NINJA-EN Ceremonial Matcha
Yame Shaded Matcha. Smooth by nature.
Grown on the volcanic slopes of Yame, Fukuoka, and shaded for up to 28 days before the spring harvest. Chosen by Karen Hashimoto. Shipped from Fukuoka by DHL Express.
- Days of shade before the KAIUN harvest
- 28
- Matcha in one bowl
- 2g
- Water temperature for whisking
- 80°C
- Flat DHL Express shipping, free over $150
- $15
Choose your matcha
Find your perfect shaded matcha.
Three ways to drink it. One tea for each.
Neat & traditional
KAIUN
Whisked with water at 80°C, the way it is served in the tea ceremony. Deep umami and a natural sweetness.
Daily lattes & ice
SEN-RYU
With oat milk, honey, or shaken over ice. A toasted chestnut note that holds its own against milk.
High volume
Bulk pack, 500 g
For a daily habit, private hosting, a small café or the kitchen. Ceremonial quality, without the tin.
Yame terroir
Shaded in the mountain mist of Fukuoka.
Yame, in the hills of southern Fukuoka, is one of Japan's renowned regions for high-grade green tea. Volcanic soils, morning mist and wide swings between day and night temperatures make the leaves grow slowly and build sweetness.
Before the spring harvest, the plants are shaded for up to 28 days, under traditional straw canopies (honzu) for KAIUN. Shade keeps more L-theanine, the amino acid behind matcha's sweet umami, and holds back the catechins that taste bitter.
The curator
A devotion to authentic tea.
NINJA-EN is curated by Karen Hashimoto, Founder & Curator of WAGYU NINJA and Co-CEO of Camjyo Inc. (キャンプ女子株式会社) in Fukuoka. She chooses the teas in the lineup and answers requests herself, so you talk to the person who knows the tea.
Why origin matters.
The word “matcha” on a label does not guarantee shade-grown Japanese tea. NINJA-EN comes from one place, Yame in Fukuoka, and names the cultivar and shading time of every tea it sells.
- CuratorKaren Hashimoto, Founder & Curator, WAGYU NINJA
- CompanyCamjyo Inc. (キャンプ女子株式会社), Co-CEO
- Based inFukuoka, Japan
- LanguagesJapanese (native) · English (fluent)
- First replyWithin 24 hours, by email or WhatsApp
The comparison
Shaded matcha vs. commercial powders.
They share a name, not a craft. Here is the difference.
| Craft | NINJA-EN | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Yame, Fukuoka | Often blended from several regions |
| Shading period | 21 to 28 days | 0 to 7 days, or none |
| Shading method | Straw canopies (honzu) for KAIUN, black canopy for SEN-RYU | Light netting, or no shade |
| Made for | Whisking and drinking as tea | Baking, cooking and sweetened drinks |
| Taste | Sweet umami, low astringency | Astringent, usually needs milk or sugar |
Seasonal allocations
Your fresh spring harvest.
Packed in Yame, shipped from Fukuoka. Two tins, and a bag for daily drinkers.
Premium Ceremonial Grade
KAIUN 開運
$48
The top of the lineup. 100% single-cultivar Saemidori, shaded under straw for 28 days for a luminous green foam, thick sweet umami and very little bitterness.
- Size30 g tin
- Cultivar100% Saemidori
- Shading28 days, traditional straw
- Best forDrinking neat, as usucha
Daily Ceremonial
SEN-RYU 千竜
$38
A balanced blend of first-flush Okumidori and Yabukita, shaded for 21 days. A toasted chestnut aroma and a velvety finish, neat or with milk.
- Size30 g tin
- CultivarOkumidori & Yabukita
- Shading21 days, black canopy
- Best forLattes and iced matcha
Farm Direct
Bulk pack, 500 g
$250
For tea lovers and private cafés. Ceremonial quality Okumidori blend in a 500 g bag. No tin, so more of the price goes into tea: $0.50 per gram.
- Size500 g bag
- CultivarOkumidori blend
- Shading21 days
- Best forDaily drinkers, hosting, cafés
Prices in US dollars per tin or bag. Shipping is $15 flat by DHL Express, free on orders over $150. Import duties and taxes, where they apply, are paid by the buyer.
The producing farms in Yame list all three teas as JAS Organic. The certification belongs to the producer, not to WAGYU NINJA. Ask for a copy of the certificate with your request.
The preparation
The art of the whisk.
Three steps. A brisk wrist, not a whirlpool, makes the foam.
-
一 · 01
Sift & measure
Sift 2 g of matcha, about two scoops of a bamboo chashaku, through a fine sieve into a dry bowl. Sifting breaks up clumps for a smoother foam.
-
二 · 02
Temper the water
Pour 70 ml of hot water cooled to 80°C (176°F). Boiling water scalds the delicate amino acids and brings out bitterness.
-
三 · 03
The wrist motion
Rest the bamboo chasen at the base of the bowl and whisk briskly in a straight W or M pattern. Avoid circular stirring. Stop when a fine foam covers the surface.
Why NINJA-EN
The direct origin promise.
Direct from Yame
We buy from tea farms in Yame directly wherever possible, at prices agreed with the growers. Fewer middlemen, clearer traceability.
Chosen by Karen
Every tea in the lineup is chosen by our curator, Karen Hashimoto, before it is offered here.
One origin
Every NINJA-EN tea is grown in Yame, Fukuoka, so you always know where your matcha comes from.
Fresh to your door
Matcha fades with air, heat and light. Ours is sealed at packing and ships from Fukuoka by DHL Express, typically in 3–7 business days.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
How long does shipping take, and is it tracked?
We ship from Fukuoka, Japan, by DHL Express. Shipping is a flat $15, or free on orders over $150. DHL Express typically delivers in 3–7 business days, and every shipment has a tracking number. Some countries restrict tea imports, so Karen confirms delivery to your country before you pay.
What is the difference between KAIUN and SEN-RYU?
KAIUN is 100% Saemidori, shaded for 28 days under straw canopies, and made for drinking neat. SEN-RYU blends first-flush Okumidori and Yabukita, shaded for 21 days, with a toasted chestnut note that stands up to milk and ice.
Is your matcha certified organic?
The producing farms in Yame list these teas as JAS Organic (Japanese Agricultural Standards). The certification is held by the producer, not by WAGYU NINJA. If organic status matters for your use, ask for a copy of the producer's certificate when you send your request.
Why is Yame matcha more expensive than mass-market brands?
Shading tea plants for 21 to 28 days takes extra labor and lowers the yield, and ceremonial grades use only the young spring leaves. Straw canopies take even more work than synthetic nets. The reward is more L-theanine in the leaf and a sweeter, rounder cup.
How do I pay?
Nothing is charged on this page. Send a request and Karen replies by email within 24 hours to confirm availability and shipping, with a confirmed total within 24–48 hours. You can pay by PayPal, credit card or bank transfer. Your order ships once payment is received.
Can I set up a recurring order?
Yes, by email. Tell Karen how often you would like tins in your request, and she confirms each shipment and its payment before it leaves Fukuoka. Nothing renews or charges automatically, so you can pause or stop at any time.
Do you sell matcha wholesale?
Yes. Cafés, retailers and brands buying by the kilogram can see grades, sample kits and volume pricing on Wholesale Matcha.
Order request
Request your tins.
Karen confirms availability, shipping and payment by email. First reply within 24 hours.
- KAIUN$48 · 30 g tin
- SEN-RYU$38 · 30 g tin
- Bulk pack$250 · 500 g bag
- Shipping$15 flat by DHL Express, free over $150
- PaymentPayPal, credit card or bank transfer, after Karen confirms