Uji-cha (tea from the Uji region of Kyoto) is one of the most famous of Japan’s renowned green teas. Everyone from peasants and laborers to samurai and emperors have sought it for its health benefits and refined taste. For centuries, skilled tea farmers from the Uji area of Kyoto Prefecture have passed their craft down through the generations. Tsuneo Horii’s family is one of those.
The Horii family has been growing tea for over 120 years in Kyoto. They also process Tencha, tea leaves to make finely ground matcha powder. Horii opened his store in Tennocho five years ago and runs it with his wife, Yokohama native Hatsumi. The store specializes almost exclusively in Uji-cha, with the exception of Benifuki-cha from Kagoshima. It is touted as a natural remedy to relieve the effects of hayfever.
Prior to opening his tea shop, Tsuneo spent ten years as a Japanese professional baseball player, seven of those in Yokohama playing for the Taiyo Whales (now the BayStars). He was also a coach and a scout, but decided to move on from his baseball career and return to the family business.
Finding a tea shop specializing in Uji-cha in the greater Tokyo area, let alone Yokohama, is a rarity. A visit to 
Matabay affords you the opportunity to taste and purchase premium tea that is difficult to find outside of the Kyoto area. The tea comes in attractive packaging and a variety of sets that make it perfect for souvenirs. Pamphlets explaining the product are available in English at the store. Matabay also sells its products on the web (via an English site) and ships worldwide.
Hatsumi says she wants to encourage everyone to drink green tea not only because it’s delicious, but also because of its many health benefits. Backing up her words, the couple drink green tea many times daily. They recommend drinking it mizudashi (cold-brewed) for the hot summer months.