Hidden Gem Saranti Tea Farm Tour and Stylish Cafe Tour with Matcha Gelato – Private Group Tour

5.0
5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 42 reviews)

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 

 

This unique tea tour combines our Hidden Gem Saranti Tea Farm Tour with our Tea Cafe Tour. You will relax at the tea farms hidden in the mountains and visit a local factory while enjoying the beautiful nature. Then, you will have more in-depth Japanese tea experiences and discover the latest Japanese tea trends in Downtown Shizuoka Cityーthe perfect blend of urban and slow lifestyle with few tourists. We recommend this tour for tea lovers and those who look to travel like locals.

Shizuoka Station is only 60 minutes from Tokyo Station and 90 minutes from Kyoto Station by Shinkansen bullet train. With such easy access, you can make a day trip from Tokyo or stop off on your way from Tokyo to Kyoto! For meeting point and time, please check the Additional Information section below.

 

Hidden Gem Saranti Tea Farm Tour      

Hidden Gem Tea Farm in Shizuoka near Tokyo, Japan

Tour Overview:

In the morning, we will take you to the beautiful tea farms hidden in the high mountains of Shizuoka; where  we will walk along the tea bushes with a scenic view, indulge in tea tasting with an unforgettable mountain view, explore the history of this region, visit the tea processing factory, meet the tea farmers, all while obtaining all the tea knowledge you can get!

What to Expect from this experience:

  • Tea tasting of different types of Japanese tea
  • Japanese tea education with Q&A
  • Walking around the tea farm
  • Meeting and talking with tea farmers and factory staff if they are available
  • Tea leaf picking
  • Visit to the tea processing factory
  • Seasonal Japanese confectionery

Stylish Cafe Tour with Matcha Gelato

Hidden Gem Tea Farm and Stylish Tea Cafe Tours in Shizuoka located in between Tokyo, Japan

Tour Overview:

After the tea farm tour, we will take you to Downtown Shizuoka City, where JR Shizuoka Station is located, and will guide you through an unforgettable experience at the tea cafes that showcase both traditional and new & trendy styles of brewing and tasting Japanese tea. You will also have a hands-on tea brewing experience and a chance to taste various types of Japanese tea from all over Japan.

You will have lunch at a local restaurant that we recommend. For dessert, you will have a Japanese tea gelato of your choice!

What to Expect from this experience:

  • Visit to 2 of our favorite tea cafes
  • Hands-on tea brewing experience
  • Tasting of various types of Japanese tea from different regions of Japan
  • Learning about the different styles of brewing and serving Japanese tea—traditional and new trends
  • Japanese tea gelato of your choice: you can select a flavor from Matcha, Hojicha, and more!
  • Lunch at a local, highly recommended restaurant (lunch fee is not included)
  • Walking around Downtown Shizuoka City—the perfect blend of urban and slow lifestyle with few tourists

¥19,000 / person

This private group tour also offers a small group tour option that welcomes solo participants. If you are a solo participant, or your preferred date is unavailable on the calendar above, please check out EVENTS. Our group tours could be a great opportunity to meet fellow tea lovers.

Additional Information:

  • This tour accommodates private groups of 2-4 people.
  • This tour is for guests who are 11 years of age or older. 
  • Due to the seasonal nature of tea farming, the factory is not always operational, but we will still visit there and make tea for you with a tea roaster for you.
  • The places we visit on the Tea Cafe Tour change depending on the date and the season.
  • For lunch, we will suggest some options from our favorite local restaurants for you with the price range included.
  • After the tea farm and factory visit, we will take guests to JR Shizuoka Station by bus. If you would like, we offer a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service from and to JR Shizuoka Station (approx. 30 minutes to the farm). Please find more information in the Meeting Point and Time tab.
  • The price may occasionally be adjusted to continue providing personalized and sustainable tours. For more affordable options, please check our group tours.
  • To avoid missing our emails, please put hello@teacuptrip.com in your contacts. This will stop our emails from being sent to spam. If our emails are not in your inbox, please look in your spam folder and mark them as not spam.

