Gyokuro & Sencha
Hibiki-an
響庵 · Hibiki-an
A century-old Uji grower specialising in shade-grown gyokuro and single-cultivar sencha. Known for the thick umami-driven cup that only a full 20-day shading period on first-flush leaf can give.
What they're known for
- ▸ Hibiki-an's top-grade gyokuro is shaded for a full 20 days before picking — the industry baseline is 14.
- ▸ All tea is hand-plucked from first-flush (ichibancha) leaves only — the single most expensive part of the Japanese tea calendar.
- ▸ Cultivars used include Saemidori, Asahi, and Gokō — the three most prized gyokuro varieties in Uji.
- ▸ Each lot is still finish-fired by the fourth-generation tea master himself.
Hibiki-an (響き庵) is a small Kyoto-based tea house that focuses on single-origin, single-cultivar Japanese green teas from the Uji region. Where most producers blend for consistency, Hibiki-an keeps each field and cultivar separate so drinkers can taste the difference between a Saemidori gyokuro and a Gokou — the same approach wine estates take with single-vineyard bottlings. Their gyokuro is shade-grown under traditional reed canopies (honzu) for a full twenty days, producing an intensely sweet, umami-forward liquor with almost no astringency. We source their top Kihin (貴賓) grade directly from Uji.
Teas from Hibiki-an
Buy Hibiki-an Tea Online
Browse our full selection of Hibiki-an teas, sourced direct from the producer and shipped worldwide. Every tea is personally selected, sealed at origin, and delivered to your door.
At Tea 931 we work directly with Hibiki-an, cutting out middlemen to bring you authentic factory-fresh tea at fair prices. Every order ships worldwide with tracked delivery — from the tea mountains of China and Japan straight to your cup. Whether you are a seasoned collector or trying premium loose-leaf for the first time, our curated selection makes it easy to buy genuine Hibiki-an tea online with confidence.