Discover Sayama Tea: Premium Japanese Sencha & Hōjicha

Dear Tea Friends,

We are delighted to introduce a new collection of teas from SAYAMA, one of Japan’s most distinguished tea regions—where craftsmanship, depth, and quiet character define every leaf.

This release brings together two exceptional single-origin sencha and a comforting premium hōjicha—each offering a different expression of Japanese tea culture, from freshness to warmth, from clarity to depth.

What is Sencha?

Sencha is Japan’s most beloved green tea—its everyday elegance.

Unlike matcha, sencha is not powdered but gently infused. The whole leaves are grown under sunlight, briefly steamed after harvest to preserve their vibrancy, then rolled and dried into fine green needles.

The result is a tea of luminous simplicity: fresh, gently sweet, softly vegetal, with a clean and refreshing finish.

Yet within this simplicity lies great diversity.

The Four Expressions of Japanese Sencha

Each region of Japan shapes tea in its own way:

Yame — Luxurious softness and profound umami. A tea of depth and quiet richness.

Shizuoka — The classic expression. Fresh, balanced, and beautifully clear.

Sayama — A hidden gem of warmth and character. Deep, gently sweet, and comforting—like stillness on a rainy morning.

Uji — The heart of tradition. Refined, ceremonial, and rooted in centuries of tea craftsmanship.

Why Sayama Tea is Special?

Nestled just north of Tokyo, Sayama is one of Japan's oldest and most respected tea-growing regions. Although smaller than famous tea areas such as Yame, Uji, and Shizuoka, Sayama has earned a reputation for producing green teas with exceptional depth, richness, and character.

The region's cool climate slows the growth of the tea leaves, allowing them to develop a fuller flavour and a naturally satisfying sweetness. To preserve these qualities, Sayama tea producers use a traditional finishing technique known as Sayama Hi-ire—a careful roasting process that enhances the tea's aroma while bringing warmth and complexity to every cup.

The result is a distinctive style of Japanese sencha: rich in umami, gently sweet, softly rounded, and remarkably comforting.

Today, Sayama remains something of a hidden treasure among Japan's tea regions. Many of its finest teas are produced in small quantities by family-run tea gardens that have cultivated their craft over generations, making each harvest a reflection of both nature and tradition.

At Nagomi no Zen, we are honoured to share these exceptional teas with you and to celebrate the quiet beauty that makes Sayama so unique.

Our New Sayama Tea Collection

Single-Origin Sencha — 'Sayama Kaori'

From the award-winning Ohnishi-en, a tea master celebrated for multiple national hand-rolling distinctions, comes a sencha of remarkable poise.

Sayama Kaori unfolds with gentle bitterness, layered umami, and an elegant aromatic lift. Each infusion reveals new depth, reflecting the quiet precision of Sayama’s craftsmanship.

A tea that speaks softly, yet lingers long after the cup is empty.

Learn more about the tea here.

Single-Origin Sencha — 'Oku Haruka'

From the historic gardens of Shimizu-en, with over 130 years of heritage, we are honoured to present Oku Haruka.

Delicate and understated, this rare sencha reveals a softer voice of Japanese tea. Brewed at lower temperatures, it opens with notes evoking cherry blossom leaves, followed by a gentle sweetness and a refined, lingering finish.

A tea of subtle beauty and quiet elegance.

Learn more about the tea here.

Premium Hōjicha — 'Hiraoka-en'

Hōjicha is Japan’s roasted tea—born from transformation.

By gently roasting green tea leaves, warmth replaces freshness, and depth replaces green brightness.

The result is a comforting cup with notes of toasted nuts, caramel, and warm grain.

Our Premium Hōjicha from Hiraoka-en is smooth, naturally sweet, and low in caffeine—ideal for the evening hours, when the day softens and slows.

A tea for stillness, warmth, and return.

Learn more about the product here.

We hope this collection brings you closer to the many landscapes of Japanese tea—each one shaped by nature, tradition, and time.

With warmth,

Masami and Jeanette