Meeting Point and Time: Please meet Akito at a convenience store named Family Mart near the Saranti Shizuhata Tea Factory at 9:45 pm, 15 minutes before the tour starts.

Show Map on Google Maps

Transportation: It takes about 30 minutes by bus (¥380) or about 20 minutes by taxi (approx. ¥3,000) from JR Shizuoka Station. The bus stop is just 1 minute away from the store.

Pick-up and Drop-off: If you would like, we offer a complimentary pick-up and drop-off service from and to JR Shizuoka Station. The pick-up time is 9:30 am, 30 minutes before the tour starts.

Please review the Location Information

Show map on Google Maps

We will email you detailed information once your booking is confirmed.

Google Maps is helpful to find specific route options and travel time to JR Shizuoka Station or the meeting point, whether by public transportation or car.

  • Please message us to reschedule or cancel this tour 7 days before the tour date for a full refund.

  • No refund will be issued if the cancellation or rescheduling request is submitted after 7 days from the tour date.

  • Guests will also receive a full refund or be offered a different date in case of operator cancellation due to natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances.

  • This tour will go on rain or shine. However, if typhoons or other natural disasters that could affect tour operations are expected in advance, we will email you a cancellation notice by noon the day before your tour.

        I am passionate about tea and especially Japanese tea. Akito did something usually really complicated: he managed to create a connection to the world of Japanese tea farming! He’s a young tea specialist and is really knowledgeable about tea processing, growing and drinking. I had such an amazing time discovering the tea fields, a tea factory and cool tea cafes! I can only recommend this tour to everyone passionate about tea as it will be a fantastic experience. You will learn so many things and also meet the wonderful and friendly Akito. Hope to take this tour again in the future!

        Niels from Switzerland

        Très bonne expérience

        October 4, 2024

        Merci à Akito pour cette journée de découverte. N’étant pas un amateur de thé, je n’avais pas d’attentes particulières mais je suis ravie d’avoir tenté l’expérience. J’ai pu en savoir plus sur le thé et apprécier les dégustations grâce à Akito! Il ne faut donc pas hésiter même si, comme moi, vous n’êtes pas amateur de thé.

        Simon

        Amazing Tour to experience wonderful Shizuoka Tea and great food!

        October 3, 2024

        I absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who want to discover the wonderful tea that can be found in Shizuoka region and also to discover local places. Akito is a fantastic guide who brought us to a lot of different places with explanation and guidances on different aspect, it was very interesting and fun!

        Marie-Pier Desmarais

        Superbe expérience avec une belle découverte du thé japonais

        October 2, 2024

        Nous avons passé une magnifique journée en compagnie de Akito qui nous a expliqué et fait découvrir des thés traditionnel japonais.

        Une expérience convivial et authentique.

        Un grand merci pour cette découverte.

        Je recommande sans hésiter !

        Robin

        Most memorable day of Japan trip!

        September 4, 2024

        My husband and I were lucky enough to spend a day with Akito learning all about tea, seeing the beautiful tea farm, visiting tea cafes we would never have found on our own, eating the most delicious green tea gelato and making a new friend! Everything about the day was perfect and it’s a must do day trip when visiting Japan!

        Thanks Akito for one of the best days of our trip!!

        Lauri

        Lauri Gerson

        An amazing day to discover all about tea in Shizuoka!

        August 29, 2024

        We spent an amazing day with an incredible guide around Shizuoka and the tea farms!

        We started by visiting the farm and talking with the farmer for a bit before visiting the tea processing factory and trying their tea.

        After that, we went to the city to eat in a small but excellent restaurant before visiting a tea shop and tasted a loooot of tea. After that, we have walk around the city, the main hall and learned a lot about the history of the city. We ended this day with a very nice matcha ice cream shop.

