A cultivar for sencha, Sayama-kaori was selected from a Yabukita seed in Saitama and registered in 1971. Sayama-kaori has lost some popularity in recent years, but it is one of the few varieties that have spread across all of Japan. Its resilience and good yield once made it a success, but its dark colour and astringency have caused it to lose some of its former glory. However, its astringency is part of its charm, along with its stimulating characteristic fragrance. Time of harvest: mid-season.