Japan is one of the world’s most celebrated producers of green tea, renowned for matcha, sencha, gyokuro, and a deeply rooted tea culture shaped by Buddhism and ritual. This guide explores the history of Japanese green tea, its major growing regions, cultivation methods, and the distinctive varieties that define Japan’s tea tradition.  

Black tea originated in China, where full oxidation techniques created bold, enduring teas like Keemun and Lapsang Souchong that shaped global tea culture.