As winter settles over Japan and the air turns crisp, many travelers reach for warm comfort wherever they can find it. If you’re a matcha lover (or even matcha-curious), you’ll be happy to know that the chilly months make this iconic green tea even more enjoyable. From steaming drinks in cozy cafés to seasonal sweets in local shops, matcha becomes one of the most comforting flavors of the season. Whether you’re wandering through snowy temples, browsing holiday markets, or simply warming up indoors, here are the best matcha drinks, treats, and snacks to explore this winter.
What is matcha?
Matcha has long been woven into the fabric of Japanese culture, but its story begins centuries ago. Zen Buddhist monks first encountered powdered green tea in China and brought tea seeds back to Japan, planting them in what is now the famous Uji region of Kyoto. Over time, the practice evolved from brewing leaves to grinding them into a fine powder, a process that demanded both care and precision.
Tea plantation around Mt. Fuji – Photo Credit: Sean Pavone
Eventually, matcha became central to the Japanese tea ceremony, a ritual built around harmony, respect, and stillness. Today, whether enjoyed traditionally or folded into modern creations, matcha still carries that sense of mindfulness and hospitality. And in winter, its warmth and depth take on an even more comforting meaning.
Why matcha is so special: Health benefits & craftsmanship
Before diving into winter drinks, it helps to understand why matcha is considered such a powerful (and premium) tea. Unlike regular green tea, matcha leaves are shade-grown for several weeks before harvest. This method boosts chlorophyll levels, enhances natural sweetness, and increases beneficial compounds like L-theanine and catechins, both known for their antioxidant properties.
Making matcha – Photo Credit: Maitnee Duangphet
Since you consume the whole leaf, matcha is richer in nutrients than regular teas and provides a smoother, steadier energy boost than coffee. Its price also reflects the craftsmanship behind it: after harvesting, tea leaves are carefully steamed, dried, and stone-milled at a slow speed to prevent oxidation or burning. Each step requires precision, tradition, and skill.
Hot matcha drinks
Traditional matcha latte
A beloved winter staple, a warm matcha latte is smooth, velvety, and soothing; perfect after a long day of sightseeing in the cold. Cafés across Japan put their own spin on this classic: some keep it light and earthy, others create richer, creamier versions. Either way, it’s a reliable winter companion.
Matcha latte with swan – Photo Credit: PhilipYb Studio
Matcha hot chocolate
For travelers craving something sweeter, a matcha hot chocolate is a must-try. This cozy drink blends creamy hot cocoa with the subtle bitterness of matcha, creating a rich and warming treat. It’s especially popular at cafés during winter, and you’ll often find seasonal versions topped with whipped cream or matcha powder.
Matcha hot chocolate – Photo Credit: Need Swanya
Seasonal store-bought matcha drinks
If you’re exploring on the go, Japan’s convenience stores and beverage aisles are treasure troves of limited-edition winter drinks. You’ll find warm canned lattes, bottled blends with winter packaging, and special holiday releases that appear only for a short time. These make great quick warm-ups while you’re strolling through winter streets.
Where to find these winter specials:
Nakamura Toukichi (Main store): offers matcha jelly parfaits, matcha soba, and much more!
Address: Ichiban-10 Uji, Kyoto 611-0021
Website: https://tokichi.jp/en?srsltid=AfmBOoq6pgJI8KMGtDZ-kJBAok4CUCSQFlcwQcuNzBvVqugGtn0wl6jo
Itohkyuemon: This store offers a range of matcha sweets from matcha chestnut pie to matcha chocolate tarts.
Address: Aramaki-19-3 Todo, Uji, Kyoto 611-0013
The Matcha Tokyo: This shop has creative matcha drinks (like the matcha coconut float or matcha lemonade) made with organic matcha.
Address: 5 Chome-11-13 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001
Website: https://www.the-matcha.tokyo/en
Matcha sweets and snacks
Cookies, cakes, and mochi
Winter is the perfect season to indulge in matcha desserts, and you’ll find plenty of delicious options in shops across Japan. From soft matcha cookies and rich matcha cakes to chewy matcha mochi, these treats offer a wonderful balance of sweetness and earthy depth. Many bakeries and confectionery shops release seasonal versions during winter, sometimes adding white chocolate, chestnut, or red bean for a festive twist.
Matcha cakes – Photo Credit: Chuangxin Zhou
Popular packaged snacks
Japan’s packaged snacks are famous for their creativity, and matcha versions are everywhere. Matcha KitKats are a must-try, but you’ll also find matcha biscuits, wafers, chocolates, and rice crackers in convenience stores and souvenir shops. These treats make great gifts…if you can resist eating them yourself while traveling.
Pocky matcha – Photo Credit: Samuel Ponce
Some popular brands include:
- Bokksu has everything Matcha, from chocolate to paste to sweets.
- Kokoro Cares has a curated selection of Japanese Matcha products and recipes.
- Konibini Shop offers Japanese matcha products, such as the famous Pocky Kasane Matcha and Kitkat Rich Matcha.
- Japan Snack Mate has a “Matcha Lovers Box” that features 10-15 premium matcha snacks curated from Japan.
Hot matcha during winter – Photo Credit: Sav_an_dreas
Whether you’re sipping a cozy winter drink, wandering through Tokyo in search of the perfect matcha treat, or bringing home a box of your favorite snacks, matcha has a way of making the season feel more comforting and meaningful. Its deep cultural roots, thoughtful craftsmanship, and delicious flavors come together especially beautifully during Japan’s colder months.
If you’re curious to learn more about how matcha is grown, produced, and cherished in Japan, don’t miss our interview with Japanese tea producers James and Natsumi Osada, where they share insights into traditional techniques and the passion behind their craft.
Featured Photo Credit: In Green
