Located behind the Kannon statue at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Suzukien Asakusa Main Store is a tea wholesaler. They stock a wide variety of high-quality tea leaves sourced from domestic tea farmers according to their own standards, and are a long-established store that local residents trust completely, saying, "You can't go wrong with Suzukien."

The shop's signature product, which has gained immense popularity, is the "World's Strongest Matcha Gelato," which allows you to fully enjoy the rich flavor of matcha. People from overseas continue to flock to the shop in search of its taste.

Beyond gelato, Suzukien continues to propose diverse ways to enjoy tea in line with the times, such as selling drinks that combine Japanese sweets and original matcha confections. At the heart of this is a strong belief that "Japanese tea culture must not be allowed to decline."

Authentic matcha gelato made by a long-established tea shop.

This matcha gelato was first sold in 2016. Its most distinctive feature is that you can choose from seven levels of matcha concentration. It uses matcha from Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, which has a clean and refreshing flavor, and the strength of the matcha is adjusted by changing the blend.

Among their offerings, the most beloved and signature product is the richest gelato, number 7. It became a sensation on social media as "the world's richest matcha gelato" and is so popular that it's even featured in guidebooks for foreign tourists.

Deputy manager Mana Yamada describes the taste as, "It's simply 'intense!'" She smiles and adds, "We don't add anything unnecessary, so when you take a sip, the aroma of matcha gently fills your nose."

This product generously uses high-grade matcha from Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture, which has won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award. A key feature is that you can enjoy not only the characteristic flavor of matcha, but also the inherent deliciousness of the tea leaves, including their astringency and bitterness.

Numbers 1 through 3 offer a strong balance of sweetness and milkiness, while number 4, with its exquisite balance of bitterness, is said to be popular with both Japanese and foreigners. Numbers 5 and 6 have a deeper matcha color and allow you to fully enjoy their rich flavor.

"I recommend trying different concentrations and comparing the tastes."

With the changing times, the number of local tea shops has decreased.

The history of "Suzukien" began around 1848 (Kaei 1), when the founder traveled around selling tea leaves from Asakusa to Senju and Minami-Katsushika district. His honest business practices were so well-regarded that he was even celebrated in a song: "Color, taste, and aroma, with a single word of sincerity, Suzukien, the tea house of Edo."

Sales continued to grow steadily, but in the late Showa period, customer behavior began to change. More people started buying tea leaves at department stores and supermarkets, and the number of tea leaf shops in towns gradually decreased.

To preserve traditional culture, I'm taking on the challenge of making matcha sweets.

With more and more young people having never even owned a teapot or kettle, and the custom of enjoying tea gradually disappearing, what can we, who know the charm of tea, do?

While the president and all employees pondered the matter, they decided to take on the challenge of creating matcha sweets as a new move. With the global matcha boom, matcha specialty shops and cafes were popping up one after another in Asakusa. In the midst of this highly competitive environment, they decided to restart as a traditional tea wholesaler and sweets shop.

"We want to offer opportunities for people to experience tea culture in various forms and ways," says Yamada. Every word she speaks is filled with deep love and respect for tea.

While cherishing the business that has been passed down through generations, they are not overly bound by it, but instead adapt their methods to the times and continue the culture of tea. As a result of venturing into new business models with this flexible approach, they were able to launch "The World's Strongest Matcha Gelato," a hugely successful matcha sweet.

"We believe that helping people realize the enjoyment, richness, and depth of tea will ultimately lead to increased tea consumption, benefiting retailers, wholesalers, and tea-producing regions alike."

We are also focusing on developing new menu items.

Suzukien is dedicated to conveying the charm of tea while making the most of its matcha sweets. To cater to those who don't like matcha, they have also expanded their gelato lineup. In addition to genmaicha, hojicha, and Japanese black tea, their limited-edition flavors using seasonal vegetables and fruits are also popular.

New products other than gelato are also being introduced one after another. One of the popular items is dango (rice dumplings) that allows you to enjoy four different types of matcha bean paste with varying concentrations at once. The sweetness is subtle, and it is attracting attention in particular from foreign tourists who want to "taste traditional Japanese sweets."

The "Warabi Mochi Milk" drink, which contains warabi mochi (bracken starch jelly), is very popular with young people and is perfect for enjoying while sightseeing in Asakusa. The "One-Bite Matcha Sable" and "One-Bite Hojicha Sable" have a crumbly texture that is addictive, and are exquisite treats that allow you to fully enjoy the fresh flavor of tea.

With pride in being a tea shop, we will continue to take on challenges.

"Tea is good for health and beauty, so I hope that people will discover the charm of Japanese tea through our matcha gelato," says Yamada.

The shop offers a wide selection of high-quality tea leaves, primarily from Shizuoka Prefecture, including Uji matcha and Yame matcha, as well as tea utensils used in the tea ceremony. One of Suzukien's strengths is its high-quality customer service provided by knowledgeable staff who are passionate about tea. Mr. Yamada himself left the hotel industry because of his love for matcha.

Suzukien continues to move forward with unwavering conviction, preserving a culture that is a source of pride for Japan. The essence of the tea culture built in Asakusa will surely be passed on to the future through the challenges of this long-established shop, which possesses a deep love for tea and a sense of responsibility and pride as its successor.

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壽々喜園 浅草本店
電話：03-3873-0311
住所：東京都台東区浅草 3-4-3
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