Takema Tea

History of Takema

【Surrounded by deep mountains and blessed with clear water and air, it offers the finest production environment.】

Takema district is a mountain village in Northern Kumomoto prefecture, on the border with Yame city in Fukuoka prefecture, and known as a producer of high-quality tea with a 380-year history.

The history of Takema tea dates back to around 1634, and it was traditionally offered as tribute tea to successive feudal lords of the Hosokawa domain.

During the Meiji era, black tea production flourished here, with exports even reaching Europe.

Viewed from Nishidake at 648 meters above sea level, the Takema region is surrounded by lush green mountains and features a bowl-shaped terrain dotted with numerous tea fields.

 Its rich natural environment—clear air, pure water, and deep morning and evening fog—makes it exceptionally well-suited for tea cultivation.

History

    Tadatoshi Hosokawa                   Kumamoto castle

Kumamoto Castle, built by Kiyomasa Kato, is considered one of Japan's three most famous castles for its impregnable defenses. 

Also known as GINNAN-JO, it showcases unique construction techniques utilizing beautiful curved stone walls and the natural terrain.

When Tadatoshi Hosokawa entered the domain, he promoted development centered on Kumamoto Castle, leading to the flourishing of Hosokawa culture.

His grandfather, Yūsai Hosokawa, was renowned as a leading cultural figure of his time.

His father, Tadaoki Hosokawa, was also known as a tea master and was a disciple of Sen no Rikyū, known for the most important tea master.

Inheriting this lineage, Tadatoshi himself was a man of letters and possessed exceptional talent in martial arts. One of the famous samurai of the Edo period, Miyamoto Musashi, spent his later years in Kumamoto because Tadatoshi invited him as a guest.

Takema Tea Company Philosophy

Takema Tea began in 1923 when Hatsuji Nakamitsu cultivated tea fields in Takema district, Kumamoto Prefecture. Since then, we have consistently strived for total quality improvement in cultivation, manufacturing, and sales to produce tea as a specialty product. 

Guided by our motto, “Serving society through tea,” we focus on promoting local agriculture and strive daily to develop alongside our community. We continuously work to produce and sell tea that meets the needs of our consumers.