I participated in the “Green Tea Tours”.▼
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“Shizuoka: Japan’s Hidden Green Tea Gem in Central Japan (with a Taste of Matcha Too!)”
You’ve probably heard of Kyoto’s matcha, but did you know that Shizuoka is one of Japan’s top green tea-producing regions?
Shizuoka Prefecture is known in Japan as “Shizuoka Prefecture when it comes to green tea,” and in fact, Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the top green tea producers in Japan, even more so than Kyoto, known as the home of green tea!
There are many varieties (regional brands) of “Shizuoka green tea” produced in Shizuoka Prefecture, such as Motoyama tea in Shizuoka City, Kakegawa tea in Kakegawa City, Kawane tea in Shimada City, and Tenryu tea in Hamamatsu City are well known.
▲Photo provided: Kakegawa City (Cold Fukamushi (Deep-Steamed) Kakegawa Green Tea)
If you’re looking to experience tea picking, learn about green tea, and of course, enjoy some tea, here are some of the best green tea spots in Shizuoka Prefecture for you to explore!
Outside of Japan, “Shizuoka Prefecture is associated with tea” may not yet be widely known.
Why not enjoy tea in Shizuoka Prefecture ahead of your friends?
▲Photo provided：Hamamatsu and Lake Hamana Tourism Bureau
1. Explore the World of Green Tea: Museums and Experiences Await
To become a green tea lover, I need to learn about green tea first.
So, first of all, we would like to introduce you to a facility where you can learn about green tea.
Tea Museum, Shizuoka (Shimada City)
It is located on the Makinohara Plateau, the largest tea plantation in Japan.
Surrounded by tea fields, visitors can experience the charm of tea by touching tea leaves and viewing exhibits on the history, culture, and functionality of the tea industry.
You can also experience the tea ceremony and grind powdered matcha.
In addition, depending on the season, tea picking and tea rubbing experiences are also offered.
You’ll learn a lot about tea.
▲You can enjoy a view of the vast tea fields from the observation terrace!
▼More details are available on the official website.
Tea Museum, Shizuoka：https://tea-museum.jp/index_en.html
KADODE OOIGAWA (Shimada City)
It opened together with the new Oigawa Railway station “Kadode Station,” which was created in 2020. This is an interactive theme park for tea and agriculture.
Marche, restaurants, experience programs, and various seasonal events are also available.
In addition, there are many other spots where you will want to take pictures!
▼You can see a glimpse of the ‘MANDARA Chabashira’ in the back right of the photo.
The Chabashira features a variety of information, including flavor profiles, recommended brewing methods, pairing ideas, and lifestyle-inspired tea scenes.
We hope you’ll come and see it with your own eyes!
One of the most popular experiences is the Green Tea B.I.Y. Stand.
With 16 types of tea leaves, different water temperatures, and steeping times, you can explore a variety of flavors, aromas, and colors.
This unique experience lets you easily brew and enjoy MANDARA GREEN TEA with a specially made mini bottle.
Here’s a little secret — the tour lets you turn into a tea leaf and experience the key steps of tea processing inside a fun attraction: steaming, rolling, and roasting!
▼More details are available on the official website.
KADODE OOIGAWA：https://kadode-ooigawa.jp
Experience Japanese tea culture "Cha-Kabuki" (Hamamatsu City)
“Cha-Kabuki” is a game in which players are asked to name a brand of green tea.
A culture that has continued since the Muromachi period (1336-1573) in Japan, this game uses five types of tea leaves and involves guessing the brand name while tasting the aroma, astringency, sweetness, and other characteristics of the tea.
▲five different kinds of tea leaves
Muramatsu Shoten, where you can experience this, owns its own tea farm and produces and sells pure, homemade tea.
Please also read this article for more information on the Cha-kabuki experience.
2. Green Tea Time: A Moment of Calm in the Tea Room
To develop a love for tea, you need to try drinking it! Here are a few tea rooms in Shizuoka Prefecture where you can enjoy some tea.
Forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy a moment of tranquility.
Shointei Tea Room (Hamamatsu City)
Shointei Tea Room is an authentic teahouse full of greenery located in Hamamatsu Castle Park.
You can enjoy the ‘tea and Japanese sweets’ through a tea service while appreciating the seasonal tea utensils and the beautiful garden. (Ryureiseki*）
Depending on the day, you can enjoy either matcha or sencha, along with seasonal Japanese sweets.
Although it is an authentic tea room, this tea service allows you to enjoy tea in casual attire, making it a hidden gem where you can experience a sense of escape from everyday life.
*A seated tea ceremony with chairs instead of tatami and seiza.
