Gyokuro is grown in the dark. For around three weeks before harvest the bushes are covered with reed screens or black netting, cutting out most of the sunlight and leaving the plant with more theanine and fewer catechins. The result is Japan's sweetest, most savoury leaf tea: thick, almost broth-like, with a deep marine umami and very little bitterness. It has to be brewed accordingly — a generous amount of leaf, a small volume of water at a low temperature, and a patient steep. Treated that way it is less a refreshing drink than a concentrated one, and the later infusions, brewed hotter, open it back up.
Tea Artisan: SakamotoさんKagoshima
The Gyokuro Zen Sakamoto is grown in Shibushi, Kagoshima, one of the most fertile tea regions of southern Japan. Volcanic soil and a mild climate give the leaves both strength and flavor.
Mr. Sakamoto’s innovative use of organic fertilizers, made from sedimentary rock and bokashi compost, allows his plants to survive long shading periods without the chemical inputs typically used in gyokuro farming. His teas stand as proof that organic cultivation does not mean compromise. It can produce some of the most refined gyokuro in Japan.
The Gyokuro Zen Sakamoto is his answer for tea drinkers who seek balance: a gyokuro that delivers depth, but also calmness, freshness, and harmony in every sip.
Origin: ShibushiJapan
The Gyokuro Zen Sakamoto grows in Shibushi, Kagoshima, where warm, rainy seasons and volcanic soils produce tea of remarkable balance. Zen reflects harmony: umami that lingers but doesn’t overwhelm, nurtured by the unique conditions of this southern Japanese region.
Cultivar: Haruto 34Tea variety
Haruto 34: Haruto 34 is a rare cultivar that showcases a harmonious balance between sweetness, umami, and gentle floral notes. It is less common than cultivars like Yabukita or Saemidori, but it has gained recognition for producing teas with remarkable complexity. Farmers value Haruto 34 for its adaptability and the distinctive, almost “zen-like” calm it brings to the cup. When crafted into gyokuro, it offers a deep yet soothing flavor profile, making it ideal for reflective tea sessions.
Preparation & ServingsUp to 18 cups
Hot brew: 5 g of leaves, 150 ml of water at 60°C (140°F), 2 minutes.
Brew it again: the same leaves give 3 infusions. Re-infuse 2 more times with water at the same temperature, 30 seconds each; every infusion tastes a little different.
Cold brew: TheGyokuro Zen Sakamotoalso works beautifully as a cold brew. Add5–10 g of leavesto500 ml of cool filtered waterand steep for3–6 hoursin the refrigerator. The result is a smooth, naturally sweet tea with refreshing notes of cucumber and melon, a perfect drink for warm days.
One pack: Up to 18 cups · 6 × 5 g servings, 3 infusions each · 30 g / 1.1 oz.
Why choose Nio Teas?
For us, tea is more than a beverage, it’s a way of life. We’ve spent years visiting tea farms across Japan, tasting teas with the people who grow them and building lasting, direct relationships. We believe this is the most sustainable way to source tea: fewer intermediaries, greater traceability and a closer connection between farmer and drinker.
Every tea is 100% pesticide-free and carefully selected for its taste, origin and craftsmanship. Whether you’re discovering Japanese tea or comparing cultivars and terroirs, you’ll find honest tasting notes, precise brewing guidance and real support to help you get the best from every cup.
Typical values per 100 ml of brewed tea, from the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan (MEXT, 8th edition), gyokuro infusion (food no. 16034; 10 g leaf, 60 ml water at 60°C, 2.5 min). Values in your cup vary with the leaf, the water and the brewing time.
Complete Your Tea RitualNo Kyusu or Shiboridashi at home? No problem!
100% Pesticide-FreeDirect from FarmersPure & UnblendedSingle-Origin TerroirSmall-Batch HarvestAuthentic Japanese Craft
Unveiling Gyokuro's Superfood Power
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Caffeine
Natural caffeine for a gentle, sustained lift.
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Antioxidants
Rich in catechins and other naturally occurring antioxidants.
•
Chlorophyll
Naturally rich in chlorophyll, the pigment behind matcha’s vibrant green colour.
•
Potassium & Calcium
Naturally occurring minerals that contribute to matcha’s nutritional profile.
•
L-theanine
An amino acid naturally found in tea, associated with a calm, focused feeling.
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Vitamins A, C, E & K
Contains a range of vitamins naturally present in the whole tea leaf.
