Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Links to Sazen Tea itself are not affiliate links. Shipping, prices and policies below are from Sazen Tea’s website at the time of writing (October 2026) and change often – check the current terms at checkout.
Quick Verdict
- Is Sazen Tea worth it? Yes, especially for matcha and teaware. It’s a Japan-based shop that sells matcha from famous Uji makers – including Marukyu Koyamaen, Kanbayashi Shunsho and Hekisuien – at prices it says match Japanese domestic retail, and ships worldwide.
- Best for: matcha lovers who want well-known Uji brands without reseller markups, and anyone looking for handmade Japanese teaware.
- Not ideal for: small, urgent orders. Preparation takes days, international shipping adds more, and you’re responsible for any customs charges.
- Best first order: one or two matcha tins from a famous Uji maker, plus a whisk or teaware piece to reach the free-shipping threshold.
- Prefer a smaller, curated shop of farm teas? Nio Teas ships teas from small Japanese farms. At the time of writing, ordering through the links on this page automatically applies a 10% discount at checkout – no code needed. Offers can change, so check the final price in your cart.
Below: who runs Sazen Tea, what it sells, shipping and customs in plain English, the honest downsides, and how to order smart.
If you’ve ever tried to buy Marukyu Koyamaen or another famous Uji matcha outside Japan, you’ve probably seen the problem: sold-out listings, marketplace sellers charging two or three times the Japanese price, and tins of uncertain age. Sazen Tea is one of the shops matcha drinkers recommend most often as the way around that. It’s based in Japan, sells at Japanese prices, and ships to customers around the world.
The Problem You’re Actually Trying to Solve
You want authentic Japanese matcha or teaware from well-known makers, at a fair price, from a seller you can trust – and you’re willing to wait for international shipping if it means avoiding inflated reseller prices. You want to know whether Sazen Tea is reliable and what to expect with shipping and customs.
Who This Article Is NOT For
- If you’re still choosing which matcha brand to buy, my matcha brand comparison will help you decide before you shop.
- If you’re planning to visit Kyoto and would rather buy in person, my guide to the oldest tea shops in Uji and Kyoto covers the historic shops worth visiting.
- If you need tea within a few days, a seller in your own country will be faster.
Who Runs Sazen Tea
Sazen Tea Co., Ltd. was founded in 2014 by Motonari Jotatsu, a historian and qualified Japanese tea instructor, and his wife Agnes Balogh, a graphic artist who serves as managing director. The company describes itself as Kyoto-based, and its head office and warehouse are in Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, close to Kyoto.
Its model is straightforward:
- Sell famous Japanese tea brands and artisan teaware online, in English and Japanese
- Price products at Japanese domestic retail levels, according to the company
- Ship directly from Japan to customers worldwide
The owner says he personally selects and tests the teaware the shop sells.
What You Can Buy
Matcha from well-known Uji makers, including:
- Marukyu Koyamaen
- Kanbayashi Shunsho
- Hekisuien
- Hokoen
- Yamamasa Koyamaen
Japanese leaf teas: gyokuro, kabusecha, sencha, kukicha, genmaicha, hojicha, kamairicha and more.
Chinese and Taiwanese teas: oolongs and other styles – unusual for a Japanese tea shop.
Teaware: teapots, cups, matcha bowls, whisks, scoops, tea caddies, trays and sets, including handmade pieces from Japanese craftspeople.
What’s Genuinely Good
- Famous brands at fair prices. Buying Marukyu Koyamaen or Kanbayashi Shunsho at roughly Japanese prices is often far cheaper than buying from overseas resellers, even after shipping.
- A wide choice of Uji makers in one place. Comparing several historic matcha houses side by side is hard to do anywhere else.
- Excellent teaware selection. Handmade bowls, kyusu and accessories you won’t find in Western stores.
- Free shipping over a threshold. At the time of writing, international orders over about $150 USD (or €120) shipped free – though the threshold shown on the site has varied, so check the banner.
- Small extras. USD orders include a free tea sample, and registered customers earn reward points (1% of purchase value) on orders.