        Our guide, Akito, was amazing and answered all of our questions and helped us discover the city duringan amazing day !

        Thank you again for this memorable day 🙂

        HOCHSTAETTER Franck Elise

        Wonderful, enriching Shizuoka tea day trip!

        July 27, 2024

        My fiancé and I had an amazing time on our tea farm tour in Japan! Our guide, Akito, who owns the company, made the whole experience unforgettable. He was so welcoming, passionate, polite, and charismatic.

        Akito took us all around his tea farm, showing us every step of the tea-making process. The factory tour was super interesting, and seeing how much care goes into making great tea was eye-opening.

        One of the best parts was when Akito invited us to his house. It made the tour feel really special and personal. Plus, he took us into the city of Shizuoka to explore the local tea scene, which was awesome!

        This tour was the highlight of our trip to Japan. Akito’s love for tea left us inspired and eager to come back. We can’t recommend this experience enough. Thanks to Akito, we’re already looking forward to our next visit to Japan to dive even deeper into their amazing tea culture.

        If you’re going to Japan and love tea, don’t miss this tour!

        Nancy

        A simply wonderful experience for tea lovers (or just curious) or anyone keen for an authentic experience into Japanese life and culture

        July 5, 2024

        I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend joining Akito on this Tea Cup Trip tour. Whether you are a tea lover, or a complete novice in the world of tea, or simply want to experience something of the ‘real’ Japan beyond the crowded tourist sights, you will have a delightful time. We had a brilliant day with Akito, and every part of it was special. Driving up to his family’s tea farm in the hills above Shizuoka and exploring the tea fields and learning about tea was so insightful. Akito has a genuine passion and depth of knowledge about Japanese tea, and shares it in a very relaxed and friendly manner. We did the full day tour with a great visit to the tea fields, and the tea processing factory, where we learnt a lot. Lunch was incredible. And then visits to two wonderful tea cafes in Shizuoka topped it off. You can’t get this kind of experience by yourself. We found this to be one of our most authentic and rewarding experiences in Japan. Thanks so much Akito!!

        Sarah M

        10/10 would recommend the tours!

        June 27, 2024

        Akito is very knowledgeable and gave us an unforgettable tour with views of a tea farm in the mountains, followed by tea tastings. We toured a tea processing facility, a local tea shop, and a shop that sold tea-flavoured treats. We loved tasting the Hojicha and Matcha ice cream! We left with multiple tea souvenirs and a deeper appreciation for how tea is produced.

        Weiling

        Highly Educational Tour with fantastic host

        May 19, 2024

        Akito-San is a well-informed and very passionate tea head! He was so gracious and I felt so treasured throughout the whole tour. He definitely knows all the right people and all the great spots to take you for the most educational experience. I loved sitting inside the tea factory and being able to taste SO MANY teas! And to meet the people involved in the process and to see the tea fields was…a long-time dream come true for me. Akito-San is a wealth of tea knowledge, and it was wonderful to encounter a Japanese person who is working to preserve some of the best (if I say so myself) tea culture this world has to offer. Highly, highly recommend to any tea enthusiast or tea head looking to further their (tea) education!

        Noelle Locke

        Such an informative and fun tour!

        May 13, 2024

        We had such a wonderful time learning about Shizuoka, tea farming, and tea. From the moment that Akito san picked us up from the train station, we had such a great time! We visited a tea farm, learned about (and drank) delicious tea at the farm, and learned about tea processing at the factory. We happened to be visiting on a tea harvesting day so we got to see a lot of local farmers drop off their tea at the factory and watch the beginning of the process! After a delicious lunch, we got to explore Shizuoka and learn more about the town. We started off with more tea at a local cafe (that was also very cute!) and try more types of tea. As with any great day, we topped off the day with some ice cream! This was such a great day trip from Tokyo – I’d highly recommend this tour!

