“Tsuneki Tea Shop” is a long-established tea shop tucked into a corner of the shopping arcade in front of JR Kurashiki Station, known for its old-fashioned, retro storefront. Its hojicha, roasted in-house outside the shop, is also a popular Kurashiki souvenir.
In recent years, the shop has continued to share new ideas through tea while preserving tradition, offering matcha-based takeaway items and developing collaborative products with long-established local Japanese confectionery shops.
We explored the shop’s history and the rich cultural story woven by tea.
The information presented was current when this article was published in May 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Tsuneki Tea Shop
Tsuneki Tea Shop was founded in front of JR Kurashiki Station in 1948 by its founder, Tsuneki Takeo, and his wife, Yoshiko, who had returned from Manchuria.
Since the shop’s founding, it has sought the highest quality tea leaves, using leaves sourced from places such as Kyoto’s “Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten.” The leaves are blended from several varieties before being sold.
Kanbayashi Shunsho Honten
A long-established tea wholesaler in Uji, Kyoto, with a history of around 450 years since its founding and now in its 15th generation.
The “Ekimae shop,” nestled in a corner of the shopping arcade in front of JR Kurashiki Station, retains a strong Showa-era atmosphere in both its interior and exterior, evoking nostalgia in visitors.
Tourists are often drawn to its appearance and stop to take photos.
It is also so beloved by local customers that they plead, “Please don’t change it,” and the shop itself has become something like a cultural asset.
Roasting machine used since the shop’s founding
Adding even more charm to the retro storefront is this hojicha roasting machine.
It has been used since the shop’s founding, making it a vintage item that has been around for more than 70 years.
When the roasting machine starts up, the fragrant aroma of hojicha wafts through the surrounding area. Many customers were seen stopping in their tracks, drawn in by the aroma.
The hojicha made with this roasting machine is sold as “Kurashiki hojicha” and is a popular Kurashiki souvenir.
Introducing the Bikan Historical Area shop
The Bikan Historical Area shop, on Honmachi-dori where second-generation owner Tsuneki Nobuo lives, was self-renovated by third-generation owner Tsuneki Shinzo and reopened in 2013.
Given its location in a tourist area, the shop focuses not only on Kurashiki hojicha but also on souvenirs and other suitable goods, such as tenugui hand towels.
About the products
In addition to its signature Kurashiki hojicha, the shop displays a wide variety of teas.
The teas are sold by weight, taken from the retro tea chests and packed into bags for customers.
They also had old-fashioned round-grain barley tea, known for its nostalgic, toasty flavor.
Introducing the takeaway items
In recent years, the Ekimae shop has also focused on takeaway items, so that visitors, including tourists, can easily enjoy tea.
Iced Matcha
Made to bring out the full umami of matcha, this “Iced Matcha” is characterized by its mellow taste with little bitterness.
HOT Matcha
First, a small amount of water is added to the matcha and whisked into a paste. Adding water is said to suppress the bitter and astringent components, resulting in a clear flavor that brings out the umami and sweetness.
Matcha Soy Latte
“Matcha Soy Latte,” now a familiar sight in cafes, is served with the care and attention to detail unique to a specialty tea shop.
The black sugar syrup used in this drink is exceptionally high quality, handmade from sugarcane grown in Takahashi City, Okayama Prefecture.
It has a distinct sweetness from the sugar, yet its flavor is gentle and unpretentious, with a warm, rustic quality that makes it very easy to drink.
Matcha Beer
This drink, characterized by its fine, creamy foam, is “Matcha Beer,” a combination of beer and matcha. It seems perfect for the hot season.
We spoke with third-generation owner Tsuneki Shinzo and his wife, Mitsuko, about their approach to their products and the events held periodically at the shop.
Tsuneki Tea Shop Information
| Name | Tsuneki Tea Shop |
|---|---|
| Address | Station-front shop: 2-3-24 Achi, Kurashiki City / Bikan Historical Area shop: 3-9 Honmachi, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-422-1427 |
| Parking | None Use nearby paid parking |
| Hours | [Station-front shop] 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. [Bikan Historical Area shop] 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. |
| Closed | [Station-front shop] Sunday, Monday, and public holidays *If Monday is a public holiday, closed the next business day [Bikan Historical Area shop] Irregular holidays |
| Payment methods |
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| Website | Tsuneki Tea Shop |
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