Taste of Zen: The Shizuoka Tea Tour 4Days

******The airfare to/from Japan is not included.******
 
Departure Dates: March 27, July 6, August 3
 
<Schedule>
 
Day 1  
11:00am Depart from Shizuoka Station
↓  Private vehicle
11:30am Enjoy a buffet lunch at Nihondaira Hotel with stunning views of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding landscape.
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1:15pm-3:00pm Visit Sugiyama Mitsuhiro Farm Tea Leaf Terrace
↓ Private vehicle
3:30pm  Visit Shirakawa Denjiro Store
Established over 100 years ago in Shizuoka’s historic tea district, they specialize in premium "Shirakata Tea." From wholesale and retail to exports, they deliver the finest teas to customers across Japan and around the world.
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5:00pm Hotel check-in
↓　walk
6:30pm Dinner at Le Monde Fujigaya
Enjoy teppanyaki paired with fine teas, curated by the female chef and owner, who holds both a Japanese Tea Instructor and Sommelier certification.
 
Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel
↓  Private vehicle
8:30am Depart from the hotel
↓  Private vehicle
9:15am -10:30am Tea Museum, Shizuoka
Shizuoka Prefecture launched the "Tea Capital, Shizuoka" initiative in 2014 to promote its tea industry. The "Tea Museum, Shizuoka," located on the Makinohara Plateau, opened in 2018, showcasing tea history, culture, and industry. It offers interactive tea experiences for all ages and serves as a hub for tea industry training and information sharing.
↓  Private vehicle
11:00am - 2:00pm Visit Moriki tea Farm and Enjoy a Light Lunch
A 200-year-old tea garden on the Makinohara Plateau, where Shizuoka tea gained global recognition. Enjoy a variety of teas, including deep-steamed tea, hojicha, and flavored teas.
↓  Private vehicle
3:00pm - 5:00pm Visit to a Gyokuro tea farm, hosted by Mr. Noboru Endo
Learn froma Gyokuro tea master in one of Japan's top three Gyokuro-producing regions.
↓  Private vehicle
5:40pm Arrive at the hotel 
Afterwards, enjoy some leisure time.
 
Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel
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8:30am Depart from the hotel
↓　Private vehicle
9:30am VIsit Murakami Tea Garden
A 100-year-old tea garden with views of Mt. Fuji and enjoy a tasting of Japanese black teas.
↓　Private vehicle
11:30am - 1:00pm Light lunch at Green Eight Café
They offer tea and Japanese black tea cultivated in the tea gardens of Ryogōchi, upstream of the Okitsu River in Shimizu, Shizuoka City.
↓　Private vehicle
1:30pm Visit Momijiyama Garden in Sunpu Castle Park 
In a traditional Japanese room within the garden,
- Matcha Calligraphy®︎Experience
This unique experience replaces traditional ink with matcha in Zen Japanese Calligraphy, produced by Shizuoka-based Shodoka, Shoran. The matcha used is sourced from leftover tea that would otherwise be discarded.
- Experience Go-gumi with Mr.Iwazaki from Maruhide Iwazaki Tea Shop
The master of the shop crafts fresh ideas for new blended tea brands, including the traditional go-gumi method, and guides you in blending your own cup of tea to taste and enjoy.
↓　Private vehicle
Dinner at Kakuya Bessho
Enjoy modern Japanese cuisine and tea pairings based on the menu of the chefs who served Tokugawa Ieyasu.
 
Day 4
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and end of the tour.