As spring quietly arrives, it’s once again the perfect season to enjoy Japan’s first harvest of the year — Shincha (新茶), or "new tea."

Shincha refers to the very first tea leaves picked in the season, made from the year’s earliest, most tender buds. These fresh leaves are known for their vibrant, grassy aroma and their unique flavors shaped by the local climate and soil. In this feature, we’ll introduce shincha from three renowned regions — Kagoshima, Uji in Kyoto, and Shizuoka — and also recommend beginner-friendly teapots, so you can easily savor the refreshing taste of Japanese spring.

What is Shincha (新茶)?

Tea harvesting in Japan takes place from spring through autumn, typically divided into four seasons: first flush (ichibancha), second flush (nibancha), third flush (sanbancha), and fourth flush (yonbancha). Shincha, or “new tea,” refers specifically to the first flush harvested in spring.

After absorbing nutrients throughout the winter, the tea plants sprout fresh new buds in early summer, infused with all that richness. This gives Shincha its signature taste — mellow and smooth, with a fresh umami character and a hint of pleasant bitterness. In Japanese tradition, there’s even a saying that drinking shincha brings good health for the entire year, making it a meaningful and popular gift choice as well.

Shincha is typically harvested between April and May each year. However, since Japan stretches from north to south with varying climates and tea varieties across regions, the exact harvest time can differ. While the shincha teas introduced below have estimated shipping periods listed, please note that weather conditions may cause the harvest—and therefore shipping—to be earlier or later than expected. We recommend checking the details carefully before placing your order.

Shincha from Kagoshima

Located at the southernmost tip of Kyushu, Kagoshima Prefecture features a long, narrow terrain with a climate that ranges from temperate to subtropical. Among its tea-growing areas, Tanegashima (種子島) and Yakushima (屋久島) are particularly notable — they begin harvesting shincha as early as late March, making Kagoshima the very first region in Japan to welcome the arrival of “tea spring.”

1 First-Picked Shincha “Haru no Hatsu” 2025

This first-picked shincha from Tanegashima is crafted using an early-budding tea cultivar, carefully selected from the region’s earliest harvest. Processed using the traditional light-steaming (asamushi) method, the tea brews into a delicate golden liquor, with beautifully shaped leaves that gently unfurl like tender spring foliage — a delight both to the eyes and the palate.

Product Name: First-Picked Shincha “Haru no Hatsu” 2025（初摘み新茶 ｢春はじめ｣ 2025）
Shop: LUPICIA
Price: 50g bag - JPY 1,500, 50g tin - JPY 1,830
Website: https://www.lupicia.com/shop/g/g12406505/ 
Best Before: One year from the date of manufacture
※Expected release on April 25th

2 Yakushima Shincha "Yutakamidori" 2025

This shincha from the UNESCO World Heritage site Yakushima carries a gentle yet rich natural sweetness. Its aroma is soft and mild, and it's best brewed with slightly cooled hot water to fully bring out its delicate flavors. This is a refined and elegant tea, perfect for those seeking a peaceful and mindful tea experience.

Product Name: Yakushima Shincha "Yutakamidori" 2025（屋久島新茶 ゆたかみどり 2025）
Shop: LUPICIA
Price: 50g bag - JPY 1,350, 50g tin - JPY 1,680
Website: https://www.lupicia.com/shop/g/g12406503/  　
Best Before: One year from the date of manufacture
※Expected release on May 8th

Shincha from Uji, Kyoto

Uji, Kyoto, has long been a center of Japan’s tea culture, with a rich history of tea production. In this feature, we introduce new teas from two prestigious and historic brands — Nakamura Tokichi (中村藤吉) and Gion Tsujiri (祇園辻利). Discover how these classic tea houses use traditional techniques to deliver unique and exquisite flavors.

Nakamura Tokichi (中村藤吉)

3 [Limited-Time Early Bird Pre-Order] Shincha Tea Bags

This tea bag is made from the first flush (sencha) new buds harvested this season, available only during the spring period. To preserve the unique seasonal flavor, the leaves are processed using a light steaming method with minimal roasting, perfectly capturing the fresh, aromatic essence of the spring buds. With a balanced taste that harmonizes sweetness, umami, and bitterness, it offers a lingering aftertaste that is truly unforgettable.

