We had an amazing day with beautiful scenery and delicious tea. Akito and Kyoko were great hosts, that made us feel welcome and taught us a lot about the world of tea. Highly recommend!

If you want to learn about Japanese tea this is the best tour you can possibly book! We were picked up at the train station directly and drove around 30 mins to a private tea farm. Akito shared his full knowledge about tea with us. We were able to ask all our questions and got learn everything about the growing, harvesting and production of green tea. We were able to try the tea directly from this farm and later went to the fabric to see how the leaves are being processed. Besides learning a lot and getting to see something you otherwise wouldn’t be able to, Akito is also the nicest host you can imagine.

We will definitely recommend this to any friends and family of ours coming to Japan!

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!

It was such a delight to escape the busy cities and take the tour. The views were breath-taking and we were grateful to be guided to places we could not otherwise visit on our own. Akito is so friendly and knowledgable about the tea, always happy to answer any curious question. In such a short time, you realize how much work is behind the delicious cup of tea we can enjoy and we even learned a few new ways of enjoying the Japanese tea. We would recommend the tour to both the experienced tea lovers and those who are just about to discover it. It made us more confident when visiting a few tea houses later during our travel in Japan.

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.

On our two week trip through Japan we used Akito’s ‘teacuptrip’ to learn about tea. On top of that we met a kind local and had a fantastic time. Can highly recommend his tour to a tea farm, tea tasting and tea company.

We joined the 2.5 hours tour, and we really enjoyed it. The tour started with the incredible views of the tea fields at the top of the mountains in Shizuoka, to continue at the tea factory with a very informative explanation about all the process from taking care of the tea plants to how to brew a delicious cup of tea.

Time flew talking with the friendly Akito san, who is very knowledgeable and passionate about tea!

We recommend 100% this tour and we hope to do it again around May next year to be able to pick up tea leaves and to be able to see the factory running ( tea harvesting has its own timing and we joined the tour too late, in Summer).

My boyfriend and I flew in from Hawaii and happened to stumble across this farm on Google, and we’re so glad we did! We selected the option to get picked up at Shizuoka Station, and the instructions of how to get to the meeting spot was so easy to follow. Akito was already there waiting for us by the time we got there (10 minutes prior to our set pick-up time).

It was a 20-25 minute drive up to the mountain and Akito gave us a little drive by tour of the town, we learned so much! When we got to top of the farm, the view was so worth it! It’s a kind of view that you need to see it in person. Akito set up a little spot to hang out and drink different types of tea, it was so thoughtful and cute! Next, we headed over to the factory which it was good timing because the factory was processing some tea! It was so amazing to see and the whole factory smelled wonderful! We got a chance to buy some of the factory’s tea and I love that we were able to see how the tea was made, it makes it much more meaningful when we drink it.

Akito dropped us off at the bottom of the mountain to the bus station, and I swear the timing was planned flawlessly. We literally got dropped off, walked across the street and our bus that we were supposed to take was there. Everything was planned out so well! All of my expectations have been surpassed. I will recommend this tour to anyone that is going to Japan! It’s a one of a kind experience and unique.

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!

Our tea trip was a highlight of our travels in Japan. Akito was our friendly & knowledgeable host, he walked us through a well-built story: from seeing the beautiful views of the farm, to tasting the teas in this scenery, and visiting the processing factory. He kept us engaged the whole time, and taught us a lot about the historical, cultural, technical aspects of tea production. You could tell he was very invested in giving a great experience. We were even welcomed with Hungarian flags in the factory. Thanks for the trip, we can wholeheartedly recommend it.

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!

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!

We had an amazing private tea tour with Akito! He drove us to the top of a very picturesque mountaintop tea farm whilst discussing all things #japanesetea. So beautiful! Elderly but hardcore tea farmers (during tea harvests they can work up to 20 hours a day for two to three weeks straight) even put in a working guest appearance and laughed so much at my desire to return some day for totally clueless but muscled help getting in the tea: what fun!

