Beverages

Explore Japan’s beloved beverages — from traditional green tea and matcha to modern drinks found in convenience stores. Learn the flavors, rituals, and meanings behind Japan’s way of drinking.

: The Culture of Green Tea in Japan: From Shincha Season to Everyday Hospitality

Few drinks capture the heart of Japanese daily life as beautifully as green tea — called ocha (お茶). It’s more than just a beverage; it’s a quiet ritual that reflects respect, mindfulness, and connection. From the first flush of shincha (“new tea”) in spring to the humble cup shared with guests, green tea accompanies every season and emotion of life in Japan. Shincha: The Taste of a New Season Every year in early May, tea farmers across Japan begin harvesting the year’s first young tea leaves — known as shincha. This tea is prized for its fresh, grassy aroma ...