Itoh Kyuemon - Uji Head Shop / Sabo — Restaurant in Uji

Soba restaurant attached to a matcha tea shop serving different matcha soba sets and desserts.

The restaurant is attached to a tea shop walking distance from the Uji train station. The shop sells a lot of the similar tea and matcha products as other shops in Uji. The restaurant has a ticketing system to get a number for a table. There were no english menus during my visit, but most items had photos.

I ordered a cold dipping matcha soba which came with fried rice, dessert, and tea. The dipping soba was fresh and bouncy and the broth was flavorful. The matcha flavor in the soba was very subtle though. The rice was well prepared and the heaviness contrasted well with the lighter cold soba. The dessert was jelly, mochi, whipped cream, fruit, and a matcha wafer. It was an excellent end to the meal and was not overly sweet.

The service was ok and a bit slow. The staff was kind and accommodating. I waited about 45-60 min for a table for two. The restaurant also seemed to have been sold out of some of the special meal sets by lunch. Most of the menu was still available, but this may be something to consider if visiting on busier days. The tea shop is nice to explore while waiting...

Itoh Kyuemon is a renowned tea house and specialty shop located in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, celebrated for its high-quality Uji teas and matcha-infused delicacies. Established in 1832, the main store offers a modern Japanese ambiance where patrons can enjoy a variety of teas, including matcha, gyokuro, and sencha, as well as sweets made with freshly ground.

The adjoining teahouse is particularly famous for its matcha parfaits, which feature ingredients like matcha jelly, shiratama dango (rice flour dumplings), matcha and vanilla ice cream, matcha biscuits, and adzuki beans. Seasonal offerings, such as the Matcha Mont Blanc Parfait, highlight fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Visitors can also enjoy savory dishes like matcha soba noodles, available both hot and cold. The establishment tends to be quite popular, so it's advisable to arrive early or be prepared for a wait. While the staff primarily speaks Japanese, English menus with pictures are available to assist non-Japanese speakers.

Overall, Itoh Kyuemon offers a delightful experience for tea enthusiasts and those looking to indulge in authentic matcha...

This is for a special staff member working in this cafe:

I was making my way specifically to this shop for dessert, but just ten steps away, I suddenly felt very sick and had to take a break outside in the cold at their small parking area beside the shop, where their office is located.

A very kind staff member was on her way to the office to put down a standee when she noticed I was in a lot of distress and enduring pain, having already spent 30 minutes outside. She quickly offered me a comfortable space inside their office and took care of me with hot tea. I am beyond grateful for her and her colleague’s kindness as I waited for my pain to subside after taking some medicine.

Eventually, after another 30 minutes, I was able to walk and felt so much better. Once I had recovered, I thanked them and finally got to enjoy the delicious desserts in the café. I asked for her name, but she insisted that it was really okay and that I shouldn’t worry too much.

Thank you for taking care of me! I am...