Packaging & Tool Design for Kyoto’s Historic “Ippodo” Tea

Overview

Ippodo Tea is a specialty Japanese tea shop with a 300-year history, based in Kyoto.

As part of their branding, we designed packaging for both their signature products and seasonal offerings, as well as shipping materials sent to customers around the world.

The designs capture a balance of warmth and refined elegance, reflecting Ippodo’s unique presence.

Premium Gyokuro・Premium Sencha

This tea is so rare that it cannot be carried at all Ippodo stores. It is less of a “product” and more of a “work of art.”

For this special tea, we designed packaging for its premium line, which is priced higher than Ippodo’s regular offerings.

Shincha・Obukucha

We designed the packaging for Ippodo’s seasonal teas, “Shincha”(new harvest tea) and “Obukucha”(New Year’s tea).

For “Shincha”, we used a fresh and vibrant shade of green to capture the lively, youthful character of the young leaves. The design expresses the special, hand-selected quality of this tea, along with its delicate aroma and flavor.

For “Obukucha”, a tea traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Day to ward off bad luck and celebrate the year ahead, we created a design with an auspicious and festive presence, reflecting the spirit of the occasion.

Gift Package

As part of a holiday season gift collection, we designed a special gift package that includes a selection of all types of Japanese tea offered by Ippodo.

The gift set is available at Ippodo Tea’s New York store and through its international online store.

This packaging was designed to appeal to international customers with a high sense of aesthetics and appreciation for refined design. By including five different types of Japanese tea, the goal is to share the depth and variety of Japanese tea culture while encouraging customers to enjoy it in a more casual and approachable way.