Shincha is the first tea of the year, picked from the season's opening flush and sold within weeks of being made. Japanese growers count 88 nights from the start of spring â hachijuhachiya, around the beginning of May â as the traditional moment to harvest. The plant has spent the winter storing amino acids, so the first leaves carry more sweetness and a bright, almost fruity aroma that later harvests never quite match. That aroma is also the reason shincha is drunk young: it fades over the months, and by autumn the same tea has settled into an ordinary sencha. Brew it like a sencha, a touch cooler, and drink it while it is new.
Tea Artisan: FujiwaraăăKagoshima
Nestled amidst the lush mountains, the Fujiwara family tends to a small tea garden where they handcraft the Shincha Yakushima Yabukita tea with love and care. Fujiwara-san's passion for organic tea cultivation has not only fulfilled his own dream of owning an organic tea garden but has also paved the way for pioneering work in organic farming practices in the region. It is truly a privilege to collaborate with such a dedicated and visionary farmer.
Origin: YakushimaJapan
The Shincha Yakushima Yabukita tea is cultivated on the picturesque island of Yakushima, located in the southernmost part of Japan. This island is blessed with abundant rainfall, mountainous terrain, and a mild subtropical climate, creating ideal conditions for growing Japanese green tea. During our visit to Yakushima Island, we were captivated not only by the lush wildlife but also by the unwavering dedication of the local people to preserving it.
Cultivar: YabukitaTea variety
As the name would suggest, the Shincha Yakushima Yabukita is made from the Yabukita cultivar, the most common tea plant variety in Japan.
Yabukita: The yabukita is the most popular tea plant variety in Japan, making up 75% of the total tea production. Part of this is because of the flavor it produces. The Yabukita cultivar produces these strong, vegetal flavor profiles that a lot of tea drinkers appreciate, which contributes to its popularity.
Preparation & ServingsUp to 48 cups
Hot brew: 5 g of leaves, 150 ml of water at 60°C (140°F), 1 minute.
Brew it again: the same leaves give 3 infusions. Re-infuse 2 more times with water at the same temperature, 20 seconds each; every infusion tastes a little different.
Cold brew: best enjoyed hot, we do not recommend cold brewing this tea.
One pack: Up to 48 cups · 16 à 5 g servings, 3 infusions each · 80 g / 2.8 oz.
Why choose Nio Teas?
For us, tea is more than a beverage, itâs a way of life. Weâve spent years visiting tea farms across Japan, tasting teas with the people who grow them and building lasting, direct relationships. We believe this is the most sustainable way to source tea: fewer intermediaries, greater traceability and a closer connection between farmer and drinker.
Every tea is 100% pesticide-free and carefully selected for its taste, origin and craftsmanship. Whether youâre discovering Japanese tea or comparing cultivars and terroirs, youâll find honest tasting notes, precise brewing guidance and real support to help you get the best from every cup.
Typical values per 100 ml of brewed tea, from the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (MEXT, 8th edition), sencha infusion (food no. 16037; 10 g leaf, 430 ml water at 90°C, 1 min). Values in your cup vary with the leaf, the water and the brewing time.
Complete Your Tea RitualNo Kyusu at home? No problem!
100% Pesticide-FreeDirect from FarmersPure & UnblendedSingle-Origin TerroirSmall-Batch HarvestAuthentic Japanese Craft
Unveiling Shincha's Superfood Power
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Caffeine
Natural caffeine for a gentle, sustained lift.
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Antioxidants
Rich in catechins and other naturally occurring antioxidants.
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Chlorophyll
Naturally rich in chlorophyll, the pigment behind matchaâs vibrant green colour.
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Potassium & Calcium
Naturally occurring minerals that contribute to matchaâs nutritional profile.
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L-theanine
An amino acid naturally found in tea, associated with a calm, focused feeling.
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Vitamins A, C, E & K
Contains a range of vitamins naturally present in the whole tea leaf.
Why Buy Your Shincha from Nio Teas
No middlemen, no pesticides, no risk.
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Try it with confidence. If it isnât right for you, contact us within 30 days.
15 Japanese Tea Farmers
Our tea brings together the craft and regional expertise of 15 partner farmers across Japan.
Direct from Farmer to Cup
We build lasting relationships with our farmers for fewer intermediaries and greater traceability.
100% Pesticide-Free Shincha
Every Shincha is grown without pesticides, then personally tasted and selected by our team.
How to Make Shincha Like a Pro
To prepare this Shincha Yakushima Yabukita, you can use a lower temperature water and a shorter brewing time. 1 minute should be the perfect brewing time to extract a delicious flavor from this green tea.
Heat the Water
Heat water to 60°C (140°F).
Add the Leaves
Add 5 g of leaves to a kyusu teapot.
Steep
Pour 150 ml of water and steep for 1 minute.
Pour & Brew Again
Pour out every drop, then brew the same leaves 2 more times (20 seconds each).
Loose Leaf Tea Over Teabags
Rich in Flavor, Not in Microplastics.
Farmer: Fujiwaraăă
Why Organic Shincha Fields Make a Difference
Tea plants absorb everything from the soil, making pesticide-free farming especially important. The farmers we work with have found a way to grow delicious tea without harming the natural ecosystem.