My wife and I consider ourselves tea-nerds, but our tea acumen mostly encompasses Taiwanese, Anxi and Dan Cong oolongs, dragonwell and puehr. We learned so much about Japanese tea- but not too much… Akito is clearly passionate about tea and deftly balances both education and enjoyment, with a side of tea conservation.

We had a really great day and would do it again (and again).

Thank you, Akito,

Jay and Janelle

Amazing and enlightening tour; we had a super cool experience with Akito. He is a serious tea lover and has great knowledge about the tea world. We chose this trip because we wanted to understand how the tea world works all the way from farm to table as well as tasting. We have no regrets! Our journey started with a short drive from Shizuoka to the tea fields, with astonishing views of the valley and fields along the way. Akito is very knowledgeable and carefully explained all the process. From how the farmers work, to how the tea is picked and its different harvest seasons. After walking around, Akito set up a picnic in the middle of the fields for tea tasting; he explained different brewing methods, how the taste changes in accordance and how to give the tea a twist, like home roasting. After that nice break, we headed to the tea factory, where we learned about the manufacturing process. We saw first hand how the leaves are steamed, dried and rolled for packing.

Akito is a super host, giving us lengthy and informed explanations, answering all of our questions. He is a true tea lover!

We enjoyed a lot our tour : it was more than we expected ! The fields were astonishing of beauty, the tea testing and all the explanations on something we thought we already knew were greatly appreciated. The kindness and attention of our guide made this a very special day (april 2023) that we will always remember.

We set out to Shizuoka prefecture to learn more about tea, specifically about the work that goes into producing it and the people who make it, and this tour delivers on that! Akito took us to the Shizuhata tea farm and Saranti factory and walked us through the whole process of production, from the plant to the teacup. He clearly has a deep passion for tea, and was able to answer all of our questions without hesitation, whether about the risks to the plants from weather and climate, the different tea “terroirs”, the economic difficulties for farmers selling tea, or even about the international market! And of course, his explanations of the differents steps in the factory process, that emulate the steps of traditional hand-rolling techniques were very clear.

The experience of drinking tea right there in the tea fields was particularly special, experiencing different ways of drinking sencha (cold-brew, multiple infusions of a warm brew and genmaicha), with explanations of the science behind the brewing of tea, and how different method change its flavour profile. But most important for us was the personal relationship Akito had with all the people at Shizuhata, who he is clearly close to. This is not the kind of tour where you ever feel like you are intruding, or stepping on anyone’s toes as they are going through their day. Everyone at Shizuhata was comfortable with Akito’s presence and were incredibly welcoming to us! We really enjoyed talking to all of them, especially the immensely personable Kyoko-san.

All in all, a unique experience I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about tea, enjoying wonderful landscapes and meeting some lovely people!

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

What a wonderful tour! Our green tea experience was exceptional and worth every penny. Akito is so passionate and knowledgeable about green tea, extremely well organized and made the tour unforgettable. From the pick up at the station to exploring the plantations, drinking tea together, visiting the local factory and talking about the history and science behind green tea, we got what we were looking for and more. Akito is also full of energy, humour and candor, and you’ll love spending time with him. If you want to explore a deeply authentic place at the heart of Japanese green tea and its farming community, look no further! Shoutout to the green tea factory staff as well who welcomed us so warmly and showed us around.

I fully recommend this tour to anybody with an interest in tea, and who would prefer a genuine personal tour away from tourist trappings. Akito is the perfect guide on a trip that takes you into the mountains with breath-taking scenery to see the tea plantations and factory. His friendliness, knowledge and excellent English combine for a thoroughly enjoyable day to see and learn about this key tea growing area. Akito was also super-helpful with travel directions to and from the visit, which is easily accessible from Tokyo.

It’s my great experience to take Akito’s tour. He’s so knowledgeable and kind. We really enjoy the tour. Recommend everyone who has a passion in tea to take Akito’s tour. You would not regret at all. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Wow, just finished my tour with Akito and it was awesome. He is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, I have never had such an amazing tour before.

We got to visit the tea farm and the factory. Learned a lot in a very short amount of time. Thankful that he let me join!

It was really great to spend time and meet Akito. He is very kind and has a great knowledge of tea manufacturing. He takes the time to explain everything. We had a wonduerful time. Also the tea was excellent !! Much recommended if you come along Shizuoka.

