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ALL  2026 HASHIRI SHINCHA  HAVE ARRIVED - TRY NOW WITH 10% OFF! CODE:

Hashiri Shincha 2026
Sofu Pest.Free

Super Premium 97 P.

SKU
5660
Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu
Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu
Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu
Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu
Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu
Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu
  • 2026
The very first Shincha of 2026. Grown pesticide-free on the southern Pacific island of Yakushima, Japan, crafted from the rare gourmet Sofu cultivar. 80g
Character Maritime umami, elegant, grassy-hay, highly refreshing with a lingering sweetness
Tea Farm Yakushima Tobucha farmer collective
Terroir Anbo, Yakushima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Harvest 1st harvest (Ichibancha): 10 April 2026
Cultivar Sofu
Elevation 108m above sea level
Steaming Between asamushi and chumushi (35 seconds)
Shading No shading necessary due to weather conditions
Cultivation  Cultivated without the use of pesticides 
Laboratory Tests Radioactivity (annual test of region) and pesticides
Grade 97/100 p. (Shincha category); Super Premium
€19.90
80g

Delivery : up to 5 business days

Incl. VAT, excl. shipping

SKU
5660
€248.75 / 1kg
In stock
Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu

Tea Farm

The tea fields of the Yakushima Tobucha farmers' collective are located in Anbo, in the very eastern part of Yakushima Island. It is a region abundant with crystal-clear mountain water owing to the Anbogawa River, which originates directly in the Yakushima cedar mountains. The tea fields are located close to the ocean, allowing the fresh sea breeze to circulate through them. The teas are grown entirely without the use of artificial pesticides.

Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu

Character

Tasting Notes

Full-bodied, maritime umami and substantial depth lend this tea a nourishing character, with an elegant, refined bitterness. This is accompanied by a striking freshness, strength, and grass-fresh notes typical of the Sofu cultivar. Like the other Shincha, the 2026 harvest displays a pure, intense sweetness due to the weather conditions. With its robust maritime character, Sofu represents the island terroir of Yakushima like no other, with its millennia-old, moss-covered cedar forests and impressive maritime flora and fauna – making this tea particularly fascinating for comparative tastings.

Leaf

Interplay of light and dark needles, smaller leaf pieces

Cup

Delicate green-yellow

Hashiri Shincha Yakushima Sofu

Shincha 2026

Shincha, which translates from Japanese as "new tea", marks the start of the tea season in Japan and is eagerly awaited every year. For the Japanese tea world, it is considered the highest quality tea of the current season and embodies the perfect freshness of Japanese green teas thanks to its extensive aroma spectrum. Only the tea buds and young leaves, the first shoots of spring, are harvested. Their wealth of valuable nutrients is decisive for the unmistakable freshness and strength that makes shincha so exceptional. Small harvest quantities and high demand make this special first harvest a highly limited, seasonal tea.

Yoshien Labortests

Laboratory Tests

We go to great lengths to identify the finest organic tea farms across the world’s most celebrated terroirs. All our teas are sourced directly from the farmer and, with a few exceptions, are certified organic or come from pesticide-free farms. Each batch of tea for every harvest is tested for pesticides and other pollutants in an independent German lab to ensure they meet our strict quality standards as well as HACCP food safety requirements. Likewise, the regions of Japan from which we source our teas are tested for radioactivity for every harvest.
Yoshien

Yoshi En

Premium Organic Teas

Our comprehensive portfolio focuses on organic, single-origin teas sourced directly from renowned farms. We believe in creating partnerships with farmers who share our values and are committed to sustainable, responsible tea cultivation. Thanks to these strong relationships our exciting range is constantly growing and evolving. As an international team of dedicated and passionate tea experts, we are committed to preserving centuries-old tea culture while ensuring it remains relevant and continues to bring joy in the present. About Yoshi En.

Cultivation

Special features in location, cultivation and processing

Yakushima is renowned for its unique, pristine natural environment and has been recognised as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1993. Around 90% of the subtropical island is covered by the Mononoke rainforest, making it a highly popular destination for hiking enthusiasts, with approximately 300,000 visitors each year. 

Due to its dramatic terrain, Yakushima is often referred to as the “Alps on the Ocean”. At 1,936 metres, the snow-capped Mount Miyanoura is the highest peak in Kyushu. The average annual temperature is 19.4°C, while the differences between day and night (around 6–7°C) are quite pronounced due to the island’s high mountains, making for ideal conditions for green tea cultivation. The island has the highest rainfall in Japan (4,400mm per year), resulting in numerous streams, rivers and springs that generate large amounts of mist. 

Clear water, abundant mist, and significant day–night temperature variations in a subtropical climate provide the perfect conditions for cultivating the earliest and highest-quality Shincha.

Single Origin

This tea is sourced exclusively from the above-mentioned tea fields in Yakushima, directly purchased from the farmer.

100% pure

Preparation

Brewing Guide

2-3 heaped teaspoons (approx. 5-8g) per 100–300ml water, 55–60°C. Steep for 2 minutes.

We recommend enjoying this tea in several infusions in order to fully savour the special character of Shincha:

1. 60°C, 120 sec.

2. 65°C, 10 sec.

3. 70°C, 20 sec.

4. 70°C, 30 sec.

5. 80°C, 20 sec.

For a particularly strong infusion that brings out the full character of the Sofu cultivar, we recommend almost boiling water (90-100°C) and a brew time of 1 minute.

Packaging

High-quality, airtight, resealable standing zipper pouch with 9 protective layers to preserve flavour and protect against oxidation and contamination.

Recommended Teapot

To highlight the aromatic balance of umami, freshness, and delicate bitter notes, we recommend using a Banko Kyusu for this year's Shincha, which enhances the tea's character and emphasises its sweetness. Alternatively, a black Tokoname Kyusu can also be used, which has a more neutral effect on the tea.

Recommended Storage

A high-quality tea caddy made of cherry bark (solid wood, kabazaiku chazutsu) is ideal, though any airtight tea caddy with internal coating will suffice.

Test results

Test results
We find it very important that our teas are pure and produced in a way that respects the environment. For this reason, each one of our teas is tested for pesticide residues by an independent laboratory, the results of which can be found here. Some of our teas are also tested for specific nutritional compounds, in which case the test results are also published here.
See tests
Test results

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