        Deshika

        Most Memorable Part of My Trip

        May 8, 2024

        The tea tour led by Akita-san was by far the highlight of my one month stay in Japan. To preface, I came into the tour completely blind, since it was booked by my girlfriend and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Without getting into all the details, all I can say is that the entire tour was amazing, well curated, and entirely worth the time and money to visit Shizuoka. I’d even argue that this tour is reason alone to visit the city, which by the way is incredible and very charming. I even saw Fuji-san for the very first time. Akito-san is friendly and super knowledgeable about tea and very enthusiastic to share his knowledge about tea and the city with you. Everything about the tour was great and I’ll be recommending it to any of my friends planning on visiting Japan. I hope to visit again soon! 5 stars!

        Allen

        Highlight of our trip

        May 7, 2024

        This tour was the highlight of our trip. We learned and experienced so much about tea.

        The tour takes you to an active tea farm and factory where you learn about how it’s grown and processed, and the different types of tea.

        You’ll be taken to have lunch at a local restaurant before going on a walking tour around Shizuoka.

        Akito is very knowledgeable when it comes to tea and is very eager to share his knowledge with you.

        I would recommend (and will) this tour to anyone who is looking for something more than the typical tourist things.

        Keola

        A must do for your visit to Japan!

        May 4, 2024

        We had an amazing time on our tour! We would definitely recommend a visit.

        Akito taught us a lot about the process of tea farming, production and brewing, both on the farm we visited, as well as on other stops on the tour.

        This tour will give you beautiful views, good food and sweets, and of course lots great tea 🍵

        Akito was such a nice and thoughtful guide and he was happy to answer all our other questions about Japanese culture.

        Emmy and Emilia

        My Favourite Day of our Japan Trip

        May 2, 2024

        We had an amazing day with Akito touring the farm and tasting teas! We had many opportunities throughout the day to try a variety of teas and learn more about japanese tea production and the Shizuoka prefecture. He was incredibly kind, very knowledgeable, and so very patient with all of our questions. The day was very well paced and both engaging and relaxed. It was easily one of the highlights of our trip to Japan and I would not hesitate to recommend the tour to family and friends!

        Herman

        Beautifully Unique Experience

        May 1, 2024

        This is one of the best things I did while in Japan. Akito was kind, informative and planned a very unique and fun day for us. The location of the tea field is picturesque and breathtaking. We tasted and learned about many different type of teas. After the tour I hung around in downtown for a bit as there are many cute shops and cafes. Thank you Akito for this amazing experience.

        Mona B

        Absolutely amazing tour!

        April 16, 2024

        Akito is a vast wealth of knowledge, and truly exceptional guide. The entire tour felt like a green magic carpet ride 🍵

        From tea farm to tea garden, traversing the beautiful Shizuoka countryside and trying so many wonderful delicacies – the entire experience was unforgettable!

        Gian

        Beautiful views of mountain tea farms

        April 11, 2024

        Akito is very passionate about the cultivation and drinking of green tea. He is also very accommodating to his guests.

        We arranged to meet at Shizuoka Station and then he drove us to mountain side tea farm and tea processing center where we served some excellent locally grown tea. The day of the tour it did rain, but he did not let the rain dampened the experience. The view from the tea farm overlooking the fields of tea and onto Shizuoka City in the distance is a site I will not forget. The clouds added extra layers to this view.

        The tour continued on a couple cafes in Shizuoka City. The tea tastings were great as he guided us through the different types of green tea. He would explain the differences between the teas.

        This is a strong recommendation for anyone that enjoys green tea and wants to learn more.

        Don Murray

        🍵🌱🍵 From Leaves to Cups 🍵🌱🍵

        April 8, 2024

        Akito is an excellent tour guide who is both passionate and knowledgeable. His tours will bring you to places inaccessible to most people and reveal the intricacies of the generations-old Shizuoka tea industry. Akito does an excellent job describing the process of tea farming and how each aspect affects the taste of the tea. Each cup of tea brewed during the tour highlights a different element of the tea making process. And most importantly, All the tea and treats provided were delicious. My sister and I especially loved the strawberry daifuku accompanied by the freshly roasted hojicha.

