Miyazaki Takachiho Japanese Oolong

This Miyazaki Takachiho Japanese Oolong is both unlike anything we’ve ever come across and also vaguely familiar.

The first aroma is gentle and inviting, with a subtle hint of cinnamon spice, sweet cream, and a touch of gardenia. The most interesting part is after you take the first sip, the tea starts off with notes of corn and fresh greens, similar to good sencha—but without the usual umami or saltiness of Japanese green teas. Then, the flavor quickly transforms into another familiar tea, and suddenly you’re tasting something closer to a Taiwanese oolong, with creamy notes of sweet cream, honeysuckle, and soft, sweet florals, all melting together into a refreshing, sencha-like finish. It’s such a unique balance we honestly haven’t experienced before.

Leo found this tea during his September 2025 trip to Miyazaki, while visiting a small producer who had been experimenting with a variety of Japanese oolong. Since most Japanese farmers only make green tea, he was curious, and pleasantly surprised, to find one that struck this perfect middle ground between Japan and Taiwan.

The tea comes from the highlands of Takachiho, a beautiful mountain area known for its clean air, drifting fog, and big temperature swings between day and night. Farms here are small and hands-on, producing teas that always feel pure and balanced—and this one is no exception.

How to Brew (Gongfu Style)

• 4g tea

• 100ml teapot or gaiwan

• 190°F (88°C) water

• No rinse—brew straight in

• Steep 15 seconds for the first infusion, then 5 seconds for the next few.

• If you accidentally over-brew, the tea won't become bitter, but it will get slightly dryer and won't be able to get as many infusions.

You can get 6-7 infusions, and each one shifts slightly between Japanese freshness and Taiwanese sweetness—a perfect bridge between two tea worlds.