石寺の茶畑

The tea plantation in Ishitera is in Wazuka Town, Kyoto Prefecture, a region with over 800 years of tea cultivation history dating to the Kamakura period in the 13th century. The mountainous terrain and climate provide ideal conditions for premium green tea production. "Ishitera" designates a district within Wazuka characterized by terraced tea fields carved into steep hillsides. The area produces Ujicha, the prestigious green tea associated with southern Kyoto's Uji region, with Wazuka supplying a substantial portion of this output.

The Ishitera plantation represents traditional Japanese tea agriculture set within dramatic mountain landscapes. Terraced fields create geometric patterns across hillsides, visible when tea bushes are trimmed into uniform rounded rows. The terracing serves both practical erosion prevention and aesthetic purposes. Tea production sustains local farming families and rural communities. Wazuka tea, including Ishitera's production, supplies high-grade sencha, matcha, and other green tea varieties for domestic consumption and export.

Visitors observe terraced tea fields from mountain road viewpoints winding through plantation areas. The geometric tea rows provide photographic subjects, particularly during misty mornings or the first harvest in May when fields display vibrant green. Some farmers offer farm visits, tea picking experiences, and processing demonstrations through advance arrangements, enabling hands-on participation in traditional tea production. Local tea shops and cafes in Wazuka Town serve regional tea and tea-flavored foods for tasting. Walking paths through plantation areas allow close observation of cultivation practices. The rural agricultural setting offers seasonal landscape changes as tea plants undergo harvest and pruning cycles.

Ishitera tea plantation is approximately 50 to 60 minutes by car from central Kyoto via Route 307 southeast into the mountains. Limited bus service runs from JR Kamo Station or Kintetsu Shin-Tanabe Station to Wazuka Town center, requiring additional transport to plantation areas. Rental cars provide practical access for independent exploration of mountain roads through tea districts. Mountainous terrain and narrow rural roads demand careful driving. Viewing tea fields from public roads is free.