Genuine Marukyu Koyamaen Matcha: Our Sourcing & Packaging Guide
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Luna Matcha is an authorized U.S. importer and retailer of Marukyu Koyamaen products. We source our tea directly from Marukyu Koyamaen in Uji, Japan.
Knowing where your matcha comes from matters. So does understanding what packaging canโand cannotโtell you. This guide explains our sourcing, links to the manufacturerโs notices, and helps you check an unfamiliar package without relying on a single visual detail.
Our sourcing commitment
Our Marukyu Koyamaen inventory comes through our direct business relationship with the producer, rather than purchases from third-party resale listings. We fulfill orders from Los Angeles and also operate a retail location at LUNE NOIR in Sawtelle.
When you buy from Luna Matcha, you have a store to contact about the product you received. If you have a question about a label, package, or best-before marking, send us your order details and photographs so we can look into it.
What Marukyu Koyamaenโs official notices explain
Counterfeit products
In its July 19, 2025 notice, Marukyu Koyamaen reported imitation products sold online, including 100 g bags labeled Isuzu, Aoarashi, and Wakatake. The notice flags unusually low prices and suspicious packaging or date markings as reasons for caution. These are examples from that announcement, not a complete list of every possible counterfeit.
Read the official counterfeit-product warning โ
Unauthorized resellers and purchasing services
The manufacturer separately publishes a list of unauthorized resellers and proxy purchasing services. It states that it does not directly supply the listed third parties for redistribution and does not accept responsibility for problems with purchases through those channels.
An unauthorized sales channel and a counterfeit product are different issues. Inclusion on that list alone does not establish that every item sold by a business is counterfeit. Likewise, absence from the list does not prove that a seller is authorized.
Check the manufacturerโs current unauthorized-reseller notice โ
Use the linked notice for the latest information rather than relying on a copied list or an old screenshot.
Why genuine matcha bags can look different
Seal patterns and best-before printing
Marukyu Koyamaenโs bag-specification notice explains that it uses both semi-automatic and automatic packing machines. The illustrated bags differ in the heat-sealed opening and the location of the best-before printing. The manufacturer identifies both examples as products from its own factories.
A different seal pattern or date position, by itself, is not proof of a fake. Compare the relevant package with the manufacturerโs explanation, and ask about anything you cannot reconcile. Matching one feature is not sufficient to authenticate a product either.
See the official bag-specification explanation and comparison images โ
What about QR-code stickers?
Do not treat a QR sticker as a universal requirement for genuine Marukyu Koyamaen matcha. The manufacturerโs former verification system was introduced for certain Asian markets. Its QR-sticker service ended on December 31, 2025, and the manufacturer has announced the systemโs discontinuation.
Read the official verification-system closure notice โ
A missing sticker or an old code that no longer works is not, on its own, a counterfeit verdict. Follow current manufacturer guidance and consider the source of the purchase.
A practical buying checklist
- Identify the seller. Look for clear business details and a way to contact the store about your order.
- Ask about sourcing. A familiar logo or a photograph of a tin does not explain how a seller obtained it.
- Compare the same product and size. A bag and a tin are different packages; check the named blend and weight before comparing photographs.
- Keep the purchase record. Your receipt, order confirmation, and original packaging make follow-up easier.
- Check concerns before using the tea. If a seal appears compromised or the contents seem abnormal, set the product aside and contact the seller.
Authenticity, freshness, and personal taste are separate questions. A change in flavor alone does not identify a counterfeit, and genuine tea still requires appropriate storage and handling. Follow the storage instructions provided with your product.
Have a question about a Luna Matcha order?
Please send us:
- Your order number and the product name.
- Clear photographs of the front, back, seal, and date or lot markings.
- A short description of your concern and whether the package has been opened.
Keep the packaging while we review the details. We can investigate products purchased from us; we cannot conclusively authenticate another sellerโs product from a photograph alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luna Matcha an authorized Marukyu Koyamaen retailer?
Yes. We are an authorized U.S. importer and retailer and source our Marukyu Koyamaen tea directly from the producer.
Is a different best-before stamp a sign of counterfeit matcha?
Not necessarily. The producer documents legitimate differences caused by its packing equipment. Check the official comparison and contact your seller if you remain unsure.
Can color, price, or packaging alone prove authenticity?
No single visual feature or price point is conclusive. Start with the sellerโs sourcing and the manufacturerโs guidance, then investigate any specific concern.
Explore Marukyu Koyamaen at Luna Matcha
Choose a matcha for your preferred preparation, from everyday lattes to tea whisked with water.