Many people probably answer Shizuoka prefecture when asked “Where is main tea producing area in Japan?”.
Shizuoka prefecture is the top of the production quantity of Aracha (Unrefined tea) in Japan every year and about 40% of tea gardens areas in Japan are in Shizuoka.
A famous Japanese folk song “Tea plucking” has lyrics like this: Color in Shizuoka, flavor in Uji and taste in Sayama. As the lyrics say, Shizuokacha is known as one of the three major Japanese teas in addition to Ujicha and Sayamacha.
Yabukita cultivar that occupies over 90% of cultivation of Japanese tea is originated here in Shizuoka.
Climate suitable for tea cultivation
One of the reasons why Shizuoka has become the top producing region of tea in Japan is warm climate.
The suitable cultivating areas of tea in Japan have these conditions like the annual average temperature of over 14-16 degrees and the lowest temperature in winter of minus 5-6 degrees.
Most areas in Shizuoka prefecture have the condition of suitable for tea cultivation and rarely have snow in winter. That is why Shizuoka is suitable for tea cultivation.
Actually, Shizuokacha has over 20 producing areas mainly in mountainous areas like Makinohara, Fujisanroku (the foot of Mt. Fuji), and Iwatahara.
Traditional tea-grass integrated system acknowledged internationally
Needless to say, the producing technique of people related to tea manufacturing is also important factor to produce high-quality tea. Some brands including Kakegawacha, a regular winner of a production area award, win awards at a national tea competitive show.
In Shizuoka, pampas grass and bamboo grass grown around tea gardens are mowed and laid on the garden from autumn to winter. It needs lots of time and labor to lay grass on the garden but it has much effect on keeping temperature and moisture in the soil.
This traditional farming method is called “traditional tea-grass integrated system” and was certified as world agricultural heritage in 2013. Spending lots of time and labor leads to the production of tasty tea loved worldwide.
Brands in Shizuokacha
The types of Japanese tea produced in Shizuoka prefecture are mostly Sencha and Fukamushicha. The steaming process of Fukamushicha takes more than 60 seconds. This is as twice as Sencha taking 30 seconds for steaming process. Longer steaming time leads to deep green liquor color and taste with umami and body rather than astringency.
There are some brands depending on producing areas but Honyamacha having the earliest history in Shizuokacha is famous specially. Honyamacha produced in upstream area of the Abekawa river is also known as favorite tea of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous general in the 17th century.
Main brands in Shizuokacha
Makinoharacha (Makinohara city)
Fujisancho kenjocha: tea given to the emperor (Fujisanroku: the foot of Mt.Fuji)
Iwatacha (the Iwatahara daichi plateau)
Kawanecha (Shimada city, Kawanehoncho town)
Kakegawacha (kakegawa city)
Kikugawacha (Kikugawa city)
Amagicha (Izu city)
Inasacha (Hamamatsu city)