Today's trip takes us to the Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka (静岡県), where our matchas & Kabusecha green tea come from. Shizuoka is known for its tea cultivation, fantastic travel destinations and of course Mount Fuji. The prefecture is located in the Chūbu (中部) region of Japan and is situated on the largest main island of Honshū(本州). More than 3.6 million people live in the prefecture. Shizuoka is located directly on the sea and is slightly more southern than Tōkyō. Because most of our tea products also come from there, we would like to introduce the prefecture to you in more detail.

When the climate is just perfect for tea

A look at historical sources reveals that tea cultivation in Japan probably began on the southern main island of Kyūshū. Today, however, the tea fields in Shizuoka are the most important cultivation areas for green tea in Japan. Depending on the year of production, about 40 percent of all Japanese tea comes from there.

Shizuoka is located in the subtropical climate zone and this geographical location creates excellent climatic conditions for tea cultivation. The landscape, together with its forested hills, mountains and seashore, generates a particularly mild climate. The warmer seasons start earlier and the winters are mild. In addition, it rains enough and so the delicate tea plants can thrive very well. You can clearly taste that in our tea 🍵😺

The Black Ship Festival of Shimoda

Every year in May, the small port town of Shimoda (下田市) hosts the Black Ship Festival (黒船祭 - kurofune matsuri ). This three-day festival is celebrated in commemoration of the arrival of the black steamships (黒船 - kurofune) of the American Commodore Perry in 1853. This is because the arrival of the Americans ended 200 years of Japan's isolation. Traditionally, there is a small parade of the American Marine Corps and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces through the streets of Shimoda. On the shore, there are many small stalls offering fried fish and a variety of shellfish. For example, there are the Japanese scallops or oysters freshly fished from the sea in the morning. Fried squid can also be enjoyed at the stalls. If you want to invest a little more money, you can also go to one of the more expensive restaurants and enjoy the wonderful view of the deep blue sea.

The arrival of the Commodore is re-enacted with extras in period costumes, for which the locals practice again and again for weeks. Finally, there is (and how could it be otherwise for a Japanese festival) a huge fireworks display (花火 - hanabi). If you miss the festival and still want to follow in the historical footsteps of Commodore Perry, you can take a ride on a replica black steamship (without steam but with a normal ship's engine) at the harbor.

Wellness - Yes, Baby!

In Shizuoka there are countless hotels on the coast with gorgeous beaches and turquoise sea. Many hotels or hostels are designed for wellness and offer hot onsen baths. A special tip is the Amagiso Ryōkan in Izu. This beautifully sized hostel offers Japanese-style rooms (和室 - washitsu) and has several onsen baths and pools. The hostel is surrounded by forested green mountains and when you are in the outdoor area of the baths, you can enjoy the sight of a wonderful waterfall while relaxing in the different hot pools. In such surroundings it is truly easy to forget the stress of everyday life.

Conclusion

Shizuoka offers a variety of wonderful destinations. The nature and the coastal location by the sea are very inviting to enjoy the surroundings outside the large urban centers. This is popular with many Japanese tourists, as well as foreign tourists, to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday work. So the next time you're riding the Shinkansen on the Tōkaidō route and wondering what's beyond the green hills of the tea plantations, be sure to plan a long stop and preferably bring your bathing suits. Of course, the swimsuits are for the beach, because you go to the onsen naked 😺 If you want to learn more, be sure to check outour blog article on Japanese bathhouses.

But what about Shizuoka's biggest attraction, Mount Fuji? How to get there and climb it, we'll tell you next time 🗻😺