Photo= "Bi-Hi-Cha" produced by Sennyuji Temple

In connection with the legend of Yang Guifei's favorite tea, Sennyuji Temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, in which the "Yokihi Kannon," or a Buddhist deity of the Empress Yang Guifei in the Tang Period and known as "Yokihi" in Japan, is enshrined, has produced an original tea with lychee flavor. The tea's name, "Bi-Hi-Cha," means "beautiful- empress- tea," respectively, in Chinese characters.

The temple owns the statue "Yokihi Kannon-zo," which was imported from China during the Southern Sung Dynasty, so it is known as a temple for beauty. It is said that in order to keep her looks, Yang Guifei drank a cup of tea which had lychee fruit in it every day.

"Bi-Hi-Cha" is tea seasoned with natural lychee flavor and has a delicate taste with a fruity flavor. A temple spokesperson said, "We hope people enjoy a graceful teatime associated with a woman of great beauty." A pack of ten tea bags will be available for 1,200 yen at the temple from November 4.