Tsuen Tea House is said to be the oldest tea house in Japan, and its history was the main reason we visited. The traditional atmosphere and riverside setting made for an enjoyable experience. The lunch menu was quite limited, and while the food was ok, it was not the highlight of our visit. If you appreciate history and traditional Japanese culture, it is worth stopping by.

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I ordered a matcha zenzai and gyokuro tea. The menu is labeled in both Japanese and English. I appreciated that the matcha was left unsweetened so that its slight natural bitterness could pair well with the red bean paste. The gyokuro was very flavorful. This was my first time trying gyokuro and I found it so brothy and rich in flavor that I decided to purchase a container of their loose-leaf tea. I went around noon on Saturday and was seated very quickly, even though I chose a riverside seat. I also browsed Tsuen’s matcha and tea selection. The matcha tins are labeled (in Japanese) with the best way to consume them. I selected a matcha intended for preparation as koicha. The food/restaurant part of the store accepts cash only. Tax-free shopping of the teas is not available, but I found the gyokuro well worth it.

The oldest continuous operating tea shop in the world, (since 1160!), has the best teas and the friendliest stewards. The history and cumulative learned experience shines through with the current 24th generation family owner, Yusuke Tsuen. Yusuke was kind and patient and allowed me to try several types of teas before purchasing. His recommendations based on my personal preferences were spot on, and he also provided detailed knowledge on how to properly prepare the different kinds of green tea. Listening to his family's history, learning about the current tea preparation process, was truly a privilege. I highly recommend visiting this location, not only for the rich history and delicious tea, but for the overall experience.

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Perfect place to have a meal in Uji! We had delicious matcha soba and the best matcha kakigori ever. When I had originally decided to come here, I didn't know it was the oldest teahouse in Japan, opened in 1160. Recommend coming here early to avoid waiting long for a table. I'd definitely come back!

+3

The oldest teahouse in Japan, operating since 12th century. Very pleasant atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. When we entered, there were no other visitors, but soon the place got full.

+3