Matcha is everywhere in the news lately, in both positive and negative ways. On the positive side, the powdered green tea has done amazing soft power work, increasing already off-the-charts interest in Japan as a travel destination.
On the negative side, it seems like there are legitimate supply shortages, both from the consumption generated by the matcha boom, and potentially even as a result of climate change.
Irrespective of news and fads, matcha is as much an experience as it is a beverage. This is especially the case if you visit a matcha farm in Japan, many of which are within day-trip distance of Kyoto.
Wazuka is Hiding in Plain Sight
Whether or not you’ve ever thought of taking a Kyoto tea farm tour, I doubt you’ve grasped just how close to Kyoto Wazuka-cho (the town that hosts most of the farms) is. Well, at least in terms of distance. It’s only about 30 km (~18 miles) from Kyoto Station, and only about half that distance from Uji Station. Unfortunately, it’s not easily accessible by public transportation, though I’ll talk more about that in just a second.
Indeed, tours of matcha plantations don’t tend to be exorbitantly priced. As a result, you can spend evenings in your hotel room enjoying real money gaming without having to spend all your earnings on an excursion. While transportation (be that a rental car, a taxi or a tour vehicle) might slightly increase the price you pay, you can rest assured that most of your winnings will be yours to keep.
5 Things to Know About Visiting a Kyoto Matcha Plantation
The tea farms are in Uji City
Matcha farms are in Kyoto-fu, i.e. Kyoto Prefecture. However, they are technically located in the city of Uji, which is itself about 30 minutes from Kyoto Station on the JR Nara Line. I’ll talk more about Uji City in just a minute, but generally speaking, I consider it to be a separate destination from Kyoto.
(But not really)
Adding perhaps another layer of complication is that fact that no tea farm near Kyoto is in the urban center of Uji, i.e. Uji-shi. Rather, they are located in the town of Wazuka (Wazuka-cho), an extremely rural area just over the mountains to the south and east of Uji-proper.
You’ll need your own set of wheels
As the crow flies, Wazuka isn’t very far, neither from Kyoto nor from Uji. Unfortunately, you can’t ride there on a crow’s back—and you can’t even take public transport all the way. If you aren’t comfortable with the idea of renting a car in Japan, you’ll need to hire a taxi at Uji Station; this will cost ~¥10,000 one-way. (TIP: Just rent the car!)
(Or a guided tour)
The completely effortless way to visit a Kyoto tea farm is to book an organized matcha tour. This will not only take care of transportation, but will ensure you aren’t left holding the bag when you get to the farm. Or rather, that you are holding the bag, presuming that you wish to pick tea.
Uji City is also worth visiting
Uji City obviously doesn’t have any farms, but it’s got a whole lot else. From stunning Byodo-in (the temple on the back of the ¥10 coin) to the gorgeous waterfront of the Uji River, you won’t get bored here. Plus, there’s plenty of Matcha paraphernalia, from shops and restaurants along Byodo-in Omotesando, to the Chazuna Tea Museum.
Other Places in Japan to Visit Tea Farms
Kyoto is the easiest place in Japan to visit tea farms, but it’s not the only one. Here are a few of my other favorite places in Japan to see tea fields:
- Shizuoka: Whether at Obuchi Sasaba near Mt. Fuji, or in slightly less scenic locales, Shizuoka-ken is the top producer of green tea in Japan, apart from Kyoto.
- Kagoshima: You won’t see any satsuma oranges exploring the Satsuma Peninsula, but the tea fields of Ei (with Mt. Kaimondake rising above them) are nothing if not stunning.
- Saitama: If you want to visit a tea farm without having to leave Tokyo, a day trip to Miyano-en in Sayama City, Saitama prefecture is probably your best bet.
Also, keep in mind that whether or not you visit a Kyoto matcha farm, you can buy high-quality Uji matcha almost anywhere in Japan, including upon departure from the airport.
Other FAQ About Your Kyoto Tea Farm Visit
What tea is Kyoto known for?
Kyoto is known for Uji matcha, which is some of the highest quality powdered green tea in Japan. Beyond this, Kyoto is perhaps the best place in Japan to enjoy a tea ceremony guided by a Geisha, which is the most traditional way to enjoy the beverage.
Can I visit a matcha farm in Japan?
You can visit a matcha farm in Japan somewhat easily, especially keeping in mind that many are day trip distance from Kyoto. However, due to minimal public transportation, you should plan on either renting a car or booking an organized tour in order to reach the farms.
Where is the best matcha grown in Japan?
Broadly speaking, Japan’s best matcha is known to be either in Shizuoka prefecture (specifically the areas just south of Mt. Fuji) and in Uji City near Kyoto. However, it’s not uncommon to see tea fields all throughout Japan; you can also buy matcha just about anywhere.
The Bottom Line
Want to visit a Matcha farm in Japan? They’re accessible to most tourists, with several within day-trip distance of Kyoto. However, some obstacles do exist—namely, that because of the specific location of most green tea farms, you’ll either need to rent a car or book an organized tour. If you can get past these barriers, then I think you’ll find visiting a tea farm is an extremely special experience, at least on par with a tea ceremony (which you can also enjoy in Kyoto). Need personalized help integrating a tea plantation visit into your next trip to Japan? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