▲The wagashi served that day (may vary depending on the day)
▼More details are available on the official website.
Shointei Tea Room：https://www.shouintei.jp/
Ninomaru Tea Room (Kakegawa City)
▲Photo provided: Kakegawa City (Ninomaru Tea Room)
At the Ninomaru Tea Room in Kakegawa Castle Park, you can enjoy sencha and matcha made from Kakegawa tea, one of the largest tea producers in Japan, along with delicious Japanese sweets from a local Kakegawa confectionery, all while taking in the beautiful natural surroundings.
On a sunny day, relax and enjoy a peaceful moment while taking in the view of the Japanese garden and Kakegawa Castle.
At the Ninomaru Tea Room, we also host seasonal tea events such as the Tanabata Tea Ceremony and the Moon Viewing Tea Ceremony. Please feel free to visit and enjoy these unique experiences.
▼More details are available on the official website.
Ninomaru Tea Room：https://kakegawajo.com/ninomaruchashitsu/
Sunpu Castle Park Tea Room (Shizuoka City)
It is a tea room located within the Momijiyama Garden, which was created inside Sunpu Castle Park.
In Momijiyama Garden, you can experience a variety of scenes that evoke the atmosphere of a feudal lord’s garden within a castle.
How about enjoying tea at a Ryureiseki tea ceremony while admiring the seasonal flowers, such as cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and camellias in winter?
▼More details are available on the official website.
Sunpu Castle Park Tea Room：https://sumpu-castlepark.com/momijiyama/tearoom/
Hyogetsu-tei Tea Room at Gyokuro no Sato (Fujieda City)
The Asahina district in Fujieda City, one of Japan’s top three gyokuro tea-producing regions, alongside Uji in Kyoto and Yame in Fukuoka.
This authentic tea room is located within Gyokuro no Sato, surrounded by nature.
Even if you’re not familiar with the tea ceremony etiquette or find sitting in seiza uncomfortable, feel free to enjoy authentic tea amidst the beautiful natural scenery.
▼More details are available on the official website.
Hyogetsu-tei Tea Room at Gyokuro no Sato：https://www.shizutetsu-retailing.com/gyokuronosato/
3. Get Your Hands in the Leaves: Tea Picking Experience
Under the clear blue sky, stepping into the refreshing green tea fields and picking tea will soothe both your mind and body, leaving you feeling rejuvenated.”
Tea picking experiences are available only during certain seasons, and some facilities may require a reservation.
Please be sure to check the latest information before you go.
▲Photo provided: Makinohara City (Tea Fields)
Grinpia Makinohara (Makinohara City)
You can experience tea picking in the vast tea fields.
Picking fresh tea buds amidst the green carpet of the tea fields will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Step into the tea fields, touch the tea trees and leaves, and enjoy the refreshing aroma of the tea garden.
Additionally, there is a tea factory tour and a direct sales store on-site.
(Please note that the factory line may be halted during certain times of the year.)
▼More details are available on the official website.
Grinpia Makinohara：http://grinpia.com/
Tabinoya (Kakegawa City)
Kakegawa City, one of the leading tea-producing areas in the prefecture, is home to tea fields recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).
On clear days, you can also enjoy a view of Mount Fuji.
The experience of picking tea in Kakegawa is sure to be a blissful time for both body and soul!
▼More details are available on the official website.
Kiwi Fruit Country Japan (Kakegawa City)
Experience picking tea at a tea garden certified as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.
Why not relax and enjoy picking tea with a lovely view in the background?
Tea picking experience is also available with a kiwi eating plan or a tea making plan.
▼More details are available on the official website.
Kiwi Fruit Country Japan：https://kiwicountry.jp/
★Plus, More Unique Experiences to Enjoy
How about wearing a ‘Cha-musume costume’ and enjoying tea picking in a more authentic way?
This tea-picking experience is sure to become an even more special memory.
Take this opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the charm of tea picking.
*Availability of Cha-musume costume rental depends on the facility. Please contact each facility for details.
▲This is what a traditional ‘Cha-musume costume’ looks like.
4. Recommended Places to Buy Tea Around Major Stations in Shizuoka Prefecture
There are many places to buy tea in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Here are some easily accessible tea shops near Shinkansen stations.
There are many other wonderful tea shops as well, so if you’re interested, be sure to check them out!
Around Shizuoka Station
◎Nanaya Shizuoka store
There are several locations within the prefecture, with the main store located in Fujieda City.
The Shizuoka store is about a 10-minute walk from Shizuoka Station.
The world’s richest matcha gelato and matcha chocolate are very popular.
▲Matcha gelato at the main store of Nanaya.（The menu is subject to change.）
▼More details are available on the official website.