Nio teas has been my favourite place to purchase good quality teas for a while now, and still they never disappoint me. Their teas are excellent quality, however, Iâd like to give more attention to customer service - Nio team has been very kind and helpful each time I had any sort of problem. Their customer service never disappoints, they are very attentive and quick in responding to any queries, hence why Iâve been a loyal customer for a while now.
Apr 1, 2026
5 out of 5 stars
5/5
Sean
My favorite vendor for Japanese organic loose leaf green teas. They are sourcing some of the best organic teas out of Japan and supporting family farmers and the growing organic tea industry as a whole.I have ordered from every vendor for years and Nio consistently has the best prices and selection overall. They provide top notch customer service and fast shipping as well. Highly recommended đ
Shipping is free once your order passes the threshold for your country â USD 54.99 · EUR 54.99 · GBP 44.99 · CHF 49.99 · CAD 74.99 · DKK 399 · SEK 599 · PLN 229 · CZK 1,290. Everywhere else it's the equivalent of USD 54.99, converted automatically. Below the threshold a flat rate applies, always shown at checkout before you pay.
When will it arrive?
Delivery in 4â12 Business Days Due to High Demand
We ship from warehouses in the US, the EU and Japan â whichever is closest to you. US and EU orders arrive in 4â12 business days; the handful of countries served from Japan take around 10. Business days count from dispatch rather than from when you order, and exclude weekends and public holidays. You'll get a tracking number by email the moment your parcel leaves the warehouse.
We only buy from fields grown without pesticides or chemicals. We ask each farmer directly how they manage their land, visit the plantation and processing facility ourselves, taste every harvest before committing, and check that the biodiversity around the fields is alive. Small family farms don't always carry paperwork â so we verify it in person instead.
Japanese green tea covers an enormous range, and choosing online isn't easy. If you've tried yours and it isn't for you, email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a line on what you didn't enjoy. We'll send a different tea of equal or lower value, free. Nothing to post back â keep it, share it, or try brewing it cooler. Once per order.
Email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a photo. We'll approve it, cover the return postage with a prepaid label or a reimbursement, and refund you â no restocking fee. Refunds go to your original payment method within 2 business days of the return reaching us; your bank may take another 5â20 to show it.
Unopened items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Tea is sealed for hygiene, so opened packs can't come back â but the swap above covers exactly that situation. Return postage is yours unless the item arrived damaged, defective or incorrect.
Orders to the US and EU ship domestically from our local warehouse, so there's no customs charge and no duty. A small number of destinations are served from our Japan warehouse, where your own customs authority may apply import duty, VAT or a carrier handling fee on delivery. Those are set by your country, not by us. Ask before you order and we'll help you check.
I ordered three shinchas and this was by far my favorite. It's perfectly balanced and so easy drinking that I always want more. Also, the little quote on the packet makes me smile: "Please feel this wind in which there is a good flavor."
I hope this is available in 2025 . . .
When I opened the packet, I could smell the lovely fragrance. Absolutely love the biscuit notes and each sip ends with a little vegetal umami. I went on with this tea up to 5 steeps. Later steeps had so much sweetness and I love how refreshing it is.
Yakushima Yabukita âShinchaâ (æ°è¶ or "new tea")
Tasting Notes: Classic Japanese Green Umami with notes of Buttered Brussel Sprouts, Seaweed Wrap, Cooked Rice, Sakura, and Steamed Milk with sweetness both in taste and aroma. Smooth, medium finish with a creamy texture, light and persistent dryness throughout, and a subtle astringency to âglueâ the shifting tone of salty to sweet. This Shincha held up extremely well to a high-heat sampling brewed with cooled down boiled water (200-205) for 1 min, 3.5 grams but Iâve done this only for tasting purposes. The recommended temperature for this tea would vary from as low as 140 to as high as 185, and Iâve always found the leaf ratio for Japanese greens to be much more idiosyncratic to the particular individual but the starting ratio Iâd recommend is 3.5 grams per 100ml Gongfu, or 1.5-3 grams per 500-750 ml mug. This is a Japanese green which will have a radically different balance depending on whether you stick firmly to Western or Gongfu brewing instructions, moving closer to fresh vegetables and umami characteristics the closer you get to Gongfu. The liqueur colour is toned from a Sencha which is expected of this type, and has a more reserved, clear pale green to yellow colour often associated more with Chinese greens while still carrying over the classic neon-green vibrancy youâd expect from most Japanese green teas in the cup. A solid, fresh, and accurate representation of a high-quality Japanese Tea. Iâd recommend always straining Japanese Green Tea with a fine mesh strainer or using a mesh strainer Kyusu or raw Tokoname Clay Kyusu for the absolute best results.
This is a mediocre Yabukita with not too much flavor. I really like the Asatsuyu and Kuritawase here so I was hoping there would be a good Yabukita, but it's not their best.
I have been drinking tea from Nio for a little over one year and as time goes by am learning more and more about exactly how to properly brew each one for maximum flavor. This is one I enjoy more and more as time goes by.
The yakushima sencha has a balanced flavor that isn't too strong or too weak. It's a great option for someone who wants a classic green tea experience.
I found this sencha from Nio to be smooth and mellow. It doesn't have a strong aftertaste or overpowering flavor, making it a great option for someone who prefers subtle teas like me!
This sencha has a nice, clean taste that's perfect for sipping on a relaxing afternoon. The flavor is light but satisfying, without any harshness or bitterness.
The Yakushima sencha is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a straightforward Japanese green tea experience. It has a simple taste that's easy to enjoy without any fuss.
