Embark on an Unforgettable Day Trip to Wazuka, a Beautiful Town Brimming With Tea Experiences

Steeped in traditional culture, Kyoto is renowned for its exquisite tea. From gift shops to cafes, it presents various ways to enjoy the famous Uji tea.

If you visit the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture known as “Kyoto Tea Country,” you can dive deep into the world of Uji tea. This region boasts eight centuries of tradition of cultivating various high-quality teas and nurturing the vibrant tea culture of Japan.

For a special experience in nature of “Kyoto Tea Country,” Wazuka Town is definitely one of the must-visit places as it’s a major producer of Uji tea. Designated as one of “The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan,” Wazuka has captivated visitors with its magnificent sloping tea plantations.

Prepare your camera and discover what awaits you on a day trip to this picturesque town!

While renting a car is an option, you can also reach Wazuka Town from Kyoto Station using a combination of train and bus. For example, the train journey to JR Kamo Station takes about an hour. Here’s a possible way to get there.

Take the Miyakoji Rapid Service on the JR Nara Line (bound for Nara Station). Then, get off at Kizu Station, and take the Rapid Service on the JR Kansai Line (bound for Kamo Station). Get off at Kamo Station, and take the Nara Kotsu Bus (65, bound for Wazuka-cho-Harayama).

(The bus stop you get off at depends on where you want to go first.)

Since the buses don’t run very often, you may have to wait a while. Consider taking the opportunity to relax at a cafe in the Kamo Station area.

Tea plantations are in every corner of this “Teatopia”, with Shirasu and Ishitera Tea Plantations being among the most celebrated. Their vibrant green, dramatically steep slopes are iconic scenery of Wazuka. If the timing is right, you might see farmers driving small trucks here. They diligently tend to the tea plants, keeping them healthy and well-manicured. This dedication is evident in the breathtaking panoramic views that visitors can admire.

Enjoy strolling through this scenic area and capturing its beauty in photos. However, visitors are not permitted to enter the tea plantations, as they are the private property of the farmers. To experience them up close or look out over wonderful views from high vantage points, guided tours are available.

Visitors are not permitted to enter the tea fields, as they are the private property of the farmers. However, you can take pictures and walk around them. Those wanting to go into the fields and get a closer look at the fields or climb up the slopes can do so on a tour.

The climate in Wazuka and the surrounding regions is said to be ideal for tea production, with significant temperature variations between day and night, and morning fog that shields the delicate leaves from direct sunlight. While harvest times vary among farmers, tea in Wazuka is often harvested around Hachiju-Hachi-Ya (the 88th day from the first day of spring), summer, and fall.

Belonging to the camellia family, the tea plant has lively green leaves. When hand-picked, only the new buds and the top two leaves are selected. Sometimes you can see tea plantations covered to block direct sunlight. This is because it results in a richer, more flavorful tea, with umami (delicious savory taste) and less astringency. Carefully cultivated tea leaves are meticulously processed into the forms of tea we are familiar with.

To get to the Ishitera area, take a bus from JR Kamo Station to Wazuka Takahashi (about 9 min.). Then, walk uphill (about 7 min.) and you’ll see the stunning scenery stretching out before you.

You can find unique beers called Chabeer at Taketani Saketen, a local liquor shop in the Ishitera area. These local craft beers are made with Wazuka tea.

The IPA with fukamushicha (deep-steamed tea) is a popular option with a gorgeous aroma that gently spreads. The stout with hojicha (roasted tea) is a profoundly flavorful beer with a full-bodied taste. The white ale with kabusecha (tea grown under a cover for more than 14 days) has a light, refreshing flavor with a hint of sweetness and a sophisticated taste. Each beer has its own unique characteristics, and it’s fun to explore the distinct features of each.

These beers are rare and only available in a few places, so if you’re interested, don’t miss your chance to get them!

From the bus stop Wazuka Takahashi, take a bus to Wazuka-yamanoie (about 7 min.). Then, walk to Kyoto Wazukaso, (about 10 min.), a comfortable inn with a restaurant that has a view of a tea plantation.