Product Name: [Limited-Time Early Bird Pre-Order] Shincha Tea Bags（【早期予約限定】新茶ティーバッグ）
Shop: Nakamura Tokichi 
Price: JPY 1,350
Website: https://tokichi.jp/products/r-tb-sp 　
Best Before: 4 months
※Currently accepting pre-orders, with expected shipment in mid-May

Gion Tsujiri (祇園辻利)

4 Premium Shincha - Shirakawa

"Premium Shincha - Shirakawa" is made from the finest leaves selected from the tender buds that sprout after enduring a harsh winter. These new buds have fully accumulated nutrients before harvest, resulting in a tea that is rich in concentrated, deep umami and natural sweetness. It has a smooth, velvety taste with complex layers of flavor.

Product Name: Premium Shincha - Shirakawa（【予約受付中】特選新茶 白川）
Shop: Gion Tsujiri
Price: JPY 1,409
Website: https://shop.giontsujiri.co.jp/products/26122_25  
Best Before: Guaranteed to have at least 60 days from the product's arrival
※Currently accepting pre-orders, with expected shipment in mid-May

Shincha from Shizuoka

Shizuoka is one of Japan’s most renowned tea-producing regions. Every year, the harvest season for the first flush (ichibancha) begins during the Golden Week period from late April to early May.

5 [Shincha] Abe's Clear Stream

Founded over a century ago, Satoen (佐藤園) is a tea producer located in the clear stream region upstream of the Abe River, with the brand name inspired by this pristine waterway. The tea plants grow in the cool mountain air, resulting in tender leaves and pure flavors. The local climate features gentle morning mists that shield the sunlight, allowing the tea leaves to slowly accumulate rich umami and nutrients, which translates into a refined and delicate aroma in the brewed tea.

Product Name: [Shincha] Abe's Clear Stream（【新茶】安倍の清流）
Shop: Satoen
Price: JPY 1,080
Website: https://shop.satoen.co.jp/ 
Best Before: At least 6 months
※Expected shipment after May 8th

Selected Teapots for Beginners

No tea brewing experience? No worries! We’ve specially selected a few teapots that even beginners can easily use to brew a perfect cup of tea, allowing you to enjoy the delightful flavors of Japanese shincha with ease!

1 Minimalist Teapot "Maruti" *Made in Japan

This "Maruti" Minimalist Teapot, made in Japan, is designed for busy modern individuals, offering an easy-to-use and practical tea brewing experience. 

The lid features a reference scale for tea leaves, making it simple to measure the right amount of tea for each brew. The body of the teapot also includes a fine water level scale, helping you control the water amount while brewing. 

Additionally, the lid has a built-in strainer, so there’s no need for a separate tea filter — just pour in the water, and the tea will brew smoothly, allowing the leaves to fully unfurl and release their rich aroma and flavor. The lid can even be used to heat the teapot in the microwave, and it’s durable enough for long-term use!

Product Nme: Minimalist Teapot "Maruti"（お手軽ティーポット　マルティ）
Shop: HARIO 
Price: JPY 2,200
Website: https://www.hario.com/　 

2 Strainer Teapot “Sho” *Made in Japan

Just released in April, the Strainer Teapot “Sho” is crafted from a new-generation material that combines the clarity of glass with the benefits of being lightweight and shatter-resistant — offering both beauty and practicality. Highly heat-resistant and impact-resistant, it's built for everyday use without worry.

The spout features a narrow design that allows for precise pouring and a smooth, elegant flow right down to the last drop, ensuring none of the tea’s aroma goes to waste. Inside, a removable strainer makes cleaning quick and easy, making this teapot a hassle-free choice for daily tea enjoyment!

Product Name: Strainer Teapot “Sho”（フィルターイン急須　晶）
Shop: HARIO 
Price: JPY 2,750
Website: https://www.hario.com/

3 360KYUSU - Pour from Any Angle・Impact-Resistant Design

The innovative “360KYUSU” teapot features a unique spoutless design that allows you to pour from any angle — 360 degrees of convenience! Whether you're left- or right-handed, or however you choose to hold it, pouring is always smooth and effortless.

Made from a durable resin material that looks like glass but offers excellent impact resistance, it’s highly unlikely to break even if accidentally dropped. The teapot also provides great heat insulation, so it stays cool to the touch even after pouring in hot water — safe and user-friendly.

Its smart design allows it to be neatly stacked with cups for compact storage, saving space. Lightweight and minimalist, it’s perfect not only for use at home but also for taking on the go — enjoy a good cup of tea anytime, anywhere!

Product Name: 360KYUSU
Shop: nana’s green tea 
Price: JPY 4,800
Website: https://www.nanasgreentea.com/ 

Photo Reference: PR Times