Kyoto Uji New Tea Season Limited Edition! Itoh Kyuemon's "New Tea Parfait" Available Only Until Mid-May

For a taste of the most seasonal Uji tea desserts when traveling to Kyoto in late spring to early summer, keep an eye out for the limited-time "New Tea Parfait" (新茶パフェ) offered by the long-established Uji tea shop, Ito Kyuemon (伊藤久右衛門). This dessert will be exclusively available at their three tea houses: Uji Main Store, JR Uji Station Front Store (JR宇治駅前店), and Gion Shijo Store (祇園四条店) starting April 28, 2026, and is expected to be sold until mid-May.

The 88th night of 2026 falls on May 2nd. Japan has a long-standing custom of enjoying new tea around this time and praying for good health and longevity. This season's new tea parfait features Uji's new tea as the star, combining a refreshing tea aroma, matcha dessert, and multi-layered toppings. It's perfect for enjoying during a stroll through Kyoto or Uji.

Uji tea desserts available only during the new tea season

Ito Kyuemon is a long-established Kyoto Uji tea shop founded in 1832 during the late Edo period, selling Uji tea and matcha desserts for many years. Their new "Shincha Parfait" uses freshly picked Uji new tea, highlighting the refreshing aroma and crisp flavor unique to new tea.

Shincha holds special significance in Japanese tea culture as it is the earliest harvest of the year, offering a distinct aroma and refreshing taste. For Taiwanese travelers, if they usually enjoy matcha desserts, this shincha-themed parfait will feel more special and seasonal than regular matcha treats.

Multi-layered toppings stacked, try both new tea and matcha at once

This new Tea Sundae starts with a base of crushed new tea jelly made from Uji new tea, and is topped with various ingredients including matcha jelly, Royaltyne wafer, warabi mochi, ice cream, shiratama dango, red bean paste, matcha pancake, meringue, new tea agar, and sencha macarons.

The ice cream portion includes vanilla and matcha flavors, creating a balance between tea aroma and sweetness. The shop also provides a green tea syrup exclusive to the new tea parfait, allowing customers to adjust the sweetness and tea aroma to their preference.

Overall, it's not just a simple dessert, but a seasonal treat where you can experience the variations of new tea, matcha, Japanese sweets, and ice cream in one cup.

Suitable to arrange during a stroll in Uji or Gion

This new Tea Saint is only available at three stores: Uji Main Branch, JR Uji Station Branch, and Gion Shijo Branch. If you plan to visit Byodo-in Temple, the Uji Bridge area, or stroll through the tea town in Uji, you can choose the Uji Main Branch or the JR Uji Station Branch. If your itinerary is mainly in Kyoto city, Gion, or the Shijo Kawaramachi area, consider the Gion Shijo Branch.

Due to the short supply period and the fact that it's available only while supplies last, if you happen to be visiting Kyoto between late April and mid-May, it's recommended to schedule purchasing this dessert for an earlier time to avoid disappointment.

Product Information

Product Name: Shincha Parfait

Sales period: Scheduled from April 28, 2026 to mid-May

While supplies last

Price: 1,390 Yen (tax included) per item

Tea Set: ¥1,890 (tax included)

Retail stores: Uji Main Store, JR Uji Station Front Store, Gion Shijo Store

What kind of long-established tea shop is Ito Kyuemon?

Ito Kyuemon's history dates back to the late Edo period, Tenpo 3 (1832), when its founder, Ito Tsunzaemon, and Takizo began their tea business in the village of Najimura, now known as Minami Ujitawara. Subsequent generations continued tea production, and in Showa 27 (1952), a tea shop was established in Uji.

Currently, Ito Kyuemon is known not only for selling Uji tea but also for its matcha desserts, seasonal limited-edition products, and tea houses. For travelers, it is one of the shops that can easily be included in their itinerary when visiting Uji to experience Japanese tea culture and desserts.

Store and Official Information

Company Name: Ito Kyuemon (Ito Kyuemon Co., Ltd.)

Location: 19-3 Uji Todomaki, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, 611-0013

Founded: 1832

Main content: Manufacturing and sales of Uji tea, matcha desserts, etc.

Official Website:https://www.itohkyuemon.co.jp/corporate/

X:https://x.com/itohkyuemon

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/itohkyuemon

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/itohkyuemon/

Conclusion

Ikyu's New Tea Parfait is a limited-time dessert available only during the new tea season in Uji, Kyoto. The refreshing aroma of new tea, matcha ice cream, warabi mochi, shiratama, and green tea macarons are blended together, making it perfect for travelers who enjoy Japanese tea desserts.

If you're planning a trip to Kyoto from late April to mid-May, whether it's a day trip to Uji or a stroll around Gion-Shijo, you can add this seasonal parfait to your dessert list.