SHIZUOKA

Shizuoka (静岡県) is a prefecture in Japan and the largest tea growing region, accounting for around 40% of Japan's yearly output. One of the main reasons for this is the regions perfect conditions for growing the crop with perfect soil acidity, warm days, cool nights, warm summers and cold winters. All of these factors contribute to fantastic quality tea.

 We source from Otsuka Tea Gardens in Kakegawa town, Shizuoka, who produce fantastic single estate teas. We can honestly say that they are some of the best Japanese teas that we have ever tasted. Otsuka have been producing tea since the 1600’s in much the same way as they do today. Their tea garden is situated at the base of Mount Fuji, which provides the tea with fertile soil and the perfect growing conditions.

One of their finest and most notable teas is their deep steamed senchas (known as fukamushi senchas due to their processing). Many of their teas are prize winning in their origin country of Japan, winning multiple regional and national prizes for their quality.

All of the teas produced on these gardens are processed and packaged at the same location, which ensures a high level of quality and freshness throughout their production. Unlike the usual harvesting schedule (see our tea harvesting guide here), the plants that produce these teas are only picked twice per year to allow them significant recovery time to produce excellent leaves.

1. Tea-Growing Regions | ITO EN LTD.