        My favorite part was visiting the tea farm. The drive up to the mountainside farms will show you a different perspective of Japan, far away from the busy streets of Tokyo and into the quiet hills of the Shizuoka countryside. The mossy brick walls remind you of delicate bars of matcha chocolate and the air is filled with the soft rustling of bamboo and tea leaves.

        Whether out in the countryside farms or in the cafes of Shizuoka city, this tour is an exceptional way to experience an aspect of Japan that is often disregarded. Akito’s passion for green tea is contagious. If you’re not a tea lover, this tour will make you one by the end. Thank you Akito!

        Justin Emily from Canada

        Learned a Lot About Tea and Shizuoka!

        April 3, 2024

        Great tour guide. Akito gave a great presentation about the different types of tea as well as the process of making tea. He also showed us a great soba restaurant for lunch and even showed us around the city. He was a great tour guide!

        Tina

        Fun and education tour!

        March 28, 2024

        This was an amazing experience. Meeting Akito at the JR Station was easy and smooth. We first drove up to the tea farm in the mountains and learned about the history and structure of the farm. We then went to the tea factory and got to try many types of tea, including freshly roasted hojicha, and learned about tea manufacturing. Akito also gave us a tour of the tea factory machines. We then went to an excellent restaurant for lunch that he recommended. Afterwards, we got to do more tea tasting and learn about modern tea trends. The store he took us to was delightful and not something we would have been able to find on our own. Finally, we got tasty matcha gelato to cap off a wonderful day. Akito is truly an expert on tea, and answered all of our many questions. Would definitely recommend this tour to tea novices and tea lovers alike!

        Preeti

        AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!

        March 27, 2024

        We went to Akito’s tour with my girlfriend and it was one of the most memorable experiences from our trip! He first shows you and explains many aspects of the tea farming in Shizuoka and shows you the tea farm from above admiring the beautiful landscape and scenery with it. He then carefully explained us and let us try different teas in the factory trying to explain the different methods and tastes for each. After you can enjoy other tea tasting in the tea shops. Akito is a wonderful guide and would recommend to everyone who wants to learn and love Japanese tea or simply wants to explore more about one of the Japanese delicacies such as green tea. Thanks Akito for everything and we hope we can comeback soon!

        Carlos Salgado Giada Gennaccaro

        A great experience to embark into an old cultural heritage of Japan and the best way to taste a variety of Japanese teas.

        March 26, 2024

        First we went up the mountains in order to have an amazing view over the tea fields. The day I went, the fog in the mountains created a mystical atmosphere. Afterwards we headed to the tea factory and were introduced to the production of tea, tea cultivars and tea benefits through a presentation. At one point I stopped counting how many amazing teas I was able to taste! The matcha ice cream is also a must try! I can only warmly recommend everyone to embark on this journey into the world of teas! Also, the host (Akito) was really nice, so you can feel free to ask him anything or just have a nice chat with him!

        Kathleen from Germany

        Phenomenal tea learning and cultural experience

        March 16, 2024

        This was the best thing we did on our entire 2-week trip!!! Akito is a superb, deeply knowledgeable teacher and connoisseur. He taught us so much about Japanese tea – and we were so engaged and fascinated from the beginning to the end. The tour is the most perfect mix of farm, factory, and cafe experiences. We tasted several extraordinary teas and gained a profound appreciation for the tea, history, and growing and manufacturing processes after learning from Akito. If you are even a little bit curious about tea (or even someone who is into coffee and beer and likes learning about beverages) I highly recommend this tour. Akito could not have been more hospitable and he has a real talent for teaching and guiding. This is worth a special trip but also works well as an intermediate stop in between Tokyo and Kyoto. Thank you so much Akito!

