Visiting A Japanese Tea Plantation
Picking Tea in Japan
My trip to Shizuoka, Japan included an obligatory trip to a tea plantation. The tea farm was in the hills, a short drive outside of the city. Getting there was a snap since I had rented a car with GPS. The cool thing about the trip is they try to give you an authentic look at what tea farming is like.
When we arrived they gave the group a quick tour of the main buildings. Then we were ushered into a large room where we changed into traditional workers clothes. I wasn’t sure about the proper way to secure my clothing but one of the workers was happy to help me.
After changing into working clothes we made our way up the hill to start work in the rows of tea shrubs. It was quite hot but I was eager to try my hand at picking tea. Everyone fanned out along the rows looking for the perfect tea leaves. I thought the leaves we picked would be given be sent to be dried with the leaves that were picked by the farmers. I was wrong, however, and was quite surprised when they packaged the leaves for me to take home. I was a little embarrassed because I had been working hard and harvested significantly more than anyone else.
The plantation I went to was pretty busy and seemed to be a popular tourist destination. They sold a large number of snacks and souvenirs for visitors to buy, many of the treats were quite unique. They also sold souvenir photos (complete with cheap cardboard frame)to remember the trip. These were roughly $5 which I thought was pretty reasonable.
The best Part of the trip was the view from the plantation. As we picked tea we were given a great view of the town and surrounding mountains. If I go back to Shizuoka, Japan I will definitely plan a trip to the tea plantation again.
Thats a good thing to learn I didn’t know there were tea plantations like this in japan
Yes, it’s a quieter side of Japan 🙂
This is easily one of the things I don’t read much about Japan, and yet I find it such an interesting experience! Because we definitely like to go off the beaten track, we’ll definitely save your article for when we go to Japan, thank you!
Great! If you have any questions about your trip I’ll be happy to help!
This is really cool. I really didn’t know this type of experience was available. It sounds like something I would totally try. Did you get to try some of their tea?
I purchased a bag of their tea and it was pretty good! Sadly, I was unable to properly dry the tea I picked. Hotel rooms are not the best for that ha
That sounds like fun! Definitely something I would want to do, was it a specific type of tea that you got to pick and take home?
Yes, you should totally try if you go! It was green tea – but I’m not sure of the variety sadly.
Seems like such a fun experience!!!! Would love to visit this place. 🙂
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I have been living in Japan for almost 3 years now and I have to admit I didn’t know about this.
Now of course I totally want to do it.
What a fantastic and unique experience! I would love to do this and I do love green tea. Japan is high on my bucket list. Did you have to book ahead or could you turn up?
Well well! I love tea, but never thought I would take part in harvesting. Pretty cool it is open for people. I think I would try if it I go there.
A very fetching outfit on you! What a great experience I would love to try something like this and would never have thought it possible. Great post
This looks like an interesting experience. I am a huge tea fan, and am currently living in Nairobi, Kenya, but have not yet visited a tea plantation… I think that will be next on my list of places to visit. Thanks for sharing
Wow! Such a beautiful post! I love tea plantations and I would so love to experience tea picking some day. Thanks for sharing your experience. Photos are pretty cool! 🙂
I did lot of things in Japan but did not experience tea plantation. Sounds interesting.
Hi Chad, to which tea farm exactly did you go?
I’m currently traveling through Japan and I really wish I could go to a team farm as you did, but I’m struggling to find any information or location..I would be grateful for a little help! Thank you!!