FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Emptea is fully based in Kobe, Japan, while most "Japanese tea" brands in the US market are run from outside Japan. Our company, founder, operations, and supplier relationships are all in Japan, and every product is crafted in Japan before being shipped directly to you.

Our founder is also a practitioner of samurai-style Sado (the Japanese tea ceremony), which deeply shapes the way we select, prepare, and present our tea. This combination of being truly Japan-based and rooted in Sado is something other brands cannot replicate.

Emptea is based in Kobe, Japan. Kobe's surrounding region was among the first in Japan to cultivate tea, over 1,200 years ago, by imperial decree. Kobe's port became the gateway through which Japanese tea reached the world.

Unlike many "Japanese tea" brands operating from the US or other countries, our company, founder, operations, and supplier relationships are all in Japan. Every product is crafted in Japan and shipped directly from our facility.

Yes. All of our products are made in Japan, sourced from trusted Japanese tea farmers and tea masters with whom we have direct relationships. Our matcha, hojicha, sencha, and kukicha are all crafted by experienced Japanese tea masters, and our tea ware is handmade by skilled Japanese artisans.

Sado (茶道, "the Way of Tea") is the Japanese tea ceremony — a centuries-old cultural practice that transforms the preparation and sharing of tea into a ritual of mindfulness, hospitality, and harmony. It originated in the 15th century and is considered one of the most refined expressions of Japanese aesthetics and philosophy.

Our founder is a practitioner of samurai-style Sado, and Emptea exists to bring the spirit of this practice — focus, intention, and harmony — into your everyday life. Every product we offer is selected and prepared with this philosophy in mind.

Ceremonial grade refers to the highest quality of matcha, traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony. It is made from the youngest tea leaves, stone-ground at a controlled speed to achieve a fine, smooth texture, and intended to be enjoyed straight as usucha (thin tea) without milk or sweeteners.

"Ceremonial Grade" is not a regulated term, so quality varies by brand. At Emptea, we define it as matcha that can be enjoyed straight as usucha, making it suitable for authentic Japanese tea ceremony (chanoyu) use.

Yes. Our ceremonial-grade matcha (Okumidori, Yame, and Kagoshima) is crafted specifically to be enjoyed straight as usucha, with a smooth texture and minimal bitterness. It can also be used for lattes, smoothies, and culinary applications, but it shines most when prepared traditionally.

We have a complete video tutorial covering all of our teas at our Video Tea Tutorial page. You can also explore our Journal for in-depth guides on matcha preparation, hojicha brewing, sencha techniques, and how to care for your chasen and chashaku.

Our Matcha Zen Kit also includes an online lesson and step-by-step video guide for preparing matcha.

Yes. Many of our tea ware items, including our Black and White Raku Matcha Bowls, the Takayama Shin Chasen, and the Katana Chashaku, are handcrafted one by one by skilled Japanese artisans. Each piece has subtle individual character that reflects the maker's hand.

At this time, we do not offer individual selection of handmade items. Each piece is unique, and we carefully inspect every item before shipment to ensure it meets our quality standards.

Most of our tea ware items are handcrafted by Japanese artisans, one piece at a time. This means quantities are naturally limited by the time and care required for each item. Our tea products are also produced in small batches by trusted tea farmers to maintain quality and freshness.

We strive to display colors and images as accurately as possible. However, because many of our products are handcrafted and natural materials like bamboo and clay have subtle variations, the exact appearance of the item you receive may differ slightly from the photos shown.

We currently ship only to the United States, with all orders fulfilled from our facility in Japan. We have plans to expand our shipping capabilities to select international locations in the future. Please note that we do not ship to PO boxes, remote islands, Mexico, or Russia.

We aim to deliver your order within 7-10 business days. Please note that preordered items may take longer.

We offer flat rate shipping for all orders. Orders over USD 100 qualify for free shipping.

Yes, if your shipment is delivered to a location outside of Japan, you may be responsible for paying customs duties, import taxes, or other fees. These charges vary depending on your location and are determined by your country's customs office.

To stay informed about future stock, look for the "Notify Me" button that appears when an item is out of stock. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know about new collections and exclusive offers.

Items must be unused, in their original packaging, and in the same condition as received. For full details, please see our Refund Policy.

Contact us through our contact form within 7 days of delivery, and our team will guide you through the return process.

A restocking fee of 10% of the item value or the initial shipping cost may apply, depending on the situation. Our team will provide the specific details when you initiate a return.

You may cancel an order within 24 hours of placing it by contacting us through our contact form. After 24 hours, the order may already be in preparation and cancellation may not be possible.