        Arielle F.

        Amazing tour

        December 22, 2023

        Booked a tour while visiting Japan as I always loved tea. Akito is a great guide that goes above and beyond to not only show a beautiful tea farm but also get a deeper appreciation of Japanese tea as a whole. I would definitely recommend anyone interested in tea make a day trip to Shizuoka for this tour.

        LeeAnne

        AMAZING - Best tea experience in Japan

        November 30, 2023

        We had an incredible experience with Akito, there are not enough words to describe how this experience completely surpassed our already high expectations about the Japanese Tea world. Akito’s work inside the tea ecosystem in Shizuoka is completely fascinating, he has been able to build experiences that are truly unique. From beautiful tea farm landscapes to the best tea tasting, you’ll see everything about the tea world in Japan. And of course, the highlight of the tour is Akito himself, what a pleasure to meet him, his passion and ikigai around the tea world is truly admirable. Would take this tour on every trip to Japan, this is a real gem and a must if you visit Japan. Thank you Akito for your kindness and for this unforgettable experience.

        Joaquin Daniela

        Very personal tour through Shizuoka's tea culture

        November 22, 2023

        Akito is a wonderful guide and, as a certified tea expert, provides a very personal and in-depth experience into everything tea related that Shizuoka has to offer. From growing tea, to processing tea, to preparing and consuming tea, the extended tour will go into every detail. You will also get a brief tour through Shizuoka, including walking outside the old castle grounds and having a chance at seeing Mt. Fuji from the government building’s top floor during a good day. Akito’s wonderfully warm personality makes this tour especially wonderful and he makes sure to take his time with any question you might have! Since he will personally drive you around and bring you to the tea plantations in the mountains, spaces are extremely limited and the tour feels very exclusive and intimate. Highly recommended and be sure to book early!

        Tim

        Absolutely incredible tour!!

        November 21, 2023

        Akito was super knowledgable and answered all of our questions! We learned so much about Japanese tea, how it’s grown, the different factors that affect flavor and preparation. We even learned a bunch of different things you can use used tea leaves for! Thank you so much for the amazing tour!

        Waverly

        Our best tea experience in Japan

        November 16, 2023

        The tea tour with Akito was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. We booked the full day tour which gave us a great overview of Japanese tea culture from processing and traditional drinking to the modern third wave (think sencha expresso & matcha ice cream). Akito speaks very good English and it was a pleasure to explore Shizuoka and the tea farm right outside the city with him. The itinerary is relaxed, we at no point had the feeling of being rushed. Akito takes time to answer questions and make interesting conversation. He is a certified tea instructor and very knowledgeable on all things tea & Japan. Without hesitation, we also recommended the tour to friends visiting Japan who are also into tea.

        Laura Theo

        We fell in love - with Shizuoka!

        November 9, 2023

        This is surely the most thorough tour we’ve ever done! Within 6 hours we learned and experienced so much with all our five senses.

        From getting to know the rural side of Japan, over the nice views over Shizuoka, to the tea tastings and the stroll through the town – every moment was fascinating.

        It didn’t feel like a set tour at all. Akito has a nice pace of introducing, explaining and showing things and does it in a very personal and individual way. No question was left unanswered and he himself is very eager to learn about other cultures, too.

        The people at the places we visited were also very kind and welcoming. They gave us some unforgettable moments and served the most delicious food and tea! If you like fish, Shizuoka has one of the freshest to offer!

        Shizuoka is indeed a gem hidden in plain sight on the way from Tokyo to Kyoto.

        A slower, more relaxed pace and practically no tourists. Just get off here and give it a try.

        If you like tea, you will love this tour❣️

        あきと、いつもどうもありがとうございました。^_^

        Tamar and Guido

        Great experience and insight into Shizuoka and local tea culture

        October 19, 2023

        I truly consider this tour to be among my best, if not the best experience I have had during my trip to Japan. Akito was extremely friendly and knowledgeable, showing an obvious passion for tea. He offered rich insights into both the intricate production process and the cultural significance of tea in Shizuoka and throughout Japan.

