Located in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, a region famed for its tea cultivation, Maru Shichi Seicha Co., Ltd. (hereunder abbreviated as “Maru Shichi Seicha”), is a purveyor of fine teas across Japan.
Since its humble beginnings in 1907, Maru Shichi Seicha has transcended the traditional role of a tea cultivator. The company cherishes every aspect of tea’s journey, from the tender care of budding leaves to the meticulous crafting of finished products, all driven by the ambition of delivering a cup of “truly exquisite tea” to their clientele.
Their array of teas covers a wide range of price points, offering options from budget-friendly choices at several hundred yen to luxurious selections surpassing 10,000 JPY. Regardless of the tag, a hallmark of high-quality taste resonates through every sip.
Inside Nanaya Aoyama Branch, you can also purchase Maru Shichi Seicha’s teas as well as sweets
The essence of Maru Shichi Seicha’s premium tea has found its way into the heart of Shibuya, at “Nanaya Aoyama Branch” (referred hereafter as “Nanaya”), where patrons can indulge in gelato infused with their matcha.
Umami bites writer Bensky embarked on a flavorful excursion to Nanaya in pursuit of scrumptious matcha gelato.
Indulging in Nanaya’s specialty, “the world’s richest matcha gelato”
At Nanaya, they use high-grade matcha from Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, for their matcha gelato. It has distinctive, rich matcha aroma which is irresistible for matcha lovers.
Nanaya’s matcha gelato is divided into seven levels of intensity, ranging from “No.1” with a subtle matcha flavor to the intensely rich “No.7.”
Especially popular is the No.7, touted by Nanaya as the “world’s richest matcha gelato.” Just from its deep green appearance, you can imagine how concentrated it must be.
“抹茶No.7（コーン）,” Matcha No. 7 (cone) 650 JPY (tax included)
With a penchant for sweets made with green tea, Bensky promptly ordered the No.7.
He settled on a bench outside the store, and with a contented smile, began enjoying each scoop of the intensely delicious matcha gelato.
Having heard it’s labeled the “world’s richest,” I had my reservations about it being too bitter before digging in… But it’s really easy on the palate! There’s a nice bitterness that’s surprising! The gentle aroma made it feel like I was munching on a high-end sweet.
Even Bensky, who has had his fair share of matcha sweets, was taken aback, remarking, “I’ve never had matcha this rich before!”
He polished it off in no time.
Savoring the popular roasted green tea gelato
At Nanaya, gelato flavors extend beyond just matcha.
From flavors like “milk”—a classic in Japan—to distinctive tea-infused creations such as “roasted green tea” (which some of our readers may know as hōjicha in Japanese) and “Japanese black tea”, there’s a broad spectrum of flavors to delight in.
After thoroughly enjoying the No.7, Bensky was curious to try another tea-flavored gelato from Nanaya’s lineup. After some consideration, he decided to go for the roasted green tea gelato next.
“ほうじ茶（カップ）,” Roasted green tea (cup) 420 JPY (tax included)
This gelato has a wonderful toasty aroma and it’s so representative of Japan! Also, it’s not too sweet, so even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, you’ll enjoy it.
This gelato with its toasty flavor, made with tea sourced from Shizuoka Prefecture, has garnered a fan following at Nanaya, where customers often pair it with the “No.7.”
Bensky was thoroughly satisfied with it.
Bensky discovers black sesame gelato bliss
Rejuvenated by his gelato experience, Bensky returned to the shop, his sweet tooth guiding the way. After sampling the “No.7” and roasted green tea flavors, he set his sights on the black sesame gelato.
“黒ゴマ（カップ）,” Black sesame (cup) 420 JPY (tax included)
Wow, it’s just like eating pure sesame! I could really taste the authentic flavor of black sesame seeds.
Bensky was thoroughly enamored with the rich sesame taste. Nanaya’s black sesame gelato aims to offer an intense flavor, much like their matcha gelato. According to Bensky, it was a sweeter experience than the tea-infused flavors. Its smooth texture is an added delight.
With so many varieties of delicious gelato to sample at Nanaya, you’re sure to have a fun time if you bring your friends and share!
Gelato today, souvenirs tomorrow: exceptional tea and chocolate
At Nanaya, you can find an array of tea and matcha-based products from Maru Shichi Seicha, perfect for gifting. After enjoying his gelato, Bensky was keen on selecting souvenirs for his family.
A broad range of Japanese tea options
One particular standout is the tea called Rakuen, also featured in a Michelin-starred restaurant. It utilizes a rare tea leaf variety known as Fujikaori, offering a fragrance reminiscent of wisteria blossoms.
An array of products in the gift corner
For the green tea aficionado on the go, bottled options are available. The Chatsumi no Asazuki Ryokucha offers a delicate umami, while the Taiyō to Kaze Kaoru Ryokucha brings a robust roasted flavor. These are not only ideal gifts but also excellent for personal enjoyment.
Among Nanaya’s products, the “Premium Matcha 7” chocolate is a stand-out.
This special set includes seven chocolates with varying degrees of matcha richness, along with two hōjicha variants. It’s an adventure for your taste buds, ranging from intense matcha flavors to sweeter options.
Wrapping up his visit, Bensky assured the store clerk that he would “definitely return,” already contemplating his next gelato selection.
Why not make your way to Nanaya and discover their gelato flavors for yourself?
Information
| Store name | ななや青山店 Nanaya Aoyama |
|---|---|
| Address | Isono Aoyma Building 1F, 2-7-12 Shibuya-ku, Shibuya, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Shibuya Station（SBY）9-minute walk from Shibuya Station Miyamasuzaka Exit
|
| Phone number | 03-6427-9008 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | 11:00-19:00（last order） |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Seating | None 9 bench seats in front of the store |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://nanaya-matcha.com/ |
| Other information |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of October 2023.
