Experience Tea Picking With a Tea Farmer, and Tempura Lunch With Picked Tea Leaves

Set out on a captivating journey into the heart of Japanese tea culture with this immersive experience. Venture into the lush tea fields and gain a rare, insider’s perspective as you hand-pick delicate tea leaves alongside a local tea farmer. Uncover the dedication and labor-intensive process required to produce premium tea, then savor the fruits of your labor with a Satoyama-style tempura lunch showcasing the freshly harvested leaves. This comprehensive experience offers a well-rounded understanding of the region’s agricultural heritage, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for the art of tea cultivation. What awaits as you delve deeper into this revered tradition?

This experience made our list of the 2 Best Lunch Experiences In Shizuoka Prefecture.

Key Points

• Visitors can hand-pick fresh tea leaves from lush plantations under the guidance of a local tea farmer, gaining insights into traditional tea cultivation.
• The experience includes a Satoyama-style lunch featuring seasonal ingredients, with tempura dishes made using the freshly harvested tea leaves.
• The tour provides private transportation, ensuring a convenient and comfortable journey, and participants can take home a memento of the tea picking experience.
• The meeting point is easily accessible by public transport or personal vehicle, with clear instructions provided for a hassle-free arrival.
• The tour follows a flexible policy, with booking confirmations within 48 hours and provisions for weather-related cancellations or date changes.

Experience Overview

The experience combines two unique elements: tea leaf picking with a local tea farmer and a tempura lunch featuring the freshly harvested tea leaves.

You’ll start the day by visiting a small tea farm, where you’ll work alongside the farmer to hand-pick delicate tea leaves. This authentic, hands-on activity provides a rare glimpse into the labor-intensive process of cultivating premium tea.

After the tea picking, you’ll enjoy a specially curated Satoyama lunch, which incorporates the just-picked tea leaves into a tempura dish. This combination of engaging agricultural experience and refined culinary presentation offers a well-rounded understanding of Japan’s revered tea culture.

Inclusions

This experience includes a Satoyama lunch using seasonal ingredients, baskets for the tea leaves picked during the tea picking activity, and private transportation.

The Satoyama lunch, a traditional Japanese meal, features fresh, locally-sourced ingredients that reflect the season.

Guests will receive baskets to collect the tea leaves they pick, allowing them to take home a tangible memento of their experience.

The private transportation ensures a comfortable and convenient journey, taking the hassle out of getting to and from the tea farm.

Together, these inclusions provide a well-rounded and immersive experience, allowing participants to fully engage with the tea picking process and savor the flavors of the region.

Meeting Point and Directions

The meeting point for the experience is Tabinoya, located at 1708 Ōno, Kakegawa, Shizuoka 436-0009, Japan.

By car, it’s about a 20-minute drive from Kakegawa Station.

For those using public transportation, one can get off at the Higashiyama Line Hisaka bus stop and then walk approximately 3 minutes to reach the meeting point.

The exact address and directions ensure participants can easily find the starting location for this tea-centric adventure.

With clear instructions on how to arrive by both personal vehicle and public transit, guests can plan their route with confidence and arrive at the designated meeting point on time to begin their immersive tea experience.

Tour Details

Kicking off at 10:00 am, visitors will redeem their tickets at Tabinoya, the designated meeting point, to commence this private tour and activity. Participants will be the sole group involved, ensuring a personalized experience throughout the day’s events.

The tour includes:

1. A delectable Satoyama-style lunch featuring seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients.
2. Baskets to collect the tea leaves harvested during the hands-on tea picking experience.
3. Private transportation to facilitate a seamless, efficient itinerary.

With a focus on immersive, authentic experiences, this tour allows guests to forge a deeper connection with the region’s rich tea culture and culinary traditions, all while enjoying the exclusivity of a private group setting.

Policies

Booking confirmations are provided within 48 hours, subject to availability, and the nonrefundable reservations cannot be altered. If the tour is canceled due to inclement weather, organizers offer participants the choice of an alternate date or a full refund.

