Roots: My Tea Field Memories of Yame

Hello everyone, Shojiro here from Yame, Fukuoka.

Today I’m writing from Hoshino Village.

Before 2010, Yame was made up of one city, three towns, and two villages—each with its own independent tea culture.

That structure may have changed administratively, but the diversity remains.

What we call “Yame matcha” actually comes from six distinct regions, each with different terrain, elevation, and growing conditions.

Tea is cultivated across a wide range—from lowland plains at around 50 meters above sea level to mountainous areas approaching 700 meters, near the upper limit for tea cultivation.

Each area produces tea with its own character, shaped by its environment.

Another defining feature of Yame matcha is its production. There are only five traditional brick tencha furnaces capable of producing true matcha.

During the short new tea season, only a limited amount can be made, which makes it exceptionally rare.

Since 2025, at Rebel Bunny, we’ve been working closely with over 50 tea farmers across Yame.

We’ve spent time together through every season—pruning in summer, preparing fertilizer blends in autumn, and supporting the fields through winter dormancy.

We’ve planted new tea trees, worked the fields side by side, studied more than 30 cultivars, and learned directly from the craftsmen who operate the traditional tencha furnaces.

This isn’t just sourcing—it’s full immersion.

I grew up in Fukuoka City, and Yame was always a place I returned to during holidays. My mother’s family has lived here for six generations.

After 15 years abroad, I came back and saw that many of these traditional practices—and the craftsmen behind them—are at risk of disappearing.

Through Rebel Bunny, my goal is simple: to preserve this culture by bringing authentic Yame matcha directly to you. Our Yame matcha series is built on that commitment.

I’ve personally visited the farms, worked with the farmers, spoken with the furnace craftsmen, and partnered with local tea merchants here in Yame for the final packaging.