Japan has developed an extremely wide variety of tea cultivars, especially sencha. Through this list we can also see that although green tea is mainly developed in Japan today, the country does indeed have a past history of producing black and oolong teas as well.
Tip 1: Trying to search the internet in Japanese with just kanji, but keep getting Chinese-language results? Try adding とは to the end of your all-kanji search terms.
Tip 2: Despite most cultivars having kanji, they are usually written with hiragana only. You’re likely to get more accurate results by searching using the hiragana and adding characters like 茶 (tea, ちゃ) and 品種 (variety, ひんしゅ). E.g., やぶきた茶品種 (yabukita cha hinshu).
Key:
FCC indicates that the cultivar was registered as a Forestry Certified Cultivar (農林認定品種) under the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) (農林水産省).
SSLRC indicates that the cultivar was registered as a Seed and Seedling Law Registered Cultivar (種苗法登録品種).
Japanese Tea Cultivar List
Image | Name | Japanese | Rough Translation / Name Meaning | Date of Reg. | Used For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
Akane | あかね【茜】 | Red-coloured | 1953 FCC | Black Tea |
Asagiri | あさぎり【朝霧】 | Morning Mist | 1954 FCC | Gyokuro | |
Asahi | あさひ【朝日】 | Morning Sun | Unregistered | ||
Asanoka | あさのか【朝のか】 | Asanoka Tea | 1996 SSLRC | ||
Asatsuyu | あさつゆ【朝露】 | Morning Dew | 1953 FCC | Sencha | |
Benifuji | べにふじ【紅富士】 | Red Fuji | 1960 FCC | Black Tea | |
Benihikari | べにひかり【紅光】 | Red Light | 1969 FCC | Black Tea | |
Benihomare | べにほまれ【紅誉】 | Red Honour | 1953 FCC | Black Tea | |
Benikaori | べにかおり【紅香り】 | Red Fragrance | 1960 FCC | Black Tea | |
Benifūki Alt: Benifuuki or Benifuki |
べにふうき【紅富貴】 | Red Riches | 1993 FCC 1995 SSLRC |
Black Tea, Oolong Tea | |
Benitachiwase | べにたちわ 【紅立ち早生】 |
Red Early Standing Bud | 1953 FCC | Black Tea | |
Chachūkanbohonnō 1 Alt: Chachuukanbohonnou 1 or Chachukanbohonno 1 |
ちゃちゅうかんぼんのう1 【茶中間母本農1】 |
Intermediate Mother Tea [Tree] Agriculture #1 | 1992 SSLRC | ||
Chachuukanbohonnō 2 Alt: Chachuukanbohonnou 2 or Chachukanbohonno 2 |
ちゃちゅうかんぼんのう2 【茶中間母本農2】 |
Intermediate Mother Tea [Tree] Agriculture #2 | 1998 SSLRC | ||
Chachuukanbohonnō 3 Alt: Chachuukanbohonnou 3 or Chachukanbohonno 3 |
ちゃちゅうかんぼんのう3 【茶中間母本農3】 |
Intermediate Mother Tea [Tree] Agriculture #3 | 2002 SSLRC | ||
Chachuukanbohonnō 4 Alt: Chachuukanbohonnou 4 or Chachukanbohonno 4 |
ちゃちゅうかんぼんのう4 【茶中間母本農4】 |
Intermediate Mother Tea [Tree] Agriculture #4 | 2008 SSLRC | ||
Chachuukanbohonnō 5 Alt: Chachuukanbohonnou 5 or Chachukanbohonno 5 |
ちゃちゅうかんぼんのう5 【茶中間母本農5】 |
Intermediate Mother Tea [Tree] Agriculture #5 | 2008 SSLRC | ||
Chachuukanbohonnō 6 Alt: Chachuukanbohonnou 6 or Chachukanbohonno 6 |
ちゃちゅうかんぼんのう6 【茶中間母本農6】 |
Intermediate Mother Tea [Tree] Agriculture #6 | 2008 SSLRC | ||
Fujikaori | ふじかおり【藤香り】 | Wisteria Aroma | 1996 SSLRC | ||
![]() |
Fukumidori | ふくみどり【福みどり】 | Green Fortune | 1986 FCC 1988 SSLRC |
Sencha |
![]() |
Fūshun | ふうしゅん【富春】 | Rich Spring | 1991 FCC 1993 SSLRC |
Sencha |
Harumidori | はるみどり | Spring Green | 2000 FCC 2003 SSLRC |
Sencha | |
![]() |
Harumoegi | はるもえぎ【春萌え木】 | Spring Young Bud | 2003 FCC 2006 SSLRC |
Sencha |
