainly to farmers within Saitama Prefecture and Ito En's contracted farmers. As cultivation expands, supply to other prefectures will become possible, potentially increasing the recognition of 'Sayama Tea.'
**Origin of the Names**
'Sai no Megami': Named after the cultivation site (Saitama, the land of 'Sai') and Ito En's production base in Makinohara, Shizuoka (Megami/Goddess). It carries the hope that its gentle fragrance will watch over the tea industry.
'Sai no Ito': 'Sai' represents Saitama, and 'Ito' represents the 'Ito' in Ito En. Named to signify the 'threads' (ito) woven from the colorful (sai) new challenges of both Saitama and Ito En.
**Expected Future Effects**
Saplings are scheduled to be planted primarily in tea gardens within Saitama and Ito En's contracted gardens. Ito En aims to expand the cultivation area to use these leaves as part of the raw materials for 'Oi Ocha' products. The wide adoption of these varieties within and outside the prefecture is expected to promote and further increase the brand awareness of Sayama Tea, a local specialty product.
**Roles of the Two Parties**
Saitama Prefecture Tea Research Institute: Variety selection and breeding, quality evaluation for sencha.
Ito En Ltd.: Regional adaptability evaluation, quality evaluation for beverage products.
**Inquiries**
Regarding Variety Characteristics:
Saitama Prefecture Agriculture and Forestry Dept., Tea Research Institute
Phone: 04-2936-1352
Regarding Ito En:
Ito En Ltd. Customer Service Room
Phone: 0800-100-1100