Where to Buy Matcha and Hojicha in Kyoto — Tea Shops, Latte Powders & Souvenirs

Kyoto is famous for its Japanese green tea, but finding the right matcha or hojicha to take home isn’t always easy.

Should you visit a traditional tea shop? Can you find affordable matcha in Kyoto? And where can you buy hojicha powder for making lattes at home?

The answer depends on what you’re looking for.

Kyoto has traditional tea specialists, department-store tea counters, and everyday retailers offering products for different tastes and budgets.

In this guide, you’ll discover where to buy matcha and hojicha in Kyoto, how to choose between tea leaves and powders, and what to look for if you want to make your own matcha or hojicha latte.

1. Ippodo Tea — Traditional Japanese Tea in Central Kyoto

Ippodo Tea is a long-established Japanese tea company with its flagship shop on Teramachi Street.

It’s a good place to begin if you want to learn about Japanese tea rather than simply pick up a souvenir.

The store offers several varieties of Japanese tea, including matcha, sencha, gyokuro, and hojicha.

You can explore different types of tea and ask the staff about their characteristics.

What to look for:

• Pure Japanese matcha
• Hojicha tea leaves
• Traditional Japanese green tea
• Packaged tea suitable for gifts

The store also has a tearoom where visitors can experience Japanese tea.

Location: 52 Tokiwagicho, Teramachi-dori Nijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto

Nearest station: Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae Station, Exit 11

Walking time: Approximately 5 minutes

Store hours: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Regular closing day: Second Wednesday of each month

Official website:
https://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/pages/store-kyoto

Shopping tip: If you’re making matcha lattes at home, explain that you plan to mix your matcha with milk. The staff may be able to help you choose a suitable variety.

2. Fukujuen Kyoto Main Store — Uji Tea on Shijo Street

Fukujuen is a Japanese tea company founded in 1790.

Its Kyoto flagship store is located on Shijo Street, one of the city’s major shopping streets.

The building includes a traditional tea shop, tea-related experiences, and dining facilities.

The first floor, known as Kyo no Chaho, specializes in tea sales.

What to look for:

• Uji tea
• Matcha products
• Japanese green tea
• Tea gifts and accessories

This is a convenient place to explore Japanese tea while shopping around Shijo and Karasuma.

Location: Shijo-dori Tominokoji-kado, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Nearest stations: Karasuma Station or Shijo Station

Walking time: Approximately 7 minutes

Tea shop hours: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM

Regular closing days: Wednesdays and New Year’s Day

Official website:
https://www.fukujuen-kyotohonten.com/access/

Shopping tip: Check the difference between products intended for traditional tea preparation and those suitable for mixing with milk.

3. Gion Tsujiri — Matcha and Japanese Tea in Gion

Gion Tsujiri is a well-known Kyoto tea brand specializing in Uji tea.

Its flagship shop is located along Shijo Street in the Gion district.

The location is convenient for visitors exploring Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and the surrounding streets.

The shop offers Japanese teas and matcha-related souvenirs.

What to look for:

• Matcha products
• Uji tea
• Japanese green tea
• Matcha sweets and gifts

If you want to buy a Kyoto tea souvenir while sightseeing, Gion Tsujiri is an easy stop to include in your plans.

Location: 573-3 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

Nearest station: Gion-Shijo Station, Exit 6

Walking time: Approximately 3 minutes

Store hours: 10:30 AM–9:00 PM, subject to change

Official website:
https://www.giontsujiri.co.jp/store/giontsujiri-honten/

Shopping tip: Tea-flavored sweets and instant drinks are not the same as pure matcha powder. Check the ingredients if you want matcha for homemade lattes.

4. Nakamura Tokichi — Tea Shopping Near Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

Nakamura Tokichi is a historic Japanese tea company originating in Uji.

Its Shijo store is inside Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. T8, a shopping complex in central Kyoto.

The location includes a tea shop and a café.

Visitors can explore Japanese tea products while enjoying the shopping area around Shijo-Kawaramachi.

What to look for:

• Japanese tea
• Matcha
• Tea gifts
• Matcha-related products

Location: Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. T8, 3F

Nearest station: Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station

Access: Directly connected to the station through the underground passage

Tea shop hours: 10:30 AM–8:00 PM

Official website:
https://tokichi.jp/en/pages/stores

Shopping tip: This is a convenient option if you prefer shopping at a department-store complex rather than traveling to a separate tea-growing area.

