Yame City in Fukuoka Prefecture is famous for producing what is called the pinnacle of Japanese tea: Gyokuro tea. Taking a stroll through the beautiful Yame Fukushima area you can find many white-walled historic buildings. One of the most famous is a tea store called Yabeya Konomi Honke Konomien, which is a long established tea merchant in Kyushu with a history of more than 300 years! This shop, adjoining factory and storage facilities are all designated as a Yame City Tangible Cultural Property. It might look a little too expensive and high-class outside but inside you will be pleasantly surprised. They have a reasonably priced wide variety of Yame sencha, Yame matcha, Yame dentou hon gyokuro and also stylishly packaged sweets made with Yame tea on offer. The shop is full of amazing and unique produce, it is fun choosing Yame souvenirs in this store!

Our recommendation is 'HOIRO GYOKURO CRUNCH CHOCOLATE' (10 individually wrapped packages). This store kneads high-quality Yame Dentou Hon Gyokuro into white crunchy chocolate. When you first open a package, the full aroma of the gyokuro tea can be enjoyed, then the taste offers an elegant bitterness and richness that are unique to gyokuro and is combined with chocolate that is not too sweet. This divine combination is sure to please people of all ages as a souvenir.

Last but not least, introducing one more delicious treat: 'YAME JAPANESE BLACK TEA CANDY' (30g). In its production, the store uses black tea from Yame. The mellow taste that fills your mouth is accompanied by just the right amount of bitterness. This store offers so many delicious teas and stylish sweets that you will want to buy them all instantly. Please make sure to visit this store when you get the opportunity.