It has grown on me!

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Best Matcha Green Tea Drinks and Ice Cream in Yame, Fukuoka: My Top 5 Favorites

Yame is famous for producing some of Japan’s richest, most aromatic green tea, so it’s no surprise that the matcha ice cream here tastes completely different from anywhere else. It’s deeper, greener, smoother—like the essence of Yame tea captured in a single scoop. During my Japan trip, I tried matcha Green Tea drink and ice cream all across Yame, and these five places stood out the most.

The View from Yame Central Tea Plantation Observation Deck (八女中央大茶園展望所)

Yame Central Tea Plantation Observation Deck

2042-2 Hon, Yame, Fukuoka 834-0015, Japan

1. Kashi Kichi

Address: 2626-3 Hoshinomura, Yame, Fukuoka

Kashi Kichi

Kashi Kichi is one of my favorite stops in Hoshinomura, and their matcha smoothie is always worth the trip. Made with rich Yame matcha, it’s smooth, refreshing, and has the perfect balance of gentle bitterness and sweetness. Enjoying it in the quiet mountain village makes it taste even more special.

Kashi Kichi

2. Ushijima Seicha (牛島製茶)

Address: 405-4 Tsunoe, Yame, Fukuoka

Ushijima Seicha (牛島製茶)

Ushijima Seicha offers a matcha soft serve that feels like a direct expression of their tea-making craft. The color is a deep jade, and the flavor is intense without being overwhelming. It’s the kind of green tea ice cream that makes you pause after the first bite because it’s so pure and clean. A must‑visit for tea lovers who appreciate depth and authenticity.

Ushijima Seicha (牛島製茶)

3. Yame Cha Cafe Bunbuku (八女茶カフェぶんぶく)

Address: 269-2 Toyobuku, Yame, Fukuoka

Yame Cha Cafe Bunbuku (八女茶カフェぶんぶく)

Bunbuku’s matcha ice cream is gentle, creamy, and comforting—perfect for anyone who prefers a smoother, slightly sweeter matcha profile. The café itself has a cozy, local atmosphere, making it a lovely place to take a break and enjoy a refreshing treat between sightseeing stops.

Yame Cha Cafe Bunbuku (八女茶カフェぶんぶく)

4. Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

Address: 2019-4 Mizuhara Hirokawa, Yame, Fukuoka

Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

Chanohadou’s matcha soft serve is luxurious—rich, silky, and topped with a generous dusting of Yame matcha powder. The bitterness and sweetness come together beautifully, creating a layered flavor that lingers. This was one of the most memorable matcha ice creams of my trip, and it perfectly reflects the quality of Yame tea.

Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

5. Bengaramura Cafe Gather Drip (べんがら村カフェギャザードリップ)

Address: 100 Miyano, Yame, Fukuoka

Bengaramura Cafe Gather Drip (べんがら村カフェギャザードリップ)

Located inside the charming Bengaramura complex, this café serves a refreshing matcha ice cream that’s lighter and more refreshing than the others. It’s ideal on a hot summer day, especially after exploring the traditional red‑brick buildings and local shops in the area.

Bengaramura Cafe Gather Drip (べんがら村カフェギャザードリップ)

Matcha Ice Cream You Can Find at Supermarkets in Fukuoka

You can also find delicious commercial matcha ice cream throughout Fukuoka, especially at convenience stores and local supermarkets.

Marunaga Ice Manju Matcha (丸永あいすまんじゅう抹茶) Marunaga Ice Manju Matcha combines creamy matcha ice cream with a center of sweet Hokkaido red bean paste. The matcha has a gentle sweetness and a hint of pleasant bitterness, making it a refreshing and satisfying frozen treat.

Marunaga Ice Manju Matcha (丸永あいすまんじゅう抹茶)

Marunaga Yame Matcha Monaka (丸永八女抹茶もなか) Marunaga Yame Matcha Monaka features a crisp monaka wafer filled with fragrant Yame matcha ice cream, offering a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy Yame’s signature tea.

Marunaga Yame Matcha Monaka (丸永八女抹茶もなか)

After exploring cafés, tea shops, and even convenience stores across Yame and Fukuoka, I realized that matcha here can be enjoyed in so many forms—smoothies, soft serve, and even affordable commercial ice cream. Whether it’s a handcrafted drink in a quiet village or a packaged treat from a local supermarket, each one highlights the depth and character of Yame matcha in its own way. It’s one of the reasons I love coming back to this region: no matter where you go, you can always find a little taste of Yame’s tea culture.

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Thursday, January 29, 2026

Why Chanohadou Is a Must‑Visit Spot for Yame Green Tea Lovers in Fukuoka, Japan

Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Fukuoka, Japan in summer, 2025. This time, we visited Chanohadou (茶の葉堂), which is a small tea maker in Hirokawa, Yame, known for its carefully crafted Yame green tea and matcha. It offers a cozy space where visitors can enjoy tea, sweets, and even glimpse traditional stone‑ground matcha production.

Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

Visiting Chanohadou was such a pleasant surprise. They carry a thoughtful selection of Yame green teas along with tea‑based sweets and small goods, and I loved sampling their cold‑brew green tea — it was so refreshing that I immediately bought a bag to take home.

Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)

I also tried their matcha soft serve for 480 yen and a cup of high‑quality cold Yame green tea for 300 yen, both simple but really well made.

They sprinkled matcha powder over the matcha soft serve, which made it feel more luxurious and special.

The cold green tea was gyokuro (玉露), a fancy Japanese green tea that’s shade‑grown, making it sweeter and more umami than regular tea.

After that, I wandered into their small production area, where I could watch how stone‑ground matcha is made.

A sign said that only 40 grams of matcha can be made per hour, which made me realize why stone‑milled matcha is so rare and expensive.

I even got to try hand‑grinding matcha myself, and the slow, rhythmic motion made the experience surprisingly calming and memorable.

Chanohadou is a small but worthwhile stop in Yame — great cold‑brew tea, matcha‑topped soft serve, and a rare chance to see stone‑ground matcha being made. It’s a quick visit that leaves a lasting impression.

What I purchased at Chanohadou

I ended up bringing home a few things from Chanohadou, each one reflecting the charm of Yame’s tea culture, and some of them were souvenirs for my friends. From cold‑brew green tea to matcha powder, a matcha shaker, and local pantry items, everything felt thoughtfully made and worth trying.

1. Cold Brew Yame Green Tea (奥八女本格冷茶水出し煎茶)

18 tea bags for 800 yen

Cold Brew Yame Green Tea

2. Yame Matcha Powder (八女抹茶)

30g for 600 yen

Yame Matcha Powder

3. Matcha Shaker

800 yen

Matcha Shaker

4. Yame Green Tea Hard Candies (茶あめ)

88g for 200 yen

Yame Green Tea Hard Candies

5. Ochazuke (大人の冷茶漬け)

4 servings for 500 yen

Ochazuke

6. Fish Rice Crackers (小魚せんべい)

350 yen

Fish Rice Crackers

Chanohadou (茶の葉堂)
2019-4 Mizuhara Hirokawa
Yame, Fukuoka

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Thursday, January 22, 2026

Summer Countryside in Yame, Japan: A Visit to the Hirouchi–Uebaru Terraced Rice Fields in Hoshinomura

As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I visited Japan in the summer of 2025. After exploring Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館), the Tea Culture Museum, we decided to visit the Hirouchi–Uebaru Terraced Rice Fields (広内・上原の棚田).

A Large Illustrated Wall Map at Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館)

Near the entrance of Cha no Bunkakan, my husband and I noticed a large illustrated wall map showcasing Yame’s scenic and cultural highlights. It featured photos of terraced rice fields, temples, tea spots, and forested mountains. That’s where I first saw the name “Hirouchi–Uebaru Terraced Rice Fields,” and it immediately caught my attention. We decided to visit, and it took us only about ten minutes by car to reach the observatory, Hirouchi Road Park.

It was a sweltering summer day, the kind of heat that makes the air shimmer and the cicadas sing louder than usual. Even with the intense heat, the area felt peaceful and quiet, tucked away in the countryside like a forgotten page from a storybook. As I listened to the cicadas, I was reminded of what summer in the Japanese countryside truly feels like.

The terraced fields were breathtaking—lush green tea trees cascading down the hillside in perfect harmony with the land. At the base of the slope stood a traditional Japanese house, its tiled roof and wooden frame blending seamlessly into the scenery. It felt like something out of a Studio Ghibli film—a place where time slows down and nature whispers its stories.

Before visiting Japan this summer, I had completely forgotten about nyūdōgumo (入道雲), those towering summer clouds that are such an iconic part of the season. Seeing them again after many years, along with the loud chorus of cicadas, became one of my strongest memories of summer 2025.

The rice fields stopped being cultivated after the 2012 flood, but local volunteers continue to care for the landscape. Because of their work, the terraces remain intact, and spider lilies bloom beautifully in autumn.

I really enjoyed the beautiful countryside scenery that day. It was very hot, the fields were bright green, and the sky was a deep blue with big, strong nyūdōgumo rising above the mountains. The loud sound of cicadas filled the air, and it all reminded me of how special summer in Japan feels.

If you come to Hoshinomura, I suggest visiting Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館), Tea Culture Museum too. Visiting both places lets you enjoy Yame’s culture, landscape, and peaceful atmosphere.

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Thursday, January 15, 2026

A Taste of Japanese New Year Traditions (2026 Edition)

New Year’s holidays — oshōgatsu (お正月) — are the most important celebration in Japan. Every year, my husband and I enjoy preparing traditional dishes that welcome good fortune and mark the beginning of a fresh year. Here is what we ate during this year’s New Year’s holidays.