- DDP option. With DHL or FedEx, you can choose to pay duties and taxes at checkout so there are no surprise charges on delivery (where available).
The Honest Downsides
- Slow preparation. Orders usually take several business days to prepare before shipping – Sazen’s site says 3-10 business days after payment, and longer at busy times.
- Customs are your responsibility. As the importer, you may owe duties, VAT or handling fees, depending on your country – unless you choose DDP where it’s offered.
- Responsibility passes when it leaves Japan. Sazen ships on FOB terms, so claims for lost or damaged parcels go through the courier. Adding signature and insurance is recommended for expensive orders.
- No refunds on tea for personal reasons. Perishable items like tea can’t be returned unless they arrive wrong or damaged.
- Limits on popular items. Sought-after matcha and handmade teaware may be limited per customer or sell out quickly.
- Short cancellation window. Orders can only be changed or canceled within 12 hours.
Shipping and Customs, in Plain English
| Step | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Usually 3-10 business days after payment |
| Couriers | DHL, FedEx or Japan Post EMS, depending on your country |
| Transit | Usually fast once shipped (express couriers) |
| Customs | You may owe duties or taxes on arrival |
| DDP (DHL/FedEx) | Pay duties at checkout – no surprises on delivery, where available |
| Tracking | Sent after shipment |
Sazen’s own shipping guide also notes that splitting a large order into smaller packages can sometimes keep each one below your country’s duty threshold – worth checking against your local rules.
How to Order Smart
- Aim for the free-shipping threshold. Combine matcha with a whisk, scoop or teaware piece.
- Choose DDP if it’s offered for your country. It costs more upfront but avoids surprise charges and delays.
- Add insurance for expensive teaware. Responsibility passes to you once the parcel leaves Japan.
- Order before you run out. With preparation and shipping, plan on one to three weeks overall.
- Register an account to collect reward points on future orders.
- Check the “Limited” label on popular items – they can sell out between visits.
What to Buy First
| If you want… | Look for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A famous matcha at a fair price | Marukyu Koyamaen or Kanbayashi Shunsho usucha grades | Hard to find abroad without reseller markups |
| To compare Uji houses | Two small tins from different makers | Tasting side by side shows each house’s style |
| A first matcha set | A whisk, scoop and bowl with one tin | Reaches free shipping and covers everything you need |
| A special gift | A handmade matcha bowl or kyusu | Teaware is where Sazen really stands out |
Sazen Tea vs. Other Ways to Buy
| Sazen Tea | Nio Teas | Marketplace resellers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ships from | Japan | Japan | Varies |
| Strength | Famous Uji brands at Japanese prices, great teaware | Small farm teas, easy to browse | Fast delivery |
| Price | Japanese retail + shipping | Shop price + shipping | Often heavily marked up |
| Freshness | Shipped from Japan | Shipped from Japan | Uncertain |
| Best for | Famous matcha brands, teaware | Discovering farm teas | Urgent, small purchases |
A Few Things People Ask Me
Is Sazen Tea legit? Yes. It’s a registered Japanese company that has been selling tea internationally since 2014, with clear published policies on shipping, customs and returns.
Is Sazen Tea cheaper than Amazon for Marukyu Koyamaen? Often, yes – especially for larger orders that reach free shipping. Compare the total including shipping and any customs charges for your country.
How long does Sazen Tea take to arrive? Plan for preparation of several business days plus courier transit and customs – typically one to three weeks in total, and longer in busy seasons.
Will I pay customs? Possibly. It depends on your country and order value. Choosing DDP with DHL or FedEx, where available, lets you pay at checkout instead of on delivery.
Where I Landed
Sazen Tea is one of the best ways to buy famous Uji matcha and Japanese teaware from abroad without paying reseller prices. It’s not the fastest option, and you need to understand customs for your country, but for well-known matcha brands and handmade teaware, the combination of fair prices and trustworthy sourcing is hard to beat. Plan your order, reach the free-shipping threshold, and choose DDP if you can.
You can browse the full range at Sazen Tea.