The 21 Platinum Awards for 日本茶AWARD2026 have been decided. The categories were reorganized into 6, with the launch of the Tea Rooted in Local Communities category and the return of gyokuro judging among the highlights. The third-round judging will be open to the public and is scheduled to take place from mid-October to early November 2026.
The annual 日本茶AWARD has reviewed its judging format, reorganizing the categories into six: Refreshing Teas, Mellow Teas, Aromatic Teas, Roasted Teas, Tea Rooted in Local Communities, and Creative. Other notable features include the return of gyokuro judging and the inclusion of post-fermented teas from traditional regional tea producers among the Platinum Award winners. Approximately 20 Platinum Awards are selected in each category.
Examples of Platinum Award winners in each category include ordinary sencha and deep-steamed sencha in Refreshing Teas, kabusecha and sencha tea bags in Mellow Teas, black tea and oolong tea in Aromatic Teas, bancha and post-fermented teas in Tea Rooted in Local Communities, and flavored teas in Creative. The continued prominence of winners from Kyushu has also been noted.
While winners have expressed a desire to raise their national profile, the winning teas are said to have been recognized for their regional character even in the blind judging. The third-round judging will be conducted by public judges and is scheduled to take place from mid-October to early November, with satellite tea-party events also planned in locations across Japan.
Information on TOKYO TEA PARTY2026 was released at the same time. The event will be held from 28 to 29 November 2026 at LIGHT BOX ATELIER. The Japan Tea Grand Prize and Runner-up will be announced during the event, with further details to be provided on the official 日本茶AWARD website.