About Ikeda Senchado
Ikeda Senchado is a leading producer of Kagoshima Matcha and Chiran green tea, crafted by 10th-Dan Tea Master Kenta Ikeda. Our teas reflect the unique climate and rich terroir of Kagoshima.
A New Brand is Born.
Ikeda Tea is a new brand of Ikeda Seicha Co., Ltd., founded in 1948.
As a tea merchant in Kagoshima, Ikeda Seicha has long been involved in the tea business. Tea artisans include not only farmers but also tea wholesalers who refine and finish the tea leaves. It has been the job of tea merchants to polish tea leaves into delicious tea. Even today, most tea processing and commercialization are carried out by manufacturers known as "tea merchants."
Ikeda Seicha is both a "tea merchant" and home to a "tea master" who has achieved the highest level of tea tasting and appraisal skills, the "10th-Dan Tea Master."
Ikeda Kenta, the representative of Ikeda Seicha and the owner of Ikeda Tea, is a 10th-Dan Tea Master.
In the approximately 70-year history of the tea industry, only a very small number of individuals have been certified as 10th-Dan Tea Masters.
This rarity highlights the difficulty of obtaining the 10th-Dan rank, a feat regarded as one of the toughest challenges in the tea industry.
Ikeda Seicha, a "tea merchant" with profound knowledge of Kagoshima’s finest teas,
brings you "Ikeda Tea" teas, crafted with utmost dedication by its representative and 10th-Dan Tea Master, Ikeda Kenta.
A Message from the Owner
Greetings.
My name is Ikeda Kenta, owner of Ikeda Tea.
Since 1948, we have been operating as a tea merchant in Tenmonkan, Kagoshima. With the launch of "Ikeda Tea," our goal is to deliver delicious Kagoshima tea to everyone.
Stretching over 600 km from north to south, Kagoshima’s tea production is abundant and diverse. The southern plains produce mellow flavors, while the mountainous northern regions offer robust aromas. At Ikeda Tea, all final processing—from sourcing to blending and roasting—is carried out at our high-standard, quality-controlled factory.
Additionally, Kagoshima is one of Japan’s leading producers of tencha (the base for matcha). To support the development of tencha production in Kagoshima, we manufacture safe, delicious matcha in our dedicated matcha factory, aiming to produce even higher-quality matcha.
From longstanding relationships with producers to final processing, we know every detail. We take pride in delivering Kagoshima’s finest teas to you.
“This is Tea.” “Because it’s Tea.” We aspire to build a brand that is cherished and trusted for generations. Thank you for your support.
Owner of Ikeda Tea / 10th-Dan Tea Master
Enjoy Kagoshima Tea and Sweets at Our Tea Shop
At Ikeda Senchado, we offer a selection of teas and café menu items that can be enjoyed in-store, allowing visitors to experience Kagoshima’s proud tea culture in a relaxed and approachable way. We are committed to first-harvest tea rich in umami, carefully preserving the natural flavor of the tea leaves. Alongside classic offerings such as matcha, deep-steamed green tea, genmaicha, and fermented tea, we also serve Kagoshima specialties including our original Chiran tea blend, Chiran Hana (Chiran Cha), made with premium Chiran tea leaves.
The rich umami of green tea comes primarily from an amino acid called theanine. First-harvest tea contains a particularly high level of theanine, which is known for its smooth taste and is often associated with calming and relaxing effects. At Ikeda Senchado, we value these qualities unique to first-harvest tea and aim to provide a cup of tea that gently supports both body and mind in everyday life.
Our latte menu—including matcha lattes, gyokuro lattes, gyokuro hojicha lattes, and Japanese black tea lattes—is prepared carefully, one cup at a time, in our shop. Refreshing drinks such as Japanese black tea and Chiran Hana lemonade are also popular. Thanks to word of mouth, we are known as “a tea shop where you can casually enjoy Kagoshima matcha” and “a calm and relaxing Japanese-style café” among local customers and visitors to the Tenmonkan area of Kagoshima.
We also offer seasonal matcha sweets, including matcha gelato and ice cream. At Ikeda Senchado, guests can enjoy moments that bring together the rich flavor and aroma of tea while embracing a lifestyle focused on beauty and well-being through tea. Whether you are a tea lover or simply looking to enjoy a special cup or dessert in Kagoshima, we warmly invite you to stop by.
