Can I Go to a Matcha Farm in Japan?

Matcha is in all places within the information these days, in each constructive and adverse methods. On the constructive aspect, the powdered inexperienced tea has performed wonderful mushy energy work, rising already off-the-charts curiosity in Japan as a journey vacation spot.

On the adverse aspect, it looks as if there are respectable provide shortages, each from the consumption generated by the matcha growth, and doubtlessly even because of local weather change.

Irrespective of stories and fads, matcha is as a lot an expertise as it’s a beverage. That is particularly the case when you go to a matcha farm in Japan, a lot of that are inside day-trip distance of Kyoto.

Wazuka is Hiding in Plain Sight

Whether or not or not you’ve ever considered taking a Kyoto tea farm tour, I doubt you’ve grasped simply how near Kyoto Wazuka-cho (the city that hosts a lot of the farms) is. Properly, a minimum of by way of distance. It’s solely about 30 km (~18 miles) from Kyoto Station, and solely about half that distance from Uji Station. Sadly, it’s not simply accessible by public transportation, although I’ll discuss extra about that in only a second.

Certainly, excursions of matcha plantations don’t are typically exorbitantly priced. In consequence, you possibly can spend evenings in your lodge room having fun with actual cash gaming with out having to spend all of your earnings on an tour. Whereas transportation (be {that a} rental automotive, a taxi or a tour car) may barely enhance the value you pay, you possibly can relaxation assured that almost all of your winnings will probably be yours to maintain.

 

5 Issues to Know About Visiting a Kyoto Matcha Plantation

The tea farms are in Uji Metropolis

Matcha farms are in Kyoto-fu, i.e. Kyoto Prefecture. Nevertheless, they’re technically positioned within the metropolis of Uji, which is itself about half-hour from Kyoto Station on the JR Nara Line. I’ll discuss extra about Uji Metropolis in only a minute, however typically talking, I contemplate it to be a separate vacation spot from Kyoto.

(However probably not)

Including maybe one other layer of complication is that indisputable fact that no tea farm close to Kyoto is within the city heart of Uji, i.e. Uji-shi. Reasonably, they’re positioned within the city of Wazuka (Wazuka-cho), a particularly rural space simply over the mountains to the south and east of Uji-proper.

You’ll want your individual set of wheels

Because the crow flies, Wazuka isn’t very far, neither from Kyoto nor from Uji. Sadly, you possibly can’t experience there on a crow’s again—and you’ll’t even take public transport all the best way. For those who aren’t comfy with the concept of renting a automotive in Japan, you’ll want to rent a taxi at Uji Station; it will value ~¥10,000 one-way. (TIP: Simply hire the automotive!)

(Or a guided tour)

The fully easy method to go to a Kyoto tea farm is to ebook an organized matcha tour. This is not going to solely handle transportation, however will make sure you aren’t left holding the bag while you get to the farm. Or somewhat, that you’re holding the bag, presuming that you simply want to choose tea.

Uji Metropolis can be price visiting

Uji Metropolis clearly doesn’t have any farms, however it’s bought an entire lot else. From gorgeous Byodo-in (the temple on the again of the ¥10 coin) to the beautiful waterfront of the Uji River, you gained’t get bored right here. Plus, there’s loads of Matcha paraphernalia, from outlets and eating places alongside Byodo-in Omotesando, to the Chazuna Tea Museum.

 

Different Locations in Japan to Go to Tea Farms

Kyoto is the best place in Japan to go to tea farms, however it’s not the one one. Listed below are a couple of of my different favourite locations in Japan to see tea fields:

• Shizuoka: Whether or not at Obuchi Sasaba close to Mt. Fuji, or in barely much less scenic locales, Shizuoka-ken is the highest producer of inexperienced tea in Japan, other than Kyoto.
• Kagoshima: You gained’t see any satsuma oranges exploring the Satsuma Peninsula, however the tea fields of Ei (with Mt. Kaimondake rising above them) are nothing if not gorgeous.
• Saitama: If you wish to go to a tea farm with out having to go away Tokyo, a day journey to Miyano-en in Sayama Metropolis, Saitama prefecture might be your finest wager.

Additionally, needless to say whether or not or not you go to a Kyoto matcha farm, you should buy high-quality Uji matcha virtually anyplace in Japan, together with upon departure from the airport.

 

Different FAQ About Your Kyoto Tea Farm Go to

What tea is Kyoto identified for?

Kyoto is understood for Uji matcha, which is among the highest high quality powdered inexperienced tea in Japan. Past this, Kyoto is maybe the very best place in Japan to take pleasure in a tea ceremony guided by a Geisha, which is probably the most conventional method to benefit from the beverage.

Can I go to a matcha farm in Japan?

You’ll be able to go to a matcha farm in Japan considerably simply, particularly preserving in thoughts that many are day journey distance from Kyoto. Nevertheless, attributable to minimal public transportation, it’s best to plan on both renting a automotive or reserving an organized tour to be able to attain the farms.

The place is the very best matcha grown in Japan?

Broadly talking, Japan’s finest matcha is understood to be both in Shizuoka prefecture (particularly the areas simply south of Mt. Fuji) and in Uji Metropolis close to Kyoto. Nevertheless, it’s not unusual to see tea fields all all through Japan; it’s also possible to purchase matcha nearly anyplace.

The Backside Line

Wish to go to a Matcha farm in Japan? They’re accessible to most vacationers, with a number of inside day-trip distance of Kyoto. Nevertheless, some obstacles do exist—particularly, that due to the precise location of most inexperienced tea farms, you’ll both must hire a automotive or ebook an organized tour. If you will get previous these limitations, then I believe you’ll discover visiting a tea farm is a particularly particular expertise, a minimum of on par with a tea ceremony (which it’s also possible to take pleasure in in Kyoto). Want personalised assist integrating a tea plantation go to into your subsequent journey to Japan? Fee a customized Japan itinerary right this moment!