New Year’s Eve: Toshikoshi Soba (年越しそば)

In Japan, people do ōsōji (大掃除), a big year‑end cleaning, before welcoming the New Year. After finishing our cleaning, our final meal of the year was toshikoshi soba, a tradition meant to “cut off” the hardships of the past year.

Toshikoshi Soba (年越しそば)

This time, my husband cooked soba noodles and finished them with tempura shrimp, soft tororo kombu, fresh green onions, crunchy tenkasu, and a little yuzu kosho for a bright, spicy kick.

Traditional Japanese Foods for New Year (おせち料理)

Japanese New Year (Shōgatsu) is celebrated from January 1 to January 3, known as sanganichi (三が日). Families gather, visit shrines, and enjoy special dishes called osechi ryōri (おせち料理), each food carrying a symbolic meaning for health, prosperity, and happiness.

My husband and I spent New Year’s Eve preparing our osechi dishes together.

Osechi Ryōri (おせち料理)

Ozoni (お雑煮), Mochi Soup

Mochi is essential during the New Year. Many families enjoy ozoni, a warm mochi soup that varies by region.

Ozoni (お雑煮)

This year, my husband made chicken and shrimp ozoni with handmade mochi we received from my friend before New Year’s Eve. The tender mochi melting into the savory broth felt especially comforting on a cold New Year morning.

Chikuzenni (筑前煮), Simmered Chicken and Vegetables

Chikuzenni is a classic New Year dish from Fukuoka, and each ingredient carries a special wish for the year ahead.

Chikuzenni (筑前煮)

This year, I made mine with satoimo, carrot, gobo, konjac, chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and lotus root.

Lotus root (れんこん) → Its holes symbolize “seeing ahead,” wishing for a clear, hopeful future. Because it has many seeds, it also represents prosperity and the growth of future generations.
Carrot (にんじん) → Symbolizes good fortune and rising luck. Its bright red color adds a celebratory, auspicious touch.
Chicken → A symbol of good fortune and prosperity.
Satoimo (里芋) → Represents family prosperity, as many small taro grow from one parent taro.
Gobo (ごぼう) → With long, deep roots, it symbolizes stability, strong foundations, and long life.
Konjac (こんにゃく) → Associated with good relationships, harmony, and strong family bonds.
Shiitake mushrooms (しいたけ) → Symbolize longevity and good health.

If you want to try making it, you can check out my previous recipe: How to Cook Chikuzenni, Japanese Simmered Chicken and Vegetables.

Datemaki (伊達巻), Sweet Rolled Omelet

Datemaki is a sweet, fluffy rolled omelet made with eggs and fish paste (hanpen). Its scroll‑like shape symbolizes knowledge and learning.

Datemaki (伊達巻)

I made datemaki again this year — soft, sweet, and one of my favorite osechi dishes. It’s also surprisingly easy to make with hanpen, eggs, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. If you want to try making it, you can check out my previous recipe: How to Cook Datemaki: Perfect for New Year's

Kuromame (黒豆), Sweetened Black Soybeans

Kuromame represent diligence and good health, carrying the wish to stay hardworking and healthy throughout the year.

Kuromame (黒豆)

I cooked kuromame again this year, letting the beans simmer slowly until they became glossy and tender. You can see my recipe here: How to Cook Kuromame for Osechi.

Simmered Shrimp, Ebi no Umani (海老のうま煮)

Shrimps and Prawns are called ebi (海老, えび, エビ) in Japanese, and they symbolize longevity—their curved shape resembles the bent back of a long‑lived elder.

Ebi no Umani (海老のうま煮)

On New Year’s Eve, we went to Costco to buy fresh shrimps for our osechi. This was my second time making Ebi no Umani, and it turned out so good. I’ll share the recipe in a future post.

Grilled Cheese Mayonnaise Shrimp (海老マヨチーズ焼き)

We also made grilled cheese mayonnaise shrimp this year, one of our favorite osechi dishes. It’s rich, savory, and so easy to prepare. You can find the recipe in my previous post, How to Cook Grilled Cheese Mayonnaise Shrimp for Your Osechi Meal.

Grilled Cheese Mayonnaise Shrimp (海老マヨチーズ焼き)

This time, we enjoyed Mitake (三岳), a shochu we brought back from Yakushima Island in 2024. Shochu is a traditional Japanese distilled spirit made from ingredients such as sweet potatoes, barley, or rice. In Japan, people traditionally drink a small amount of otoso (おとそ)—a mixture of alcohol, mirin, and herbs—during the New Year holidays for good luck. Mitake isn’t considered otoso, but we still enjoyed it as part of our New Year’s good‑luck tradition.