Greenpia Makinohara Tea Leaf Picking Experience

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Shimizu, Shizuoka, is regarded as Japan's premium green-tea growing region.

Your day begins with a scenic, one-hour drive to Greenpia Makinohara, a green tea plantation and processing plant where you'll participate in a unique, hands-on green tea experience! The warm and mild climate of Shizuoka is perfect for growing premium quality green tea, and the city of Makinohara is where 20 percent of Japan's tea leaves are cultivated. Add to this the pure water from Mount Fuji and you've got the perfect recipe for a fresh, flavorful cup of tea. Green tea is not only soothing; its antioxidant properties are believed to have health benefits.

Take in the sweeping views of the verdant fields when you arrive at Greenpia Makinohara. Your guide will hand you a wicker basket and then escort you into the field for a lesson on how to pick tea leaves. Don't forget to take photo of you in lovely traditional hapi coat for tea ceremony. You'll learn which leaves are best and the optimal size of the leaf. (Hint: Larger leaves do not yield the best flavor.)

Then it is on to the on-site factory to learn the processing and manufacturing process. Watch the workers in action and follow along by reading the illustrated signs that describe what goes on during each step from steaming to straining to grinding.

The tour concludes with an authentic tea-drinking workshop. Here you'll learn the best way to prepare and serve Japanese tea, from the proper pot to the optimal water temperature. Did you know that in the preparation of Japanese tea one should never use boiling water?

Before you depart, you can check out the restaurant that serves a variety of items made with tea and be sure to visit the well-stocked gift shop. Visitors are given complimentary cups of tea while they browse for tea. You'll find novelty candy made from green tea here as well.

Special Notes:

Please wear the comfortable wear and shoes.

Tea leaf picking is available from end of April to beginning of October.

The tour cannot be operated in the rain.