About Dobashien
In 1892, Dobashien’s founder Tetsugoro Dobashi established a small tea shop in a quiet residential district on the outskirts of Tokyo. As the city expanded, the area known as Akasaka-Mitsuke became one of the city’s elite districts with ryotei, luxury Japanese restaurants, hosting meetings between powerful politicians. At these ryotei, only the best tea leaves from Shizuoka and other parts of Japan are served.
Greetings from Takeo Dobashi
Dobashien has been serving the highest quality leaves from it’s main shop on Hitotsubashi Avenue since 1892. The 121-year history of the company has seen it through the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1925, the bombing of Tokyo during World War II, and many other historical moments. Thanks to the patronage of Tokyo’s tea-loving residents, we have been able to walk the path of tea as Akasaka and Tokyo’s premier tea company.
In 1967, Dobashien became one of the first companies to begin distributing tea dispensing machines. For company workers who spend all day in their offices, easy access to delicious Japanese green tea served as a refreshing break. We believe that a cup of tea served hot or cold every day leads to a richer, more relaxing work environment and lifestyle.
Tea is filled with nutrition, contributing to the good health of Japanese since ancient times. However, in recent times, forcing (cultivation using artificial light or heat) has resulted in an increase in the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in the cultivation of tea. We at Dobashien want our customers to be confident that the tea they drink is safe, so we make it a point to ensure that our tea leaves have high traceability in their production.
In order to allow as many people as possible,
To enjoy safe, quality tea,
And in order to create a richer life,
We will become your cultural ambassador for food.
Tea, as an integral part of the traditions of Japan, offers consumers a chance to enjoy a better, healthier life. Offering this to our customers as we show them how to enjoy Japanese tea is our small contribution to the development of a rich tea culture.