Today we had a tea tour in Shizuoka with Akito @eswakito. It was a relaxing experience and I had an awesome time whilst learning a lot of new things. Akito is a really friendly person and the whole tour gives off more of “an old friend telling you all about his expertise” like vibe, rather than a tour guide just showing you around 🙂

Be sure to take a day and visit Shizuoka and Akitos tea tour.

I bought this experience as a wedding present for my sister and husband-in-law. They had the most wonderful time and the location and views looked stunning. Akito is an incredible host and so kind and welcoming. He even gave them a wedding gift! Akito was also really flexible in letting us select a date after the booking. I can’t recommend this experience enough 🙂

This tea farm experience was one of the best experiences my friends and I had while traveling throughout Japan. Akito was knowledgeable, accommodating, and personable. The location of the farm and views overlooking the tea farm & city were magical and would not have been possible without Akito’s wonderful experience! He taught us so much about green tea and had us craving more tea when we got home. Highly recommend to anyone interested in tea, a serene and calm getaway from the bustling city, great views, or a unique IG moment.

A truly memorable experience that I would recommend to all! Akito 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.

Today was the experience of a lifetime for my partner and I! If you are visiting Japan or the Tokyo area, I strongly recommend making the trip out to Shizuoka for this experience with Akito – it is worth its weight in gold. Upon meeting us, Akito was very hospitable and truly made us feel welcome and at home for the entire duration of our trip. He is wonderfully conversational and was sensitive to ensuring any/all of our needs were met. The drive itself to the farm was beautiful and Akito offered many opportunities for us to take photos (and also offered to take some photos of my partner and me together!). We were privileged in getting to taste high quality, fresh tea straight from the farm while admiring the scenery. The most special part of this experience was the fact that the three of us were the only ones on the farm – I can’t think of any other experiences where you have exclusive access and one-on-one time to truly develop a personal relationship with your guide. Akito is very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions happily and with ease. We learned an incredible amount from him not just about tea, but about Japanese culture in general. Lastly, Akito also went through the trouble of recommending to us some other places we should visit while in the area, and also other areas of Japan. He is a wonderfully friendly individual – we will miss him dearly!

We had an amazing tour with Akito. This is an incredibly unique and once in a lifetime experience to visit the tea farms of Shizuoka, taste more variations of matcha then you knew possible, see some truly incredible sites and meet wonderful people. Akito was an amazing host who knew so much and made us feel so welcome. I would strongly recommend this tour when you visit Shizuoka – it’s a fantastic experience.

I had the most wonderful tea tour with Akito! My two friends and I got to learn all about the tea farms in Shizuoka. We toured a beautiful farm in the area, the views were absolutely breathtaking. We also got to interact with some of the local farmers. Akito then gave us a tasting of various teas that were delicious while explaining the different histories and techniques for making tea. Akito was extremely knowledgeable on the tea industry and he was such a polite and pleasant host! Out of everything I did during my two weeks in Japan, this tea tour was easily my FAVORITE experience!

Highly recommend this experience. It was truly magical. Already planning future trips to visit Akito and the tea farm with additional guests this Spring!

What an amazing once in a lifetime experience this was. Thanks all to Akito!!! He’s the most graciously generous host who allowed me to experience something I couldn’t possibly have done without him. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves tea or simply wants to experience something special while in Japan. Arigato Gozaimasu Akito 😊😎🇯🇵 🍵🍃

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.

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.

What an experience. What an experience! The tea bushes are nestled on a beautiful mountain side in Shizuoka. It was breath taking looking up — and breath taking looking down! Akito is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and did a fantastic job explaining tea culture. From the farmers to processing, from the culture around tea and its slow disappearance, the entire presentation was compelling. We ended drinking green tea and getting a lesson about harvesting, brewing, etc. It was amazing. I don’t want to go too in depth because really, even if you’re not a super tea drinker, this is still an a worthwhile experience. It feels really special and unique, but also educational. You get to see the beauty of Shizuoka, Japan, and the work that goes into bringing tea to the table.

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