Murakami Tea Garden, Shizuoka

Murakami Tea Garden sits at an elevation of 350 meters on a mountainside in the Yoshiwara district of Shizuoka City, one of Japan's most distinguished tea-producing regions. The family farm has been operating since the late 19th century, when the current operator's great-grandfather built the first processing factory. Now approaching its fourth generation under Hiroki Murakami, the estate represents over a century of traditional Japanese tea cultivation expertise passed down through the family lineage.

The garden's location on Yoshiwara's hillside creates a distinctive natural phenomenon where tea fields become enveloped in a sea of clouds during early mornings. This atmospheric condition provides essential natural shade for specialty teas like Kabuse-cha. The farm produces approximately 2 tons of tea annually from first and second flush harvests, using chemical-free organic farming methods that work in harmony with the mountain environment. Leaves are processed using a near-fukamushi deep steaming technique, creating tea with rich color and sweetness while retaining leaf shape.

Visitors can explore the on-site tea shop featuring locally grown varieties including the highly recommended Zairai, cultivated from native varietal tea trees over 100 years old with only 2% domestic distribution. The collection includes Sencha, seasonal teas, black teas, and Benifuuki, known for alleviating allergy symptoms. The farm's Benifuuki wakocha earned a Gold Medal at the 2023 Nihoncha Awards. Tea sampling experiences are available with advance reservation.

The garden is located approximately 8 minutes by car from Shimizu Ihara IC on the Shin-Tomei Expressway. The nearest station is Shin-Fuji, approximately 25-30 minutes by taxi from the tea plantation. Admission details should be confirmed directly with the estate when arranging visits.