5. HOHO HOJICHA — A Specialty Shop in Uji

If you’re particularly interested in hojicha, consider visiting HOHO HOJICHA.

Unlike general tea stores, this brand specializes in roasted Japanese tea.

Hojicha is made by roasting tea leaves or stems, producing a distinctive toasted aroma.

The shop offers a different experience from stores focused primarily on traditional matcha.

What to look for:

• Roasted Japanese tea
• Specialty hojicha products
• Hojicha gifts

Location: 51-2 Myoraku, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture

Nearest station: Keihan Uji Station

Walking time: Approximately 5 minutes

Store hours: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

Official website:
https://www.hohohojicha.com/

Important: Uji is a separate city in Kyoto Prefecture, not a neighborhood of central Kyoto City. Visiting this shop requires a separate trip.

If you don’t have time to visit Uji, HOHO HOJICHA also has a retail shop inside Kyoto Station Building.

Shopping tip: If you want powdered hojicha for making lattes, confirm that the specific product is available before visiting. Not all hojicha products are sold as powder.

6. Where to Buy Affordable Matcha and Hojicha in Kyoto

Traditional tea shops are not your only option.

If you’re looking for something inexpensive or easy to prepare, supermarkets and general retailers may be more convenient.

MUJI — Easy Matcha and Hojicha Latte Mixes

MUJI sells instant drink mixes for preparing Japanese-style lattes at home.

Examples listed on its official website include:

Uji Matcha Latte Mix

• Contains Japanese matcha and milk ingredients
• Designed to make a sweet, creamy drink
• Convenient for beginners

Hojicha Latte Mix

• Uses Japanese roasted tea
• Has a toasted tea flavor
• Designed for quick preparation at home

A convenient Kyoto location is MUJI at AEON Mall KYOTO.

Location: AEON Mall KYOTO, 2F

Nearest station: Kyoto Station, Hachijo Exit

Walking time: Approximately 5 minutes

Official store information:
https://www.muji.com/jp/ja/shop/detail/045457

Official product information:

Uji Matcha Latte:
https://www.muji.com/jp/ja/store/cmdty/detail/4550723679398

Hojicha Latte:
https://www.muji.com/jp/ja/store/cmdty/detail/4550723706360

These are sweetened drink mixes, not pure tea powders.

Product availability varies by store.

Supermarkets and Food Retailers

Some supermarkets and food retailers in Kyoto also sell Japanese green tea, powdered tea, or instant latte mixes.

Check the tea and beverage aisles.

However, not every product labeled “green tea powder” is pure matcha, and hojicha powder may be harder to find than hojicha tea leaves.

7. Matcha Powder vs. Hojicha Powder — What’s the Difference?

If you’re buying tea to take home, understanding the different products can save you money and disappointment.

Product	Main Characteristics	Suitable For
Pure matcha powder	Finely ground Japanese green tea with a distinctive green color	Traditional tea, lattes, baking
Hojicha tea leaves	Roasted tea with a toasted aroma	Hot or iced brewed tea
Hojicha powder	Powder made from roasted tea	Lattes, desserts, baking
Matcha latte mix	Matcha combined with other ingredients, often including sugar and milk	Quick sweet lattes
Hojicha latte mix	Roasted tea combined with other ingredients, often including sugar and milk	Quick sweet hojicha lattes

If you prefer to control the amount of sugar and milk, choose an unsweetened tea powder.

If convenience matters more, a ready-made latte mix may be the easier choice.

8. Do You Need Expensive Matcha for a Latte?

Not necessarily.

Kyoto offers matcha at different prices, and more expensive doesn’t automatically mean better for every purpose.

For traditional matcha prepared with water, you may prefer a tea with a delicate flavor and smooth texture.

For a matcha latte, milk changes the overall taste.

A more affordable matcha with a pronounced tea flavor can sometimes work well in a latte.

However, very inexpensive powders may also taste bitter, so price alone isn’t a reliable guide.

Look for a product that matches your preferred flavor and budget.

For hojicha lattes, look for a powder suitable for mixing with milk rather than ordinary hojicha tea leaves.

9. How to Choose Matcha or Hojicha in Kyoto

Before buying, consider four things.

1. What Will You Use It For?

Choose differently depending on whether you’re preparing traditional tea, making lattes, baking, or buying souvenirs.

