Uji is a lovely town between Kyoto and Nara, considered the Birthplace of MATCHA.
Checked in with the hostesss at Nakamura Tokichi Honten, the Matcha Tea restaurant renown for Matcha infused items, such as Maruto Parfaits, Tea Jellies and Matcha Ice Creams. We had plenty of time to explore the town. Staff was just calling #53, we were way down the list at #148.
The restaurant does provide real time mobile access to the waiting list, so we were free to explore and not be tethered to the queue.
We slowly strolled back across the bridge, our number was almost up. We walked by a CROQUETTE shop, and had to peek in. The ladies were hand forming croquettes of various flavors, and frying them fresh to order.
The shopkeeper handed us our Matcha Croquette just as our phone alerted us our number was almost up. A short walk up the block, and ready for dessert!!!
This is Shin Matcha, the NEW Matcha Season, when the first harvest of new Tea Leaves happen. The First Flush is considered the most prized and the highest quality, the very best matcha.
My wife just could not resist and HAD to sneak a nibble of the Matcha Croquette she had just bought up the street. I tried to tell her that outside food was not allowed, but does she listen??
The server came by with our order and startled the wife, who promptly dropped the croquette in her own lap. The server politely admonished her and a tiny No Outside Food sign magically appeared on our table. Quite embarassing.
We enjoyed our First Tastes of the Matcha Season and headed contently back to the JR Station. Lucked out again, and got the Jump Seats right behind the conductor. Nice ride back to Kyoto.
Glad you enjoyed Nakamura Tokichi Honten. We never made it to the Uji location (next time, since the new nintendo museum is close by), but had it in both Kyoto and Ginza. Not as good views as you got, but still very memorable. Did you try their matcha hard candy? My SO has a sweet tooth and always asks for specifically that if I go through Japan. My other favorite past time is watching people wolf down the giant parfaits (too sweet and too much for us)