Why Buy Your Gyokuro from Nio Teas
No middlemen, no pesticides, no risk.
30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Try it with confidence. If it isn’t right for you, contact us within 30 days.
15 Japanese Tea Farmers
Our tea brings together the craft and regional expertise of 15 partner farmers across Japan.
Direct from Farmer to Cup
We build lasting relationships with our farmers for fewer intermediaries and greater traceability.
100% Pesticide-Free Gyokuro
Every Gyokuro is grown without pesticides, then personally tasted and selected by our team.
How to Make Gyokuro Like a Pro
Like all gyokuros, Zen requires careful brewing to bring out its sweet and savory balance.
Heat the Water
Heat water to 60°C (140°F).
Add the Leaves
Add 5 g of leaves to a kyusu or shiboridashi.
Steep
Pour 150 ml of water and steep for 2 minutes.
Pour & Brew Again
Pour out every drop, then brew the same leaves 2 more times (30 seconds each).
Loose Leaf Tea Over Teabags
Rich in Flavor, Not in Microplastics.
Legendary organic tea farmer in Shibushi.
Farmer: Sakamotoさん
Mr. Sakamoto is a legendary organic green tea farmer in Shibushi, Kagoshima. Over decades in the tea industry he has found a sustainable way to make flavourful gyokuro and matcha without pesticides or chemicals, using an organic fertiliser he developed himself from organic compost and a sedimentary rock mulch.
Why Organic Gyokuro Fields Make a Difference
Tea plants absorb everything from the soil, making pesticide-free farming especially important. The farmers we work with have found a way to grow delicious tea without harming the natural ecosystem.
Nio teas has been my favourite place to purchase good quality teas for a while now, and still they never disappoint me. Their teas are excellent quality, however, I’d like to give more attention to customer service - Nio team has been very kind and helpful each time I had any sort of problem. Their customer service never disappoints, they are very attentive and quick in responding to any queries, hence why I’ve been a loyal customer for a while now.
Apr 1, 2026
5 out of 5 stars
5/5
Sean
My favorite vendor for Japanese organic loose leaf green teas. They are sourcing some of the best organic teas out of Japan and supporting family farmers and the growing organic tea industry as a whole.I have ordered from every vendor for years and Nio consistently has the best prices and selection overall. They provide top notch customer service and fast shipping as well. Highly recommended 🍃
Shipping is free once your order passes the threshold for your country — USD 54.99 · EUR 54.99 · GBP 44.99 · CHF 49.99 · CAD 74.99 · DKK 399 · SEK 599 · PLN 229 · CZK 1,290. Everywhere else it's the equivalent of USD 54.99, converted automatically. Below the threshold a flat rate applies, always shown at checkout before you pay.
We ship from warehouses in the US, the EU and Japan — whichever is closest to you. US and EU orders arrive in 4–12 business days; the handful of countries served from Japan take around 10. Business days count from dispatch rather than from when you order, and exclude weekends and public holidays. You'll get a tracking number by email the moment your parcel leaves the warehouse.
We only buy from fields grown without pesticides or chemicals. We ask each farmer directly how they manage their land, visit the plantation and processing facility ourselves, taste every harvest before committing, and check that the biodiversity around the fields is alive. Small family farms don't always carry paperwork — so we verify it in person instead.
Japanese green tea covers an enormous range, and choosing online isn't easy. If you've tried yours and it isn't for you, email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a line on what you didn't enjoy. We'll send a different tea of equal or lower value, free. Nothing to post back — keep it, share it, or try brewing it cooler. Once per order.
Email info@nioteas.com within 30 days with your order number and a photo. We'll approve it, cover the return postage with a prepaid label or a reimbursement, and refund you — no restocking fee. Refunds go to your original payment method within 2 business days of the return reaching us; your bank may take another 5–20 to show it.
Unopened items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days. Tea is sealed for hygiene, so opened packs can't come back — but the swap above covers exactly that situation. Return postage is yours unless the item arrived damaged, defective or incorrect.
Orders to the US and EU ship domestically from our local warehouse, so there's no customs charge and no duty. A small number of destinations are served from our Japan warehouse, where your own customs authority may apply import duty, VAT or a carrier handling fee on delivery. Those are set by your country, not by us. Ask before you order and we'll help you check.
The quality of NIO teas is unparalleled!! I have been an avid tea drinker since my time spent working at a Japanese golf club.This is by far the best quality I have had since!
