Tea Factory Gen(ティー ファクトリー ゲン)

Commitment to Fertilizer-Free, Pesticide-Free, and Fully Integrated Tea Production

TEA FACTORY GEN was established in the spring of 2016 in Sera Highlands, Hiroshima.
With a firm commitment to fertilizer-free and pesticide-free cultivation, they embrace a tea-making philosophy rooted in nature and tradition.
From the revitalization of tea fields to cultivation, processing, packaging, and sales, every step is managed in-house.

They focus on their “Hiroshima Zairai Tea” series, made using traditional native tea varieties grown in the rich natural environment of Sera Highlands, located about 400 meters above sea level and known for its dramatic temperature differences.
In this region—once renowned for producing high-quality “Sera-cha”—they discovered native tea fields in 2016 and a 70-year-old tea factory in 2019, marking the start of full-scale native tea production.

The tea leaves are harvested from trees aged 60 to 70 years, with roots that stretch over two meters deep to absorb abundant minerals from the soil.
Because the tea is grown without fertilizers or pesticides, it may have less of the typical “umami” found in gyokuro, but it offers the land’s natural energy, gentle sweetness, and a refreshing, pure flavor.

A Diverse Range of Conceptual Teas

In addition to their signature native green tea (Zairai Seicha), TEA FACTORY GEN offers a variety of unique teas, each with its own concept and character.

These include “Hama-cha,” sun-dried on the beach for a week to capture the subtle scent of the sea;
“Seicha,” a green tea with a rich aroma developed through withering—a fermentation process rarely used in sencha;
as well as fully fermented Japanese black tea, semi-fermented oolong tea, lightly fermented white tea, and “Chabana-cha,” a blend of tea flowers and sencha, made possible by fertilizer-free cultivation.

Depending on the condition of the leaves, they skillfully combine handcraft and machinery, selecting the optimal processing methods to maximize the unique character of their native tea.
They also operate a tea stand, where they serve not only their own tea but also carefully selected teas from tea farmers across Japan.
Their goal is to bring tea into daily life—making it more accessible, more familiar.

Their Story and Mission

The connection began when TEA FACTORY GEN’s owner, Mr. Takahashi, visited our Seattle shop that specializes in ceramic works.
A conversation about Japanese tea with our staff, who recalled a past visit from a tea producer in Hiroshima, sparked the relationship and led to our collaboration.
The tea gifted during that visit left a lasting impression—so much so that our staff still personally imports it to this day.

TEA FACTORY GEN aims to offer what they call the “Ultimate Everyday Tea.”
It’s the kind of tea you never tire of—comforting, familiar, and occasionally surprising, bringing moments of discovery and delight.
By producing tea in harmony with nature’s cycles, they hope to support the livelihoods of farmers and producers, while offering consumers safety, peace of mind, and rich, genuine flavor.
Their mission is to deliver not just a beverage, but a sense of spiritual richness to people in Japan and around the world.