2. Do You Want Sugar-Free Tea?

Check the ingredients.

Pure matcha generally contains only matcha, while instant latte mixes usually contain additional ingredients.

3. How Much Do You Need?

A small package may be sufficient for occasional use or trying a new flavor.

Compare the price per gram rather than judging only by the package price.

4. How Will You Store It?

Matcha can lose freshness when exposed to heat, moisture, light, and air.

Follow the storage instructions on the package and close it carefully after use.

10. Useful Japanese Phrases When Buying Tea

Even if you don’t speak much Japanese, a few simple phrases can make shopping easier.

抹茶パウダーはありますか？

Matcha paudā wa arimasu ka?

Do you have matcha powder?

ほうじ茶パウダーはありますか？

Hōjicha paudā wa arimasu ka?

Do you have hojicha powder?

ラテ用に使えますか？

Rate-yō ni tsukaemasu ka?

Can I use this for lattes?

砂糖は入っていますか？

Satō wa haitte imasu ka?

Does it contain sugar?

一番小さいサイズはどれですか？

Ichiban chiisai saizu wa dore desu ka?

Which is the smallest size?

11. Where Should You Shop in Kyoto?

Here’s a quick way to choose.

For traditional Japanese tea:
Start with Ippodo or Fukujuen.

For tea souvenirs while exploring Gion:
Visit Gion Tsujiri.

For shopping near Shijo-Kawaramachi:
Consider Nakamura Tokichi.

For specialty hojicha:
Consider HOHO HOJICHA in Uji, if you have time for a separate trip.

For affordable, easy-to-make lattes:
Look for instant latte mixes at MUJI or other general retailers.

For shopping before taking a train:
Kyoto Station also has specialist tea shops where you can buy matcha and hojicha products.

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kyoto a good place to buy matcha?

Yes. Kyoto has many established tea companies, including brands associated with Uji tea.

You can explore traditional matcha, everyday tea, and souvenir products.

Can I buy hojicha powder in Kyoto?

Yes, although powder is not necessarily stocked at every shop that sells hojicha leaves.

Check the product range before visiting.

Is matcha cheaper in Kyoto than elsewhere in Japan?

Not always.

Prices depend on quality, origin, producer, package size, and retailer.

Compare products rather than assuming that buying in Kyoto automatically means paying less.

Can I buy matcha and hojicha at Kyoto Station?

Yes. Kyoto Station has several Japanese tea retailers.

Shopping at the station can be particularly convenient if you’re traveling with luggage or leaving Kyoto.

Can I use regular hojicha tea leaves to make a latte?

Yes. You can brew a strong hojicha infusion and add milk.

However, if you want to mix tea directly into milk, hojicha powder is generally more convenient.

Is a matcha latte mix the same as pure matcha?

No.

Pure matcha is powdered tea, while a matcha latte mix usually combines matcha with sweeteners, milk ingredients, or other ingredients.

Always check the product label.

Final Thoughts

Kyoto offers plenty of options for buying matcha and hojicha, from traditional tea shops to affordable everyday retailers.

If you want to explore authentic Japanese tea, start with Ippodo, Fukujuen, or Gion Tsujiri.

If you’re shopping around Shijo-Kawaramachi, Nakamura Tokichi is another convenient choice.

For hojicha enthusiasts, HOHO HOJICHA in Uji offers a more specialized experience.

And if your main goal is making an easy latte at home, an instant drink mix may be all you need.

You don’t have to buy the most expensive tea to enjoy matcha or hojicha. The important thing is choosing the product that suits how you plan to use it.

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Important Notice and Disclaimer

This article is provided for general travel, shopping, and informational purposes only.

Store locations, opening hours, regular closing days, access routes, product selections, prices, ingredients, and services may change without prior notice. Walking times are approximate.

The inclusion of a shop or product does not guarantee its current availability, quality, suitability for a particular use, or price. Some products mentioned may be seasonal, temporarily unavailable, or discontinued.

Tea preferences are subjective, and the recommendations in this article are not endorsements or guarantees of product performance.

Always verify current details through the retailer’s official website or directly with the store before traveling or purchasing. Check product labels carefully, particularly for allergens, sweeteners, and milk ingredients.

Japan Life Steps is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the businesses mentioned unless explicitly stated otherwise.