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Digging deeper into tea in Saitama

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Digging deeper into tea in Saitama

A first-hand look at Sayama green tea cultivation

Saitama Prefecture Products & Tourism Association

In western Saitama Prefecture, tea gardens of the famous Sayama green tea lie across the suburbs of Kawagoe, a castle town with streets reminiscent of the Edo period (1603-1868). Tea production has long been a leading industry in the area; mention of Sayama tea described as a local specialty in some old books indicates that it was already widely known back in the 14th century, when the capital of Japan was Kyoto—far from Saitama.

The distinctive deep, rich flavor of Sayama tea comes from the region's winter being colder than in other major tea-producing areas in Japan. The integrated production, in which tea gardens undertake cultivation, processing, and sales, is another factor that characterizes the products.

The tea harvesting season here begins in late April, which is a little after the cherry blossom bloom. During the season, some tea gardens allow visitors to experience how to pick and process tea leaves. You can also learn the traditional way to make and serve a perfect cup of tea from a tea master and sample tea leaf tempura to broaden your horizons. Get a first-hand look at Sayama tea production, and you will see why green tea has fascinated the Japanese for so long.

How to get there

From Omiya Station, take the Kawagoe Line to Kawagoe Station
(about 25 minutes). It takes about 15 minutes on foot from Kawagoe Station to Honkawagoe Station, then take the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Honkawagoe Station to Iriso Station (about 15 minutes). It takes about 30 minutes on foot from Iriso Station to Miyanoen.

Miyanoen: 25-2 Kitairiso, Sayama-shi, Saitama-ken