Tea-flavored rice gruel in Nara got its start in the "Toki" served in monk's quarters. When Nara Prefecture was still "Yamato" province, this food spread among the local populace and those of neighboring domains. Today, it is a signature taste of old Nara.

Ancient Nara had a deep connection to tea, and the area is called the "birthplace" of tea.
Zen priest "Eisai", who brought tea from China to Japan in the "Kamakura" era, sought to restore "Toudai-ji" temple through "Daikanjinshoku"; Saint "Myoe", who first planted tea in Japan at "Kyoto Kosan-ji" temple, worked towards Japanese Southern Buddhism denomination. Saint Eison"", at "Saidai-ji" temple, took the teachings of both and promoted tea throughout "Yamato" and various branch temples. Many famous tea estates in "Uji" and elsewhere come from the "Matsuji" tea garden above. (Huge tea party at "Saidai-ji" temple is performed in honor of Saint "Eison".)

Juko Murata, who came out of "Kofuku-ji"'s branch temples, traveled to the imperial capital of Kyoto and established a tea school, being recognized as one of the greats of tea.

Tea rice gruel is rich in the traditions of old Nara, the spiritual home of tea. However, it is eaten less and less, owed to today's changing diets. At Tounochaya, we preserve the elegant simplicity of this traditional dish, passed down over the generations, and seek to promote it as a signature dish of our hometown.

Tounochaya's clean-tasting and delicious tea rice gruel is one you must try at home.

-- With compliments from the owner.