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.