A tea plantation landscape of Nakai Samurai

中井侍銘茶 NAKAI
SAMURAI
PREMIUM
TEA

Nakai Samurai Premium Tea is crafted from carefully selected leaves grown in tea fields at the southernmost tip of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Enjoy its refined sweetness with virtually no astringency.

Nakai
Samurai 天龍村・中井侍
in Tenryu Village

Map of Tenryu Village in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

At the southernmost tip of Shinshu lies Tenryu Village, where over 90% of the land is forested mountains. Follow the mountain road deep into the village, and suddenly—jade-green tea fields emerge on a steep mountainside. This is Nakai Samurai, a hidden realm. The tea fields span an elevation difference of 365 meters with an average slope of 27 degrees. The majestic Tenryu River far below creates a view of breathtaking, indescribable beauty.

信州の最南端に、９割以上を山林が占める「天龍村」があります。村の山道を奥に進んでいくと、山の急斜面に突如、ひすい色の茶畑が現れます。そここそが秘境「中井侍」地区です。茶畑の高低差はなんと365ｍ、平均斜度は27度。眼下に雄大な天竜川を望む景色は言葉では表せないほど美しく圧巻です。

An aerial drone shot of tea fields in Tenryu Village and the Nakai Samurari
An aerial drone shot of tea fields in the Nakai Samurai district taken from directly above

Nakai Samurai
Premium Tea 中井侍銘茶

The Nakai Samurai district is home to the "Nakai Samurai Tea Producers Association," comprised of 11 tea farming families. Their meticulously cultivated tea leaves are processed at the local "Nakai Samurai Tea Factory" within the district. Only these rare tea leaves earn the distinguished title of "Nakai Samurai Premium Tea."

中井侍地区には11軒の茶農家で構成される「中井侍茶⽣産者組合」があり、こだわり抜いて栽培した茶葉を地区内にある「中井侍製茶工場」で製茶しています。この希少な茶葉のみに「中井侍銘茶」の称号が与えられます。

Deep and Delicate Flavor Born of the Tenryu River 天竜川がもたらす深く繊細な味わい

The tea fields are enveloped in mystical morning mist rising from the pristine Tenryu River. Nakai Samurai sits at the northern limit of tea cultivation in Japan, high in elevation and surrounded by mountains on all sides, resulting in exceptionally short daylight hours. This unique environment suppresses the formation of bitter compounds, creating a deep aroma and rich flavor born of this land.

天竜川の清流が生み出す神秘の朝霧に包まれる茶畑。中井侍はお茶の栽培地の北限に位置し、標高が高く四方を山に囲まれているため日照時間が極端に短い環境にあります。そのため通常のお茶に比べ苦味成分の生成が抑えられ、この地でしか⽣まれない深い⾹りとふくよかな味わいが造り出されます。

A landscape of misty mountains
A skilled artisan harvesting tea leaves into a basket at their waist
A steep slope in a tea field where artisans are harvesting tea leaves

Handpicked by skilled tea artisans 熟練の茶摘み職人が茶葉を選り抜く

Experienced tea artisans carry baskets at their waists, meticulously picking leaves guided by eye and touch alone. The tea fields spread across steep slopes where machinery cannot operate – every process from weeding to harvesting is done entirely by hand. This refined, hand-crafted approach selects the highest quality leaves in ways machines simply cannot replicate.

熟練の茶摘み職人たちが腰に籠を吊るし、目と指先の感覚を頼りに丁寧に葉を摘み取ります。険しい傾斜にへばり付くように広がる茶畑は大型機械を使うことができず、草刈りや摘採などすべての工程が手作業で行われます。機械では決して真似のできない繊細なお茶摘みが、質の高い茶葉を選り抜くのです。

Tea Cultivation Without the Use of Pesticides 農薬を一切使用しないお茶づくり

"Fallen mountain leaves – that's the only fertilizer we've ever used," the tea farmer tells us. The unique climate and location of Nakai Samurai's tea fields create a natural harmony between pests and beneficial insects, making, pesticide-free tea growing possible.

「肥料は山の落ち葉しか入れたことがないよ。」と茶農家さんは話します。中井侍の茶畑が持つ独特の気候や立地は、害虫と益虫のバランスを絶妙に保ち、農薬を使わないお茶づくりを可能にしています。

Fresh tea buds

Supreme Lightly Steamed Tea 至高の甘みと余韻「極浅蒸し茶」

Standard deep-steamed teas are processed for 60-180 seconds, but Nakai Samurai's "gokuasa-mushi" method uses only 20 seconds of steaming. This preserves the leaves' beautiful form. When steeped, they open like blossoms, creating a pale yellow-green tea. Experience its delicate aroma, silky mouthfeel, and elegant sweetness with almost no bitterness.

一般的な深蒸し茶は60〜180秒蒸されますが、中井侍銘茶は「極浅蒸し茶」で、蒸し時間はわずか20秒。これにより茶葉の形が保たれ美しく仕上がります。お湯を注ぐとまるで花が咲くようにふわりと広がり、淡い黄緑色の美しいお茶が現れます。柔らかい香りにまろやかな口当たり、そして渋みがほとんどない上品な甘みをお楽しみください。

Pouring beautiful pale green tea into a tea vessel
Tea leaves gently unfurling and floating in hot water

中井侍銘茶 NAKAI
SAMURAI
PREMIUM
TEA

A bottle of tea and an image of the contents being poured into a cup

Freshly
Nakai Samurai
Premium Tea,
anytime. 出来立ての中井侍銘茶を いつでも。

We've sealed the exceptional taste of freshly brewed tea in a special bottle, so you can enjoy this remarkable tea at its best, whenever you like.

中井侍銘茶の出来立ての美味しさをいつでも楽しめるように、特殊なペットボトルに閉じ込めました。

Buy now 購入する

HOW TO DRINK 飲み方

  1. 1

    Open 開ける

    Turn the gray cap in the arrow direction to release the powder. グレーキャップを矢印の方向に回し、
    粉末と内フタを下に落とします

    An illustration of turning a gray cap

  2. 2

    Close 閉める

    Close the gray cap tightly. グレーキャップを
    しっかり閉めます

    An illustration of tightening a gray cap

  3. 3

    Shake 振る

    Shake well, then open and drink. ボトルを上下によく振り、
    グレーキャップを開けてお飲みください

    An illustration of shaking a bottle up and down
A scene of people toasting with Nakai Samurai Premium Tea at the dining table

ONLINE SHOP
HERE ご購入はこちらから

卸販売につきましては株式会社MAKIBITOまでお問い合わせください。

Wholesale inquiries: contact MAKIBITO Inc.