Buddhist monks Gyoki, Saicho and others, who went studying to China at Nara-Heian period, imported the green tea to Japan. The first tea in Japan is believed to be planted by Gyoki in 748 at Nara period. And at Heian period, Saicho launched the first tea garden at the foot of holy mountain Hedzan in 801-805.

However tea was widely spread only in XII century. At Kamakura period a Buddhist monk Eisai, which had imported tea plant from China in 1191, started developing this culture. Tea became the institution of Buddhist ceremony, it was offered to Buddha and was drunk during religious rituals. Eisai wrought in his book "About tea profit to one's health" that this drink is a magic bullet for health support and prolongation of life. Green tea of that period was similar to the one that is called macha, and it really was used medicamentally. Another Buddhist monk Dogen also forwarded tea culture development in Japan.

At Edo period, green tea pulverized Japan finally. Its cultivation began all over the country, and tea ceremonies became popular among ordinary people as well.

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