Located in a corner of the shopping street in front of JR Kurashiki Station, the long-established tea shop "Tsunekicha Ho" features a retro storefront reminiscent of the old days. The hojicha (roasted green tea) roasted in-house is a highly popular item as a souvenir from Kurashiki.
In recent years, they have continued to innovate while preserving tradition by offering takeout products using matcha and developing collaborative products with local long-established wagashi (Japanese sweets) shops.
We covered the history of the shop and the rich cultural stories woven by tea.
About Tsunekicha Ho
Tsunekicha Ho was founded in 1948 by the founders Takeo Tsunekida and Yoshiko, who returned from Manchuria, in front of JR Kurashiki Station.
The tea leaves handled by the shop are sourced from places like "Kambayashi Shunsho Honten" in Kyoto, which has been in operation for about 450 years since its founding, and they blend several types of tea leaves to sell.
Kambayashi Shunsho Honten
Founded in Uji, Kyoto, it has a history of about 450 years and has continued for 15 generations as a long-established tea wholesaler.
The "Station Front Store," standing in a corner of the shopping street in front of JR Kurashiki Station, retains a strong Showa-era atmosphere in both its interior and exterior, evoking nostalgia in visitors.
Tourists often stop to take photos, drawn by its appearance.
Additionally, it is so beloved by local customers that they plead, "Please don't modernize it," making the shop a kind of cultural asset in the community.
The roasting machine used since the founding
The hojicha roasting machine adds more charm to the retro storefront.
It has been in use since the founding and is a vintage item that has already passed over 70 years.
When the roasting machine starts, the fragrant aroma of hojicha wafts through the area. Many customers were seen stopping in their tracks, drawn by the scent.
The hojicha produced by this roasting machine is sold as "Kurashiki hojicha" and is also a popular item as a souvenir from Kurashiki.
Introduction of the Bikan Historical Area store
The Bikan Historical Area store, located on Honmachi Street where the second-generation owner Nobuo Tsunekida lives, was renovated and reopened in 2013 by the third-generation owner Shinzou Tsunekida through self-renovation.
Due to its location as a tourist spot, they are also focusing on souvenir-appropriate goods such as tenugui (hand towels) in addition to Kurashiki hojicha.
About the products
In the store, in addition to the flagship product "Kurashiki hojicha," many types of tea are displayed.
The tea is sold by weight, taken from retro tea boxes and packed into bags.
There was also the nostalgic, roasted flavor characteristic of "Maruzumi Mugicha" (barley tea).
Introduction of takeout products
In recent years, to allow visitors, including tourists, to easily enjoy tea, the Station Front Store has been focusing on takeout products.
Iced Matcha
The "Iced Matcha," which maximizes the original flavor of matcha, is characterized by its smooth taste with little bitterness.
Hot Matcha
First, dissolve a small amount of matcha in water to create a paste. By adding water, the bitter and astringent components are suppressed, resulting in a clear taste that highlights umami and sweetness.
Matcha Soy Latte
The "Matcha Soy Latte," which has been frequently seen in cafes in recent years, is offered with a commitment unique to specialty tea shops.
The black syrup used in this product is handmade from sugarcane produced in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture, and is of very high quality.
While the sweetness of the sugar is distinctly felt, it features a "simple and warm taste" without sharpness, making it very easy to drink.
Matcha Beer
This product, characterized by its fine and creamy foam, is "Matcha Beer," which combines beer with matcha. It seems perfect for the hot season.
We spoke with the third-generation owner, Tsuneeda Shinzo, and his wife, Mitsuko, about their commitment to the products and the events they hold irregularly at the store.
Data of Tsuneki Tea Shop
| Name | Tsuneki Tea Shop |
|---|---|
| Address | Ekimae Store: 2-3-24 Achi, Kurashiki City / Bikan Historical Area Store: 3-9 Honmachi, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-422-1427 |
| Parking | None Use nearby paid parking |
| Business Hours | [Ekimae Store] 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM [Bikan Historical Area Store] 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | [Ekimae Store] Sundays, Mondays, Public Holidays *If Monday is a public holiday, the following business day is closed [Bikan Historical Area Store] Irregular holidays |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Tsuneki Tea Shop |
