Sourced from a revered mountain farm in Okumikawa, Aichi, this handpicked sencha is crafted by the Obayashi family, who have been producing award-winning Japanese teas for over 30 years. The tea’s name, Hijiri—meaning “sacred”—pays homage to the land itself, believed to be where the gods of the Ise Jingu reside. This tea is made from a blend of century-old Yabukita trees and wild yamacha, a rare mountain variety grown from seed (zairai shu). The result is a sencha of extraordinary character: long, intact leaves with a touch of stem for added sweetness, offering a mild, balanced cup with nutty depth, earthy notes, and a clean, refreshing finish. While it carries less umami than other high-end senchas, its quiet complexity and mountain terroir make it one of the most memorable Japanese greens we’ve come across.