Ichikawa Dairakuen

In the North Ise region spreading at the foot of the Suzuka Mountains — tea cultivation has been performed since over a thousand years ago. Even within that — Kameyama is one of the prefecture's leading tea regions — blessed with clear water, fertile soil, and gentle climate. Ichikawa Dairakuen — in that Kameyama satoyama — started full-fledged tea making from the grandfather's generation — across three generations — while accumulating experience and research — has faced their in-house tea.

At the tea field — practicing special cultivation reducing pesticide use by half. Selecting only new buds of first tea before the 88th night — performing several days of kabuse — then carefully picking. Harvested tea leaves are manufactured and processed at the in-house factory. Finely adjusting fire strength, steaming time, and blending ratio — drawing out the "now, most delicious" flavor matched to that year's tea leaf condition.

Currently — the Ichikawa couple — the third generation — manage tea field and shop. A small family business handling almost everything by themselves — from field work, manufacturing, shipping, store sales, to online shop operation. Therefore — can easily grasp which field's which lot the shipped tea came from — and continue product making and lineup review while listening to each customer's voice.

At the online store — introducing products by category: sencha, hojicha, black tea, genmaicha, bancha, kuki tea, powdered tea, fine powdered tea, and tea bag type. Also preparing services like free shipping over 10,000 yen — delivering Ise Kameyama tea time even to distant customers. Also accommodating postal transfer and cash-on-delivery orders via the old website — not forgetting consideration for conventional customers.

"Tea raised in our own field — finished at our own factory — delivered to customers." In Ichikawa Dairakuen's simple and powerful style — packed are the family pride that has continued tea making together with satoyama scenery, and the thought of wanting to deliver delicious tea accompanying daily living.

In-house orchard tea making spreading in Ise Kameyama's satoyama

Ichikawa Dairakuen's tea field is in the satoyama of Hempoji-cho, Kameyama City, Mie Prefecture — known as an Ise tea production region. At the foot of the Suzuka Mountains — blessed with clear water, rich geology, and warm climate — the family manages the in-house orchard. Cherishing the consistent style of "in-house orchard, in-house manufacturing, in-house sales" — manufacturing and processing only those tea leaves at the in-house factory — and delivering as-is to customers.

First tea before the 88th night × kabuse cultivation × special cultivation

The signature products "Sencha Dairakuen" and "Premium Sencha" use new buds of first tea picked before the 88th night. By performing about 5-7 days of "kabuse" on those new buds — achieving both new bud aroma and deep green color, and gentle umami. Furthermore — by selecting and harvesting only well-grown tea leaves from special-cultivated tea fields — where pesticide use is reduced by half — pursuing both safety and flavor.

Careful roasting and blending possible precisely because of family management

Tea making continuing from the grandfather's generation — was inherited by the third generation — and currently a husband-and-wife pair manage shop and field. In sencha — blending "Yabukita" and native varieties to bring out deep flavor; making Japanese black tea combining black tea varieties "Benifuki" and "Benihomare." With detailed roasting and blending possible precisely because of small volume — drawing out each tea leaf's individuality.

Hojicha, black tea, powdered tea, and tea bags accompanying living

Not only classic sencha — also developing diverse lineups choosable by lifestyle: fragrant "Hoji Bancha," astringency-suppressed "Japanese Black Tea Tea Bags," "Premium Sencha Powdered Tea" usable for cooking and sweets, "Benifuki Powdered Green Tea" containing much methylated catechin, and powdered tea and tea bags enjoyable just by pouring hot water or water. Accompanying wide scenes — from daily cups to guest reception.

Ise Kameyama's tea time spreading from regional sales floors and directly-managed stores

In addition to the main store in Kameyama City — also selling Ichikawa Dairakuen's tea at local producer-direct stores and supermarkets: JA Suzuka "Kasaisai," Super Sanshi, Gyutora's "Local Land Ookin-na," and MaxValu's "Earth Cultivator Corner." A region-rooted sales style — where tea raised in the Ise Kameyama satoyama naturally melts into daily living.