Yamashiro Local Information

Wazuka Town

 International Coordinator

Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms ltd.

Simona Zavadchyte

With the staff of Kyoto Obubu Tea Farm

Introduction
My name is Simona from Lithuania. I am working for Obubu Tea Farms ltd in Wazuka Town, Kyoto Prefecture, which is famous for its Uji Green Tea fields. My task is to promote Japanese green tea overseas and also to help tea cultivation and processing when it is the season. Nowadays, as our activities are getting known through foreign media and personal websites, there are a growing number of foreign customers visiting our tea fields. Since we started the wholesale program in addition to direct-sales for individual customers, orders for green tea have increased, with orders coming from all around the world, including the US, Europe and Asia. We now export tea to 44 countries.

About Wazuka Town
Wazuka Town is a small town with a population of 4,000, located in the south of Kyoto Prefecture. “Uji Green Tea” is a famous brand of Japanese green tea, however it is in fact Wazuka that produces the greatest quantity of tea in Kyoto Prefecture. The history of tea production in Wazuka dates back to the Kamakura period (1192-1333). The view of tea fields unfolding in the valleys between the mountains gives the town very picturesque scenery.


Recommended way of spending time in Wazuka
Even though coming to Wazuka may be a bit difficult, it is very beautiful here and I recommend it to everyone. On a free day I love taking a stroll through the tea fields and having some green tea snacks – I personally recommend Matcha Soba (Green Tea Noodles) and Green Tea ice cream.

【Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms ltd.】
Internship Program website: http://obubutea.com/obubu-internship-program/
In 2012, a lady from Hawaii contacted Obubu Tea saying that she would love to work in the tea fields, which marked the beginning of this internship program. Our interns come from many different countries, such as the USA, Canada, and Europe. Interns are mainly engaged in using the internet to promote green tea and international exports of tea, all while learning more about Japanese tea. Depending on the season, you can also experience harvesting and processing tea. Please see our website for further information.


About Japanese Tea Tour
As part of our Japanese Tea Tour, you can visit several tea fields and learn about tea cultivation. The Japanese Tea Instructor will explain the various types of tea, ranging from the everyday Houjicha and Genmaicha teas, to the premium Sencha and Matcha teas, and how to best taste and appreciate them.

Schedule: 4 hours (vising tea field 1.5hrs, Lunch 30min, tea tasting 2hrs)
Number of people: Maximum of 6 people
Fee: 12,000yen/person, including tea sweets, lunch, and small gifts

Address: Otsuka 2 Sono, Wazuka-cho
Transportation: Take Nara Kotsu bus from JR Kamo Station, and get off at Higashi-Wazuka.
Website: http://obubutea.com/( External link ) (English)
Email: info@obubutea.com (English / Japanese)


Sabo Take-no-ko
The recommended meal is the green-colored Green Tea Noodles.

Address: Otsuka 3 Sono, Wazuka-cho
Opening hours:8:30–17:00 (last order 16:30)
No regular closed days
Access: Take Nara Kotsu bus from JR Kamo station, and get off at Higashi-Wazuka.
Website:　http://www.nakaoen.com/sabou_takenoko.html( External link ) (Japanese)

Yamajin Wazuka Chaya
The matcha ice cream is recommended.

Address: Ohasama-26-5 Shirasu, Wazuka-cho
Opening hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Closed on Wednesdays
Access: Take Nara Kotsu bus from JR Kamo Station and get off at Wazuka Yama-no-Ie – 1 minute walk from bus stop

Wazuka-cha Cafe
Priding itself on the use and sales of locally-produced Wazuka Town tea, and built on a hill at 165m above sea level, the café gives a great view of the tea fields.

Address: Ohasama-35 Shirasu, Wazuka-cho
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 15:00
Closed for New Year Holidays
Access: Take Nara Kotsu bus from JR Kamo Station, and get off at Wazuka Yama-no-Ie – 3 minute walk from bus stop.
Website:　http://www.wazuka-chagenkyo.jp/( External link ) (Japanese)