Oshogatsu-yo Tokusen Daifuku (お正月用特選大福) – New Year Limited Edition is a premium ceremonial-grade koicha matcha created exclusively for the Japanese New Year celebration by Kanbayashi Shunsho, the legendary 15-generation tea house from Uji, Kyoto with over 460 years of unbroken heritage. This elevated seasonal blend—the higher grade companion to Oshogatsuyo Daifuku—delivers a full-bodied, indulgent thick tea experience where spoiling creamy sweetness follows initial pleasant bitterness, while signature Kanbayashi toasty-nutty notes of walnut and sweet cashew create a dessert-like character worth savoring sip by sip during the auspicious New Year season.

The Obukucha (Daifukucha) Tradition:

Daifukucha (大福茶), also known as Ōbukucha, carries over 1,000 years of tradition dating back to 951 AD. During a devastating epidemic in Kyoto, Buddhist priest Kūya distributed special tea to help people recover. Emperor Murakami drank this tea at New Year and was cured, establishing the custom of drinking "Good Fortune Tea" (Daifuku) on the first days of the year for health and prosperity. Originally spelled 皇服茶 (the tea the Emperor drinks), it evolved into 大福茶 (great fortune tea), symbolizing wishes for happiness and good health in the coming year. Tokusen ("special selection") Daifuku represents the premium expression of this sacred tradition—a more refined, luxurious tea for the most important holiday in Japanese culture.

Why This Premium Limited Edition Matcha:

• Koicha-Grade Sophistication: Full-bodied thick tea designed for slow, meditative sipping—each bowl offers a complete sensory journey from pleasant initial bitterness through creamy sweetness to toasty-nutty finish, embodying the depth and complexity befitting New Year celebration.
• Perfect for: Koicha thick tea ceremony, New Year gift-giving for tea enthusiasts, special celebrations (Oshogatsu), experienced matcha drinkers seeking indulgent character, premium usucha when prepared lighter, and anyone honoring over 1,000 years of Daifukucha tradition with elevated refinement.
• Dessert-Like Indulgence: Creamy-custardy character with walnut and sweet cashew notes—spoiling creamy sweetness that makes this matcha feel like savoring a rich dessert, perfect for the festive season when families gather to celebrate renewal and good fortune.
• Signature Kanbayashi Character Elevated: The distinctive toasty-nutty profile that defines Kanbayashi Shunsho, elevated to koicha-grade refinement—light toasty-nutty notes always present in the background, creating the gentle, sweet character beloved by those seeking softer Uji matcha.
• Dual Preparation Excellence: Shines as traditional koicha where full complexity unfolds, yet transforms beautifully as lighter-bodied usucha where walnutty cashew notes take center stage with zero bitterness—versatile for both formal tea ceremony and relaxed enjoyment.
• Genuinely Festive Experience: Crafted specifically to honor Oshōgatsu—Japan's most sacred holiday—this matcha embodies celebration, bringing wishes of prosperity, health, and happiness in elegant 40g packaging that makes meaningful New Year gifts.
• 460+ Years of Tea Mastery: From Kanbayashi Shunshō, established around 1560—the only surviving descendant of Uji tea masters who served as "Gomotsu Ochashi" (highest rank) to the Tokugawa shogunate, delivering premium tea to feudal lords and shaping Japanese tea culture.
• Seasonal Ultra-Limited Availability: Released exclusively from early December through late January—even more limited than the usucha-grade Daifuku, making this a rare opportunity to experience Kanbayashi's premium New Year expression while winter stocks last.
• Perfect for Tea Break Amidst New Year Bustle: Creamy, mellow, and relaxing—designed for peaceful moments during the busy holiday season when families need grounding ritual, offering calm luxury that contrasts with festive activity.