        The tea farm in the mountains is a real hidden gem and during the tour I was able to taste many different varieties of tea at a local tea shop. Additionally we had lunch at a local specializing in fish where I had delicious tuna sashimi and finished the tour with some matcha gelato.

        I really can’t recommend this tour enough, every moment was a treasure.

        Björn

        Truly a Hidden Gem

        October 7, 2023

        This entire experience fully met and exceeded our expectations! The tea farm up on the mountains was truly a hidden gem that needed to be experienced firsthand as it offered some of the most magnificent views. Being able to see how tea is harvested and where it comes from allowed me to have a greater appreciation for Japanese green tea. Akito is a friendly and charming individual who has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Japanese tea. During the tour, he went through the entire tea-making process and taught us how to properly brew and enjoy Japanese green tea. Not only did we learn about tea, but also learned about the other beauties that Shizuoka has to offer! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wishes to learn more about Japanese tea and is in the Shizuoka area!

        Logan Nicole

        Great introduction to the world of tea

        October 6, 2023

        Thank you Akito for a great day full of wonders of tea. A wholesome tea experience; we learned a lot of the origins of tea and enjoyed the contemporary tea culture as well. Akito is a knowledgeable and friendly guide, we couldn’t have asked for more.

        Hanne and Marius

        Perfect Japan experience - lovely guide

        September 25, 2023

        This tour was absolutely amazing. We saw the tea fields and learned about the plant and its growing conditions. Akito was so lovely and comprehensively explained everything. He tailored his explanations to our interests, and we could get all the questions answered that arose during the day.

        The tour had a good balance between knowledge transfer, tea tasting, and hands-on experience.

        Apart from the tour, we wanted to highlight the lunch restaurant we chose, the Sashimi place, where we had one of the best meals in Japan. The chef came to our table and prepared a kind of Sushi roll in front of us. The fresh tuna was incredible and worth every penny.

        After all, we gained a lot of insight into tea production and the different ways it can be enjoyed. We also got many fantastic recommendations for the area (onsen, shopping, etc.).

        It was an incredible day and probably our favorite experience in Japan. We will never forget this day. Thank you!

        Anna

        Excellent

        September 16, 2023

        Excellent combination of tea related activities. We loved the opportunity to

        Visit a tea farm and factory as well as the cafes. We would recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys tea!

        Melissa Luer

        Memorable and educational

        September 13, 2023

        I highly recommend taking the Tea Cup Trip tour! It was one of the most memorable parts of my first trip to Japan. This tour allows you to learn and see firsthand the production process from the farm to the factory, and taste diverse green teas produced in local regions. This tour also takes you to a landscape in Shizuoka that is beautiful and inspiring to see.

        Ethan K

        A day in Shizouka

        May 27, 2023

        We had such a lovely day in Shizuoka with Akito! Akito was kind to explain us everything abt Japanese teas! He showed us around Shizuoka- his hometown- introduced us to a great soba place and many other things! Thank you so much for all the information and kindness! Hope to see you again when we are in Japan!

        Wout Elise

        Response from Tea Cup Trip

        Thank you for choosing to join us! I’m delighted to hear that you not only enjoyed the tea farm but also exploring downtown Shizuoka and having the saba noodles. If you have any questions about tea or Japan, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m looking forward to having a tea with you two when you come back again!

        Akito

        Highly recommend!

        May 20, 2023

        Akito san is an AMAZING host! Super accommodating, friendly, and easy to talk to. If you’re a tea lover and looking for things to do in Shizuoka, I highly recommend this experience!