The tour’s policies are summarized in the table below:

Policy	Details
Confirmation	Within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Refunds	Non-refundable, cannot be changed for any reason
Weather Cancellations	Offered an alternate date or a full refund

These clear and concise policies ensure a smooth booking process and provide flexibility in case of unforeseen circumstances, giving participants peace of mind when planning their tea picking and tempura lunch experience.

Tea Leaf Picking

Upon arriving at the meeting point, participants embark on the tea leaf picking experience led by a knowledgeable local tea farmer.

Donning provided baskets, they venture into the lush tea plantations to hand-pick the freshest, most delicate tea leaves, learning the traditional techniques and rhythms of this time-honored practice.

The tea farmer guides them through the process, sharing insights into the art of tea cultivation. Participants will:

1. Carefully pluck the young, tender leaves from the tea bushes.
2. Learn the proper methods for handling and storing the picked leaves.
3. Gain a deeper appreciation for the skill and patience required to produce high-quality tea.

This hands-on experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with the rich cultural heritage of tea production in the region.

Tempura Lunch

After the tea leaf picking, participants enjoy a delightful tempura lunch prepared with the freshly harvested leaves. The tempura lunch features a selection of seasonal ingredients expertly fried to golden perfection, highlighting the vibrant flavors of the locally sourced tea leaves. This Satoyama-style meal provides a harmonious continuation of the culture, allowing participants to savor the fruits of their labor in a traditional, countryside setting.

Tempura Dish	Description	Ingredients
Green Tea Tempura	Crispy and light tempura battered with finely ground green tea leaves	Seasonal vegetables, lightly battered and fried to perfection
Matcha Tempura Ice Cream	Creamy matcha-infused ice cream encased in a delicate tempura shell	Sweet and savory combination of green tea and fried dough
Tempura Udon	Springy udon noodles served with an assortment of tempura-fried vegetables and tea leaves	Hearty and comforting dish that showcases the versatility of tempura

Seasonal Ingredients

The Satoyama-inspired tempura lunch highlights the seasonal bounty of locally sourced ingredients, expertly paired with the freshly picked tea leaves to create a harmonious and flavorful culinary experience.

The chef’s keen understanding of the region’s produce results in a menu that showcases the best of what nature has to offer at that time of year.

Some key features of the seasonal ingredients include:

1. Locally grown vegetables, hand-selected for peak ripeness and flavor.
2. Sustainably sourced seafood, fresh from nearby waters.
3. Artisanal condiments and garnishes that complement the tea leaf tempura.

This tempura lunch is more than just a meal – it’s a celebration of the region’s agricultural heritage and the chef’s dedication to showcasing the true essence of seasonal, Satoyama-style cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Maximum Group Size for This Experience?

This is a private tour, so the group size is limited to only the participants in your group. The tour details state that "only your group will participate," indicating a private experience with no shared group.

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment or Clothing?

No special equipment or clothing is required. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for outdoor activities. The tour provider will provide baskets for collecting tea leaves during the tea picking experience.

Is There an Option to Extend the Duration of the Tour?

Yes, the tour can be extended for an additional fee. Guests should inquire about extended tour options and pricing when booking. The standard tour duration may be adjusted to accommodate additional activities or requests.

Can I Request a Vegetarian or Dietary-Restricted Lunch?

Yes, the tour operator can accommodate vegetarian or other dietary-restricted lunch requests. Guests should notify the operator of any dietary needs when booking to ensure the proper meal is provided during the tour.

Are There Any Age or Physical Fitness Requirements to Participate?

This tour does not have any age or physical fitness requirements. Participants of all ages and abilities are welcome to join the tea picking and lunch experience. The tour is designed to be accessible for a wide range of guests.

Recap

Enjoy the intricate world of premium tea cultivation and gain a rare, insider’s perspective on Japan’s revered tea culture.

Hand-pick delicate tea leaves alongside a local tea farmer, then savor the fruits of your labor with a Satoyama-style tempura lunch showcasing the freshly harvested leaves.

This comprehensive experience provides a well-rounded understanding of the region’s agricultural heritage and the dedication required to produce high-quality tea, leaving you with a tangible memento of your tea picking adventure.