![]() |
Harunonagori | はるのなごり【春の名残】 | Relic of Spring | 2012 FCC 2012 SSLRC |
Sencha |
Hatsumidori | はつみどり【初緑】 | First Green | 1954 FCC | Sencha | |
Hatsumomiji | はつもみじ【初紅葉】 | First Autumn Leaf | 1953 FCC | Black Tea | |
Himemidori | ひめみどり【姫緑】 | Princess Green | 1960 FCC | Gyokuro | |
Hokumei | ほくめい【北名】 | Famous North | 1992 FCC 1995 SSLRC |
Sencha | |
Hōrainishiki Alt: Hourainishiki or Horainishiki |
ほうらいにしき | 2008 SSLRC | |||
Hoshinomidori | ほしのみどり【星の緑】 | Green Star | 1981 SSLRC | ||
Hōshun Alt: Houshun or Hoshun |
ほうしゅん【鳳春】 | Spring Phoenix | 2006 SSLRC | Matcha | |
Inaguchi | いなぐち | Named after a Mr. Inaguchi, the private producer who selected the tea. | 1988 SSLRC | Sencha | |
Indo | いんど | 1953 FCC | Black Tea | ||
Izumi | いずみ | Spring Tea / Fountain Tea | 1960 FCC | Kamairi Tamaryokucha, Black Tea, Oolong Tea, Sencha | |
kanayaibuki | かなやいぶき【金谷息吹】 | Kanaya Vitality. Kanaya is the name of a past town in Shizuoka which has become part of the city of Shimada. | 2009 SSLRC | ||
Kanayahomare | かなやほまれ【金谷誉】 | Kanaya Honour. Kanaya is the name of a past town in Shizuoka which has become part of the city of Shimada. | 2009 SSLRC | ||
Kanayamidori | かなやみどり【金谷緑】 | Kanaya Green. Kanaya is the name of a past town in Shizuoka which has become part of the city of Shimada. | 1970 FCC | Sencha | |
Kibōnome Alt: Kibounome or Kibonome |
きぼうのめ【希望の芽】 | Bud of Hope | 2013 SSLRC | ||
Kiraka | きらか【きら香】 | Kira (possibly Sparkling) Fragrance | 2006 SSLRC | ||
Kirari31 | きらり31 | Kirari (onomatopoeia for a momentary flash of light) 31 | 2016 SSLRC | ||
Kōshun Alt: Koushun or Koshun |
こうしゅん【香駿】 | Swift Incense | 2000 SSLRC | ||
Koyanishi | こやにし【小屋西】 | West Hut Tea | 1953 FCC | Sencha | |
Kyōmidori Alt: Kyoumidori or Kyomidori |
きょうみどり【京緑】 | Kyoto Green | 1954 FCC | Gyokuro, Tencha | |
Makinoharawase | まきのはらわ 【牧之原早生】 |
Makinohara (city in Shizuoka) Early Bud | 1953 FCC | Sencha | |
Mantennokagayaki | まんてんのかがやき 【満天の輝き】 |
Brilliance of the Sky | 2015 SSLRC | ||
Marishi | まりし【摩利支】 | Marishi (Buddhist Deity) | 1996 SSLRC | ||
Midorinohoshi | みどりのほし【緑の星】 | Green Star | 2001 SSLRC | ||
Meiryoku | めいりょく【茗緑】 | Green Tea. Mei is an additional word for tea, ryoku is an additional word for green (and bears the same kanji), see ryokucha. | 1986 FCC 1987 SSLRC |
Sencha | |
*Meiryokuhō 1 Alt: Meiryokuhou 1 or Meiryokuho 1 |
めいりょくほう1 【茗緑方1】 |
Green Tea Type 1. Mei is an additional word for tea, ryoku is an additional word for green (and bears the same kanji), see ryokucha. | 1996 SSLRC | ||
Mieuejima | みえうえじま【三重上嶋】 | Named after its creator, Mr. Uejima of Mie Prefecture. | 2003 SSLRC | ||
Minamikaori | みなみかおり【南香り】 | South Aroma | 1988 FCC 1990 SSLRC |
Kamairicha | |
Minamisayaka | みなみさやか Known by kana only. |
Clean South (alt: Fresh South, Bright South) | 1991 FCC 1994 SSLRC |
Sencha, Black Tea | |
Minekaori | みねかおり【峰香り】 | Summit Aroma | 1988 FCC 1990 SSLRC |
Sencha | |
Mineyutaka | みねゆたか【峰豊】 | Summit Abundance | 1996 SSLRC | ||
Miyamakaori | みやまかおり【深山香り】 | Aroma of the Mountain Recess | 2003 FCC 2006 SSLRC |
Sencha | |
Miyoshi | みよし | 1953 FCC | Sencha | ||