Nanaya：https://nanaya-matcha.com/
◎Grand Kiosk Shizuoka Store
It is a general souvenir shop located at Shizuoka Station.
While it’s not a tea specialty shop, there’s a great selection of souvenirs that will definitely excite you!
It’s very convenient, being directly connected to the station, so I wanted to introduce it.
▼More details are available on the official website.
Grand Kiosk Shizuoka Store：https://www.jr-plus.co.jp/store/140/
Around Kakegawa Station
◎Koressikadokoro
It’s a shop offering local products and Shizuoka souvenirs, sharing information about food and culture.
They offer a wide variety of local specialty sweets and famous products that can only be found here.
It’s not a specialty tea shop, but it’s also located inside the station, making it very convenient to use.
▼More details are available on the official website.
Koressikadokoro：https://www.city.kakegawa.shizuoka.jp/kanko/spot-list/koressikadokoro.html
◎matcha Kimikura Kakegawa Station Flagship Store
It’s a café located adjacent to the north exit of JR Kakegawa Station.
You can enjoy original matcha drinks, sweets, and food.
Their 100% organic matcha drinks, along with special matcha food and sweets, will help you relax both body and soul.
In addition, they also carry tea leaves from their sister brand, ‘Nihoncha Kimikura’.
‘Nihoncha Kimikura’ is a specialty Japanese tea shop that carefully selects and sells tea from various regions across Japan, with a focus on Shizuoka Prefecture.
In addition, Kimikura has other locations in Kakegawa City, including ‘Nihoncha Kimikura main shop’ and the ‘Kimikura Café’.
▲At Kimikura Café（The menu is subject to change.）
▼More details are available on the official website.
matcha Kimikura Kakegawa Station Flagship Store：https://kimikura.jp/matcha/
Nihoncha Kimikura main shop：https://kimikura.jp/honten/
Kimikura Café：https://kimikura.jp/cafe/
Around Hamamatsu Station
◎Matsuura Seicha (Matsuura Tea Shop)
Matsuura Seicha (Matsuura Tea Shop) has its main store in Morimachi, Shizuoka Prefecture, and has been producing tea in the same town since its founding.
This one is also located inside Hamamatsu Station, making it easy to stop by.
There are many other shops to explore besides Matsuura Seicha, such as Grand Kiosk, a general souvenir store—so don’t forget to check them out!
▼More details are available on the official website.
Matsuura Seicha：https://matsuura-seicha.com/
★Inside Enshu Department Store
Enshu Department Store is just a short walk from JR Hamamatsu Station.
They also sell a variety of Hamamatsu souvenirs, so if you have some time before your train departs, be sure to stop by!
Enshu Department Store：https://www.endepa.com/
◎Ishida Chaya (Ishida tea shop)
The main store is located in Morimachi, Shizuoka Prefecture.
What Ishida Chaya values most is creating tea with the natural sweetness and umami that customers can truly say is ‘delicious’.
From Morimachi, Shizuoka Prefecture, we deliver directly from the producer, using traditional methods, ensuring fresh tea from the source.
▼More details are available on the official website.
Ishida Chaya：https://ishida-chaya.com/store/
◎Koyamaen
The main store is located in Shizuoka City.
A variety of expertly crafted teas, made by skilled tea masters, are available.
Using mainly Shizuoka-grown tea leaves, each tea is thoughtfully blended to highlight the unique flavor of its origin, field, and variety.
▼More details are available on the official website.
Koyamaen：http://www.koyamaen.co.jp/
◎Jiichiro
Jiichiro sells a special ‘Shizuoka Matcha Baumkuchen’ that’s only available at their Enshu Department Store location.
It’s made with high-quality matcha from Shizuoka-grown tea leaves, resulting in a rich flavor with a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness beautifully.
*Jiichiro delivers Baumkuchen and other sweets with the heartfelt concept of ‘layering happiness.’ The main store is located in Hamamatsu City.
▼More details are available on the official website.
Jiichiro：https://jiichiro.com/
￣￣￣￣￣￣
Although ‘tea = Shizuoka’ may not be widely recognized outside of Japan, a trip to Shizuoka to immerse yourself in its authentic tea culture will undoubtedly be a fantastic and unforgettable experience.
In Shizuoka, spots where you can enjoy matcha are gradually increasing, and matcha enthusiasts may discover new and exciting places.
Tour the captivating tea spots of Shizuoka and get a head start in discovering the depth and richness of tea before your friends do.
(Please be aware that the tea fields are privately owned, and entry without permission is prohibited. We kindly ask that you refrain from causing any inconvenience to the farmers.)
