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This specialized tea tour was realized after receiving an e-mail inquiry about tea tours from university students from abroad, thanks to (a travel agency in Shizuoka). We were very happy to know that they were interested in Japanese green tea and that they had decided to spend one day here in Shizuoka to visit tea-related places during their stay in Japan. We believe that the tour was a good opportunity for them to gain an insight into the tea industry by direct contact with tea experts.

At Moriuchi Tea Farm, the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Moriuchi, warmly welcomed us. They showed us one of their tea fields where they grow the best quality tea, which is entered in tea competitions and usually wins awards. First, we tried picking tea as Mr. Moriuchi explained to us how to pick up tea leaves and then, had a look at tea processing factory that makes Aracha. Aracha is a half-finished product(picked-up leaves are steamed, rubbed, twisted and kneaded while heated and dried).  Then, we were invited to their traditional Japanese style house to have a cup of tea. We tried different types of tea with Japanese sweet cake and learned a lot about tea from a Q&A session with Mr.&Mrs. Moriuchi. They were so nice and we will miss them greatly.

Aracha is brought into and traded at the market and purchased by tea wholesalers. The day we visited was at the end of July, so there was no trading, but they kindly welcomed us to tell us about the tea trade and showed us various kinds of tea and how to evaluate them. Tea professionals have developed a nose for tea. It was a valuable experience for us.

Oden is Japanese popular food. Various ingredients such as vegetables and fish cakes are boiled and simmered slowly in a fish-based broth seasoned with soy sauce. Shizuoka Oden is one of the local specialties. The characteristics are; it is stewed in a darker broth, darker-colored Hanpen(pastry fishcakes) from sardine meat are used as an ingredient, and each ingredient is skewered and stewed in a special pan. Children and students in Shizuoka frequently drop by an Oden Shop nearby after school. It is “the taste of street” in our city. It was a very hot day, so they enjoy Kakigori(a bowl of shaved ice with sweat flavored syrup), as well.

Around Shizuoka Tea Market there are many tea-related businesses including tea wholesalers. We visited Maeda Kinzaburo Shoten, one of the tea wholesalers with nearly a hundred years history. After purchasing Aracha, tea wholesalers refine them into final products. We had a look at their refining factory.  Maeda Kinzaburo Shoten also has a tea room where visitors can try many kinds of tea with some sweets. They came up with new sweet products using tea as an ingredient. One of the most popular ones is “Chaffle”, a waffle-like sweet with tea flavored crème instead of custard crème. There are a variety of tea flavors. Everyone was so impressed with this original sweet.