Musashikaori | むさしかおり | Musashi Aroma. Musashi is a former province consisting of parts of Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa in the present day. | 1997 FCC 2001 SSLRC |
Sencha | |
![]() |
Nagomiyutaka | なごみゆたか【和み豊】 | Relaxed Abundance | 2012 FCC 2012 SSLRC |
Kamairicha, Sencha |
Nanmei | ねんめい【南茗】 | South Tea | 2012 FCC 2014 SSLRC |
Sencha | |
Narino | なりの | 2002 SSLRC | Matcha | ||
Natsumidori | なつみどり【夏緑】 | Summer Green | 1954 FCC | Sencha | |
Okuharuka | おくはるか【奥春香】 | Interior (Late-Budding) Spring Fragrance | 2015 SSLRC | ||
Okuhikari | おくひかり【奥光】 | Interior (Late-Budding) Light | 1987 SSLRC | ||
Okumidori | おくみどり【奥緑】 | Interior (Late-Budding) Green | 1974 FCC | Sencha | |
Okumusashi | おくむさし【奥武蔵】 | Interior (Late-Budding) Musashi. Musashi is a former province consisting of parts of Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa in the present day. | 1962 FCC | Sencha | |
Okunoyama | おくのやま【奥の山】 | Interior (Late-Budding) of the Mountain | 2002 SSLRC | Matcha | |
![]() |
Okuyutaka | おくゆたか【奥豊】 | Interior (Late-Budding) Abundance | 1983 FCC 1983 SSLRC |
Sencha |
Rokurō Alt: Rokurou or Rokuro |
ろくろう【六郎】 Kanji not in use. |
Unknown, appears to be a name. | 1953 FCC | Sencha | |
![]() |
Ryōfū Alt: Ryoufuu or Ryofu |
りょうふう【涼風】 | Cool Breeze | 1997 FCC 2001 SSLRC |
Sencha |
Ryokufū Alt: Ryokufuu or Ryokufu |
りょくふう【緑風】 | Green Breeze | 2002 SSLRC | ||
![]() |
Saeakari | さえあかり【冴え明かり】 | Clear Glow | 2011 FCC 2012 SSLRC |
Sencha |
![]() |
Saemidori | さえみどり【冴え緑】 | Green Clarity | 1990 FCC 1991 SSLRC |
Sencha |
Sagarahikari | さがらひかり【相良光】 | Sagara (name) Light | 1998 SSLRC | ||
Sagarakaori | さがらかおり【相良香り】 | Sagara (name) Aroma | 2000 SSLRC | ||
Sagaramidori | さがらみどり【相良緑】 | Sagara (name) Green | 1998 SSLRC | ||
Sagarawase | さがらわせ【相良早生】 | Sagara (name) Early Bud | 2000 SSLRC | ||
![]() |
Sainomidori | さいのみどり【埼の緑】 Kanji not in use. |
Saitama’s Green (This is a best guess, as the cultivar originated in Saitama Prefecture.) | 2003 FCC 2006 SSLRC |
Sencha |
![]() |
Sakimidori | さきみどり【幸緑】 | Green Harvest | 1997 FCC 2001 SSLRC |
Sencha |
Satōwase Alt: Satouwase or Satowase |
さとうわせ【佐藤早生】 | Sugar Early Bud | 1986 SSLRC | ||
Satsumabeni | さつまべに | Satsuma Red. Satsuma is a former province in present-day west Kagoshima prefecture. | 1960 FCC | Black Tea | |
Sawamizuka | さわみずか Kanji not in use. |
“Sawa” likely refers to a mountain stream or wetlands. “Mizu” as a word part often refers to things relating to water. | 1995 SSLRC | ||
Sayamakaori | さやまかおり | Sayama Aroma | 1971 FCC | Sencha | |
Sayamamidori | さやまみどり | Sayama Green | 1953 FCC | Sencha | |
Seimei | せいめい | Clean / Pure Tea. Note: The first kanji character can also refer to the Qing Dynasty of China, and this choice seems to have been deliberate. | 2017 FCC | Sencha | |
Shizu-7132 | しず7132 【静7132】 |
Shizuoka #7132 | Unregistered | ||
Shizukaori | しずかおり | Shizuoka Aroma | 2015 SSLRC | ||
Shōju Alt: Shouju or Shoju |
しょうじゅ【松寿】 | Inspired by Shōjuin, a chief of the island of Tanegoshima (where this tea was created) in feudal times. | 1996 SSLRC | ||
Shunmei | しゅんめい | [unknown] Tea | 1988 FCC 1990 SSLRC |
Sencha | |
Shuntarō Alt: Shuntarou or Shuntaro |
しゅんたろう | 2009 FCC 2011 SSLRC |
Sencha | ||
![]() |
Sōfū Alt: Soufuu or Sofu |
そうふう【蒼風】 | Green Wind | 2002 FCC 2005 SSLRC |
