We visited Ujitawara Town, which is located southeast of Kyoto and Uji cities. We had a fantastic time exploring the tea plantation of Koyama Tea Farm & Garden near the Shoujuin temple. It was such a wonderful day! (Please note that walks through the tea plantation are available on Saturdays and Sundays only. It may also be closed for a private reservation, so please check their website for details before you visit.) The tea plantation here stretches dynamically across the slopes. It was so refreshing to stroll through it and enjoy some amazing organic tea. It’s no wonder it draws visitors from both Japan and abroad! (Address: 127-1 Okuyamada Miyagaito, Ujitawara Town, Tsuzuki-gun, Kyoto)
Inspiration
Immerse Yourself in a Special Experience at Koyama Tea Farm & Garden
2025.09.17
Indulge in Luxurious Tea and Panoramic Views
I had their rich matcha latte, and I really liked it. It was something special, allowing the true essence of the tea leaves to shine through! (They also offer matcha with a small higashi or dry confectionery, and cold-brewed sencha green tea made with a generous amount of luxurious tea leaves. Each one is a real treat with an authentic flavor!) It’s a joy to have a one-of-a-kind encounter with single-origin tea!
What’s more, the stunning views just swept away all my daily fatigue, leaving my heart feeling completely full and happy. It was a truly special experience you don’t get to have very often.
As a side note, matcha green tea is made from steamed, dried, and powdered tea leaves. To drink it, you whisk the powder with hot water using a chasen (a tea whisk). It’s a special tea most Japanese people think of when they hear “Japanese tea ceremony.” Today, matcha lattes, with much milder flavors, can be found at cafes both in Japan and overseas. On the other hand, sencha green tea is made by drying tea leaves while kneading them. It’s one of the most common teas in Japan and is widely available in plastic bottles. Fun fact: the foundation of the current sencha production method was established by Nagatani Soen in Ujitawara!
Let’s Take Advantage of the Improved Access Between Ujitawara and Wazuka
Speaking of Ujitawara Town, Jubuzan Tunnel, which opened this February, has made it so much easier to get to Wazuka Town! In addition, a new express service from Kyoto Keihan Bus launched on September 6, providing tourists with a quick and easy way to get to Wazuka. You can catch the bus at Uji Station (JR Nara Line) and Uji Station (Keihan Uji Line), too. (The bus operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays until October 26, and also on November 2.)
Why not take this opportunity to visit the beautiful Wazuka, also known as Teatopia, too? Note: Shirasu and Ishitera Tea Plantations are a part of the Japan Heritage (Japanese Tea: Eight Centuries of Tradition), and one of the Scenic Assets of Kyoto Prefecture.
