We’re back Sunday, August 23rd with a Japan haul session: The Uji Trail—a walk through the most storied tea town in Japan, without leaving Logan Square.
One Town, Four Historic Shops
Uji, just south of Kyoto, has been at the center of Japanese tea for centuries. Its streets are lined with shops that have been blending and grinding matcha for generations—many within a few minutes’ walk of each other. This session, we’re walking that trail by way of the matcha itself, tasting from four of Uji’s most respected houses:
- Marukyu Koyamaen — making tea in Uji since the prolific Genroku era (late 1600s)
- Yamamasa Koyamaen — farming since the early 1600s, in business since 1861 (same neighborhood & same surname, completely separate company)
- Nakamura Tokichi — founded 1854, still in its original merchant house near Uji Station
- Horii Shichimeien — founded 1879, caretakers of Okunoyama, the last of Uji’s medieval tea gardens
Same town. Same traditions. Noticeably different matcha. Tasting them side by side is one of the best ways to understand how much house style matters—even within a single square mile of tea history.
Session Details
Sunday, August 23rd – Two identical sessions:
Format:
- First 30 minutes: Open Q&A about matcha, tea, sourcing, preparation
- Main event: The Uji Trail—four matchas from four historic shops, tasted in sequence with discussion
Practical details:
- 15 people per session
- $25 per person + ticketing fees (includes all tastings)
- Southwest Logan Square – full address sent to registered attendees on Friday at noon
Get Your Tickets
Both sessions are now on sale:
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