Kyoto Wazukaso’s lunchtime special, Wazuka Gozen (the picture above), is presented in a beautiful box with elegant lacquered drawers, and each drawer reveals a new delight of traditional Japanese dishes. (Reservations required 3 days in advance.) The beautiful meal includes tea-based dishes. The ingredients vary depending on when you visit, but for example, you might enjoy tofu (a food with a pudding-like texture) made with matcha green tea, and a tempura (a deep-fried dish) of tea leaves. Steamed rice with a delicate flavor of hojicha (roasted tea) is unique and delicious, too.

If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, inform the staff when making your reservation. (Please note that they may not be able to accommodate all requests.)

In addition to their great meals, you can enjoy comfortable overnight stays in both Japanese and Western-style rooms in Wazukaso. It’s a wonderful inn to experience tea with all five senses, offering a good aroma of tea here and there. Their baths are infused with Wazuka tea, providing a unique and relaxing experience!

(D:matcha Kyoto Cafe & Kitchen has relocated to the Yubune area and is operating as D:matcha Kyoto. Please check their website for the latest information. The following information was previously available.)

D:matcha Kyoto Cafe & Kitchen is a green tea heaven located near Kyoto Wazukaso. It provides several experiences, from tea tasting to tea picking. There are even hiking trails that allow you to explore the tea plantations with a tour guide! They have English-speaking staff who are passionate about sharing their knowledge of tea with you.

For an introductory experience, try a tour that includes a tea-tasting course of sencha (one of the most commonly drunk Japanese teas) or matcha. You will receive a tasting flight of green teas of three varieties grown in their own tea plantations in Wazuka. They include organic ones.

You can experience the differences among these high-quality teas, and discover the variations in their levels of the bitterness and umami (delicious savory taste). The cafe has a shop where you can take home your favorite varieties after tasting, if you want. (This shop is the perfect place for those seeking organic tea and fun sweets like matcha-infused chocolates, too!)

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of Wazuka with a cycling adventure.

Rent an e-bike from Wazukacha Cafe, and embark on a memorable journey. Enjoy more of the gorgeous scenery of tea plantations with the wind blowing in your hair.

Plan your cycling trip for around an hour or two. Or it would be a good idea to include Sky Cafe in your plan before your 1-hour cycling tour. Sky Cafe is a rented tea room on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the town. (You can check in at Wazukacha Cafe.)

Enjoy, but be sure to observe the traffic rules while cycling and taking breaks, and do not enter any tea plantation.

Matcha art, where you can design your own masterpiece on the foamy surface of matcha, is a fun spin on the traditional powdered green tea. Classes at Utena Tea are available by advanced reservation via e-mail (utena.tea@gmail.com). (For details such as the venue and workshop schedule, please contact the teacher by email. English is acceptable.)

This workshop teaches about tea in Wazuka and shows participants how to draw with matcha. After preparing teas, which will serve as the “ink” and the “canvas” for your work of art, it’s time to start drawing! If you make a mistake or want to redo your design, you can easily erase it and restore the surface of the matcha by whisking it. Have fun!

Once you’re satisfied, take a picture and savor your delicious matcha. Even a simple design should give you a sense of accomplishment. A seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) comes with it, offering a sweet and refreshing experience.

After enjoying amazing experiences unique to Wazuka, you can take home the magic of this “Teatopia.” Wazukacha Cafe offers a wide selection of teas from local farmers, tea-flavored sweets, items for enjoying tea, and more. You can also find single-origin teas grown in Wazuka, each with its own unique charm and seasonal character.

To return to Kyoto Station, take the bus from Wazuka-yamanoie to JR Kamo Station. Buses run only once an hour, and the last departs at 19:56, so check the timetable beforehand.

Then, go back the way you came, with all the fun memories you made.

How do you like this extraordinary trip? If you’re interested in a tea-filled journey surrounded by nature, it must be perfect. This small, charming town is a treasure trove of natural beauty and authentic tea, offering a new perspective on Kyoto’s charms.

The Kyoto Tea Country region offers many more places to delve into the history and culture of tea through various experiences. For matcha-related activities and destinations, check this article.