Chishima Chaho
Chishima Chaho is a tea shop in Bungotakada’s Showa no Machi shopping district. It was established in 1922 and sells mainly sencha (Japanese green leaf tea) from Kagoshima prefecture, matcha (powdered green tea) from the city of Uji, and tea equipment such as cups, teapots, and utensils. Kagoshima prefecture is one of the country’s top tea-producing areas and like Oita prefecture, is located on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu.
The shop also showcases a number of retro keepsakes from the Showa era (1926–1989) including old tea boxes and items such as vintage telephones. Chishima Chaho is like a small museum for learning about traditional Japanese tea culture, as well as a place to stock up on tea leaves. In addition to matcha, the store also sells other items used for traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.