        Kimmy

        Response from Tea Cup Trip

        Thank you so much for joining the tour and for your kind words! It was a pleasure to have you on our tour. I’m. As a fellow tea lover, it was wonderful to share my passion for Shizuoka and its tea culture with you. I hope to have tea with you again. Let’s eep in touch! – Akito

        What an amazing day

        May 18, 2023

        The “Hidden Gem Tea Farm and Stylish Cafe Tour with Matcha Gelato – Private Tour“ was just amazing! We learned a lot about cultivation and processing of tea plants and tasted different facets of Japanese tea. The recommendation for lunch was superb and we are very thankful for this great place. The tea espresso and matcha gelatto were intense tasting experiences we would definitively not have discovered without the tour. In addition, Akito-san is a very kind and well organized person. You can feel his passion for tea and the Shizuoka region which made the tour very entertaining.

        Highly recommended!

        Mathias and Laura

        Response from Tea Cup Trip

        Thanks so much for joining the tour today! I had an amazing day with you two! Enjoy your rest of your trip and share something about Japanese tea with your family and friends. And enjoy tonkotsu ramen in Fukuoka for me:) – Akito

        The highlight of our 3 week trip through Japan

        April 29, 2023

        The tour was the highlight of our 3 week trip through Japan. Akito is extremely knowledgable and has answered our many questions about tea and Japanese culture in general. We have brought different kinds of green tea with us back to Germany and I would love to come back, soon! We can recommend this experience without any doubt and have already sent the contact details to several of our friends also travelling to Japan this year.

        Our 6 hr tour:

        – pick-up from Shizuoka station (we put our large backpacks in coin lockers)

        – 20 min drive to the green tea plantation on the mountain side

        – amazing view over the tea plantation and an tea ceremony

        – visit of the local tea farmers’ factory -> we had the great honor of tasting freshly produced tea!

        – lunch at a very tasty restaurant with typical Japanese food

        – Matcha ice cream and the opportunity for matcha-based sweets

        – tea tasting of several different kinds of teas at a modern and stylish tea shop

        – learning about pouring green tea correctly at the International foundation for Japanese green tea

        – back to Shizuoka train station

        Tania

        Response from Tea Cup Trip

        Thanks so much for joining Hidden Gem Tea Farm and Stylish Cafe Tour! I hope you enjoyed more onsen and food before going back to Germany. I had a wonderful day, having tea with you, talking about Japan and Germany. I appreciate for sharing the tour information here and your recommendations to your friends! I will be happy to run a tour for them, and I look forward to seeing you again! – Akito

        A truly memorable experience that I would recommend to all!

        November 1, 2019

        Wonderful tour by Akito! He gave us much insight on the entire tea process from the growing, to the harvesting and processing, to the brewing, and even a glimpse into the modern take and future evolution of what tea consumption might be. He walked us through the background stories at the different points and also explained the science behind why things are done in various ways. A truly memorable experience that I would recommend to all! Thank you Akito.

        Myron Tay

        If you love tea or just want to learn more about tea, this is definitely the tour to take.

        October 20, 2019

        I had a great time visiting the tea farm and visiting local tea shops with Akito. We ended up spending almost a whole day of him showing me around Shizuoka and teaching me everything about the tea making process. He clearly cares a great deal about local teas and tea culture, and I think what they are doing is great. If you love tea or just want to learn more about tea, this is definitely the tour to take.

        Harrison

        I was in my tea heaven

        December 10, 2018

        I loved this tour. Everything was so well organized. And we enjoyed so many things and got new information about Japanese green tea.

        It was nice to see farmers, in action and visit a local home.

        And all those lovely tea places in Shizuoka… I was in my tea heaven.

        Thank you guys! You made my dream come true.

        Ps. There is a story, my pics and my video on my blog (which is in Finnish) ->

        menaiset.fi/akito

        Annakaisa

        Response from Tea Cup Trip

        Thank you very much for attending our tour! It is a great honor to know to that we contributed to your dream. Please enjoy Japanese tea and spread the beauty of Japanese tea in Finland! – Akito