Yamada Chaya
Yamada Chaya (Japanese for Yamada teahouse) is a Taranaki-based brand founded by Yoshi and Kayleigh that describes itself as an online Japanese teahouse. It sells matcha it sources from generational tea farms near Uji, Kyoto, in three tiers of 40 g tins (a premium high-grade blend and the Koharu no Shiro and Kyou no Mukashi superior grades), alongside hōjicha, matcha latte kits, chawan bowls, whisks and glassware.
What does Yamada Chaya say about its sourcing
The company says its matcha is sourced from generational tea farmers near the Uji tea fields in Kyoto, the region it calls the birthplace of Japanese matcha, and that the founders spent over a decade learning about matcha before launching. It frames the brand around the tea ceremony idea of ichi-go ichi-e (one time, one meeting) and the four principles of chado: harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. The founders say the business grew out of frustration with the matcha quality available in New Zealand. These are the company's own statements about its supply chain and story.
What does Yamada Chaya sell
A tight, drinking-focused range built around 40 g tins in three tiers, with teaware to match.
- Premium matcha: the brand's high-grade blend tier in a 40 g tin
- Koharu no Shiro and Kyou no Mukashi: two named superior-grade matcha in 40 g tins
- Hōjicha: a first-harvest dark-roast powder
- Matcha latte kits, to-go bundles, chawan bowls, bamboo whisks and glassware
Where can you buy Yamada Chaya
Direct from the brand's web store, which ships from New Zealand. It is an online teahouse rather than a physical one, so the site is the place to check the current range and stock.
- yamadachaya.co.nz (opens in a new window): the brand's official store, matcha tiers, sourcing statements and teaware.
How should you evaluate it for yourself
The same checks apply to every matcha brand, this one included: match the grade to the use (ceremonial for drinking plain, culinary for lattes and baking), look for a stated origin and a harvest or best-before date, prefer airtight opaque packaging, and read the ingredient list: pure matcha has one ingredient, while latte blends add sugar or milk powder and are a different product.
- Ceremonial grade matcha: what the drinking grade should deliver, and how to judge it.
- Culinary grade matcha: the right expectations for lattes and baking powder.
- Where to buy matcha in NZ: every NZ buying option (supermarkets, pharmacies and specialists) side by side.
Products and prices
The Yamada Chaya products in our weekly NZ price dataset as at 5 August 2026, with prices read from the seller's own public listing on that date. Prices and stock change without notice; the product link has the current price, and the full NZ price comparison ranks every brand side by side.
| Product | Size | Price | Per gram | Grade | Purity | Listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamada Chaya Premium Matcha – High Grade Blend – 40g Tin (40g tin) | 40 g | $40 | $1.00/g | Not stated | Pure matcha | yamadachaya.co.nz (opens in a new window) |
| Yamada Chaya Koharu no Shiro Matcha – 40g Tin ($75) | 40 g | $75 | $1.88/g | Not stated | Pure matcha | yamadachaya.co.nz (opens in a new window) |
| Yamada Chaya Kyou no Mukashi Matcha – 40g Tin ($120)sold out | 40 g | $120 | $3.00/g | Not stated | Pure matcha | yamadachaya.co.nz (opens in a new window) |
Common questions
- Is Yamada Chaya a physical tea house?
- No, it describes itself as an online Japanese teahouse: a Taranaki-based web store built around tea ceremony ideas rather than a bricks-and-mortar cafe. Its matcha, hōjicha and teaware ship from New Zealand.
- Where does Yamada Chaya source its matcha?
- The company states it sources from generational tea farmers near Uji in Kyoto, Japan. As with every profile in this guide, that is the brand's own sourcing statement.
- What grades does Yamada Chaya sell?
- Three tiers, all in 40 g tins: a premium high-grade blend plus two named superior grades, Koharu no Shiro and Kyou no Mukashi. The brand does not use the ceremonial/culinary labels; the tiers are its own naming.