Sencha, Kamairicha, Oolong Tea |
Sunrouge | サンルージュ Not a Japanese word. |
Red Sun (rouge is red in French) | 2009 FCC 2011 SSLRC |
n/a | |
Takachiho | たかちほ【高千穂】 Kanji not in use except when referring to the city of Takachiho. |
Named after Takachiho Town in Miyazaki Prefecture. | 1953 FCC | Kamairicha | |
Takanawase | たかなわせ | [unknown] Early Bud | 1985 SSLRC | ||
Tamamidori | たまみどり 【玉みどり】 |
Green Jewel | 1953 FCC | Tamaryokucha, Sencha | |
Tenmyō Alt: Tenmyou or Tenmyo |
てんみょう【天明】 | Many possible translations. Could be “Sky Mantra”, “Wisdom of God”, “God’s Mantra”, or perhaps “Wisdom of the Heavens”
“天”, or ten, usually refers to the sky, heaven, or God. “明”, or myou, may refer to mantra, wisdom, or the Ming Dynasty. |
2006 SSLRC | Matcha | |
Terakawawase | てらかわわせ【寺川早生】 | Terakawa Early Bud. Named after Toshio Terakawa, who registered the cultivar. | 1990 SSLRC | Matcha | |
Toyoka | とよか | Unknown | 1976 FCC | Sencha | |
Tsukasamidori | つかさみどり | May be “Green Hill” or “Chief Green”. | 1984 SSLRC | ||
Tsuyuhikari | つゆひかり【露光】 | Dew Light | 2003 SSLRC | ||
Ujihikari | うじひかり【宇治光】 | Uji Light. Uji is a city in Kyoto. | Unregistered | ||
Unkai | うんかい【雲海】 | Sea of Clouds | 1969 FCC | Kamairicha | |
Yabukita | やぶきた【藪北】 | North Bush | 1953 FCC | Sencha | |
Yaeho | やえほ【八重穂】 | Too many possible translations. See 八重穂 on Jisho. | 1954 FCC | Sencha, Gyokuro | |
Yamakai | やまかい【山峡】 | Mountain Ravine | Unregistered | ||
Yamanoibuki | やまのいぶき【山の息吹】 | Breath of the Mountain | 1997 SSLRC | ||
Yamanami | やまなみ Known by kana only. |
Mountain Wave | 1965 FCC | Kamairicha, Black Tea | |
Yamanoibuki | やまのいぶき【山の息吹】 | Vitality of the Mountain | 1997 SSLRC | ||
Yamatomidori | やまとみどり【大和緑】 | Yamato Green. “Yamato” is the name of a former province in present-day Nara Prefecture, but also refers to ancient Japan. | 1953 FCC | Sencha | |
![]() |
Yumekaori | ゆめかおり【夢香り】 | Dreamy Aroma | 2006 FCC 2009 SSLRC |
Sencha |
Yumesuruga | ゆめするが【夢駿河】 Kanji almost never used. |
Suruga Dream. Suruga is a former province located in central and northern Shizuoka Prefecture. | 2012 SSLRC | ||
![]() |
Yumewakaba | ゆめわかば【夢若葉】 | Dreamy New Leaves | 2006 FCC 2008 SSLRC |
Sencha |
Yutakamidori | ゆたかみどり【豊緑】 | Abundant Green | Unregistered |
To be added in future updates:
- Houryoku (unregistered)
- Surugawase (unregistered)
- Fujimidori (unregistered)
- Kuritawase (unregistered)
- Kurasawa (unregistered)
- Ouiwase (unregistered)
- Gokou (unregistered)
- Komakage (unregistered)
- Samidori (unregistered)
- Oguramidori (unregistered)
- Ujimidori (unregistered)
- Karabeni (unregistered)
- Tadanishiki (unregistered)
- Benitsukuba (unregistered)
- Misaki (unregistered)
This page is a work in progress – watch this space!
If you’re really interested in Japanese tea cultivars, come back every so often. We plan to continually update this space until we have a wide database of as many Japanese tea cultivars as we can, information about them, what they are used for, etc.
Some of this information is incredibly difficult to find in English, but we wanted to make it available to the English speaking world who appreciate Japanese tea. Thank you kindly for your patience!