Shizuoka, Home of Green Tea

Shizuoka, Home of Green Tea

Approximately 40% of Japan’s green tea is produced in Shizuoka and has been since 1241, when a Japanese monk from the Kamakura period sowed some seeds he’d picked up on a pilgrimage to China and started a beverage revolution. Thanks to Shizuoka’s mild climate and the evenness of its plateaus, its tea plantations thrived, resulting in continually large yields of rich tea leaves with a distinct local flavour. Things reached fever pitch when the economic potential of the region’s tea was recognized and capitalized upon in the 19th century. Conveniently located near major ports in Yokohama and Nagoya, Shizuoka’s tea plantations quickly spread their product throughout Japan and overseas.

Shizuoka, Home of Green Tea

Even within Shizuoka, different regions mean different varieties of green tea. Shizuoka City is only 30 kilometres from Mt. Fuji, whose past eruptions have created areas of mineral-rich soil. Microclimates can greatly affect the flavour of tea, and the strength of the sun, duration of the morning mist, and the amount and frequency of precipitation all subtly influence the final crop. Each plantation has its own advantages and challenges and adjusts its cultivation process to grow the best possible tea plants. Why not see for yourself? Curious visitors can book a tour at local plantations like Imamiya, Obuchi Sasaba, and Grinpia to tour the fields and try fresh sencha, genmaicha, hojicha, and matcha only steps from where it was grown.

Shizuoka, Home of Green Tea

The opening of the Shizuoka Tea Museum in 2018 gave tea enthusiasts a place to explore the science, culture, and history of their favourite beverage. If you’re a tactile learner, pick some leaves for yourself and participate in a tea-rubbing workshop to understand what makes Shizuoka’s crops so special. Other workshops include discovering how to use all five senses to get the most from your tea, learning to grind tea leaves into fine matcha powder, and specialized training sessions for both amateurs and industry professionals. There’s also an opportunity to watch and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Shizuoka, Home of Green Tea

While Shizuoka produces vast quantities of green tea, the priority is quality—and, fortunately for tea drinkers, experts the world over can attest to the product’s superior taste. Shizuoka’s teas have won gold medals in the World Green Tea Contest and the Monde Selection Awards, and have received a long list of special accolades and industry prizes from national ministries. But a true aficionado isn’t influenced by trophies, right? There’s only one way to truly understand what makes Shizuoka’s green tea so special: try it for yourself.

Shizuoka, Home of Green Tea

If you’re planning a trip to Shizuoka with the express purpose of trying its magnificent tea, aim for the spring. The World Tea Festival is held every third year (the next festival will be in May 2019, with a second festival in October), while smaller regional festivals like the Kanaya Tea Festival may be held a little more often (every two years, with the next taking place in 2020). Tea plantations and affiliated product manufacturers are constantly improving their craft, with a current focus on increasing the production of organic teas. No matter when you visit, you’re sure to find something delicious brewing.

Tea Museum, Shizuoka

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Shizuoka Pref. Shimadashi Kanayafujimichou 3053-2

0547465588

9:00-17:00(Latest entry16:30…

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