Best Places to Buy Matcha Sets
One of the most popular products that every tourist buys in Japan is a matcha set. In order to fully enjoy good tea, it is pertinent to purchase a good set with a proper whisk, bowl and delicious, authentic matcha blends that invokes nostalgia. Here are a few good spots to purchase a quality matcha making set.
Matcha, Tea and Kitchenware Heaven
Found in Tokyo’s Asakusa, Kappabashi Dougugai Kitchen Town is adored by locals and tourists for its treasure trove of matcha utensils such as bowls, whisks, scoops and more at reasonable prices.
They have artisan-designed, traditional textured ceramic chawan (matcha bowls) and bowls with modern styles, from $6 to $30. Kappabashi Maeda offers standout chasen (bamboo whisks) with unique designs and materials such as rare plastic or resin whisks, making it a great find for curious collectors. People can find selections of matching whisk holders and scoops and matcha storage containers for any matcha.
This location is also known for having an almost endless amount of specialty stores that offer plenty of other trinket and kitchen supplies such as artsy ceramics, tableware, knives and artisan-engraved chopsticks.
Ippodo Tea has two branches—in Kyoto and Tokyo—and is renowned for its selection of high-quality matcha and tea tools as well as its popular powders and ceremony utensils. However, in Kyoto, for example, it is not just a shop, but is also equipped with tea rooms and spaces for matcha making classes.
Ippodo Tea has plenty of starter kits such as the “Hajime-no-Ippodo Matcha Starter Kit,” which includes a chawan, 80-tip chasen, matcha “to-go” packets and matcha making guide. They also have an online exclusive matcha kit featuring a 100-tip chasen, chashaku (bamboo tea ladle), whisk stand, tea strainer, bowl, matcha powder and guide. Their basic matcha kit contains a chasen, chashaku, whisk stand, tea strainer and a can of matcha.
Of course, they sell a variety of utensils outside of the sets with different kinds of Takayama chasen (bamboo whisks) crafted by artisans in Takayama, or resin whisks. Other products include chashaku, original Ippodo chakoshi (tea strainer) and matcha sieves.
Loft is a popular kitchenware chainstore and the Shibiya location sells up to about 80,000 unique items such as gifts, stationery and homeware.
On the kitchenware floor, you can find matcha kits that typically include a whisk and powder. Loft stores tend to be budget friendly, making it simple to find a good value, good quality matcha set.
There’s also a dedicated section for tea, matcha tools and kitchenware. Shoppers can expect to find matcha bowls, bamboo whisks, tea sifters, teapots and stylish tumblers, all of which are curated to be practical and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, teapots with infusers, cold brew bottles and other must-have accessories for tea making are available.
About an 11-minute walk from Gojō Station, Kaikado in Kyoto is a timeless tea-caddy atelier and café, where artisanship, heritage and class blend to create a matcha lover’s dream.
Kaikado introduced Japan’s first tinplate tea canisters known as chazutsu and revolutionised tea preservation. It’s a resourceful airtight storage which, compared to traditional pottery or wood, preserves freshness of matcha and other teas for much longer.
Expect to see their classic tea canisters made of tin, copper or brass, available in various sizes, including versions designed for coffee or confectionery. Kaikado has also partnered with Danish studio Oeo to create styles of copper teapots, jugs and serving trays. It is a beautiful mix of Scandinavian minimalism and Japanese craftsmanship.
Bring Home a Taste of Japan’s Timeless Matcha Tradition
Whether for tea lovers or travelers seeking to savor the taste of Japanese culture at home, a matcha set is a must-buy. Japan is filled with places that sell matcha starter kits ranging from budget-friendly ones found in department stores to traditionally handcrafted heirloom pieces.