Well, I had similar experience with gyokuro from Asatsuyu cultivar. It had more bitterness, but it became extremely juicy sweet afterwards with clear notes of a lime. That was the best gyokuro I have ever had.
I deliberately try sometimes to overbrew Japanese teas at the last steeps (4-7th) and sometimes they just come out super-awesome punchy, and not too adstringend/bitter. Almost fresh Sheng-Puer like. Don´t be afraid to try that, a good Japanese tea sure can be finnicky, but they also have so much to offer, if one dares to derive from the recommended paths.
for some reason I can't order any tea from your site any more. its been going on for a year now. payments will just not go through even from different banks.