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

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!)