Tokunaga Tea House: Ureshino, Saga Prefecture

Ureshino town in Saga prefecture is a famous producer of Japanese tea. It is located in a basin surrounded by foggy mountains and is ideally suited to growing tea with its fresh air and clean water supply. The Tokunaga teahouse is a specialty shop that sells a wide variety of green, brown and black teas, including the most sort after tea of the lot, namely Matcha. 

This Traditional tea has a specific tea called Tamaryocha ( curly tea ) due to its unique rounded profile of its tea leaves. These leaves have a strong aroma and umami taste. There’s no other region in Japan that sells this type of tea. If you didn’t know, a green tea has a unique taste, and that includes its astringency, bitterness, and most importantly it's Umami There are many health benefits, including catechin, fluoride, caffeine, and most importantly theanine.

What I love about bringing customers to the Tokunaga tea house is that they have an English speaking tea sommelier who originally comes from Slovenia. She is friendly, polite, and most importantly very professional about her craft. It is here where you can get down to the nitty-gritty of the many different elements that go into tea producing and obviously drinking. They have a wide variety of products so be careful, it’s very difficult to leave this place without stocking up on all your favorites. But don't worry they make the decision making process easy by allowing you to sample and compare the dozens of types of tea that they have in stock including many original ones not sold anywhere.

A real tea experience that must be tried to be believed.

Please check out the Tokunaga Tea House on this map below:

Please click on these photos below to enlarge:

interesting varieties

gift packs galore

Products galore

Smell test

lots of samples

A private audience with a real pro

Please click on this video to see more of the Tokunaga Tea House:

Yame Central Tea Plantation- Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture

Yame City is an up and coming Tea producing region in Japan located in the southern region of Fukuoka Prefecture.  This region of Fukuoka gets a lot of attention not just from producing Green Tea but with its fertile soil and clean water supply from the Chigoku River also allows this region to produce incredible Fruits especially Grapes and Japanese Pears just to mention a couple.

I will never forget that when I first got to Japan everyone who rave and talk about Shizuka Prefecture and say that their Green Tea was the best in Japan and you wouldn't be in your right mind to drink tea from anywhere else. Today, of course Shizuoka is still No 1 but Yame in Fukuoka, Ureshino in Saga Prefecture and Chiran in Kagoshima Prefecture are racing ahead and have garnished a lot of attention over the years.  

As more and more people drink Green Tea worldwide these days these rural regions like Yame City now put more emphasis into expanding their production as this has now become a positive economic benefit for the whole community as world prices as a result of increased demand has escalated 2 to 3 fold. 

I have wanted to come and see this Tea Producing rural area of Fukuoka and when I got here I was absolutely speechless.  The views and the rolling hills are incredible and even on a cloudy day I was in absolute awe of the beauty and nature infused location. I am sure you will too!

At the top of the observation point there is a small cafe selling of course various types of Green Tea, desserts and artifacts from local artisans. I am sure you will throughly enjoy the arts and crafts whilst consuming healthy and brain stimulating Green Tea.

Please check out the Yame Central Tea Plantation here on a map below:

Please click on these photos below to enlarge:

The view for miles

The scene never stops

Cultivated beauty

The lookout

Cafe time

Products on sale

Relaxing as

Enjoy a beverage or 2

Nice vibes

This is Yame Tea

Please click on these videos below to see more about the Yame Central Tea Plantation:

                                                            

Giant Green Tea Tree: Ureshino Town, Saga Prefecture

There is a very impressive place located in the rural confines of Saga Prefecture that has significant historical and cultural connotations. It is called the giant tree of Ureshino and for a green tea buff it is the origins of the green tea industry in this region of Kyushu. 

Not only is the location completely in the countryside (it's about as rural as you are ever going to get) but no matter what the season the Green Tea fields are still an amazing shade of vibrant green.  It's hard to explain that in the middle of winter that colors like this even exist.  The contrast is so mazing that it actually blows your mind. The manicured hedges of the Green Tea fields are absolutely mesmerizing. It could be just me but every time I see another interesting hedge shape along the river bank or on the hill I just have to step out of my car and take another picture. It's like a drug, you just can't get enough!

I have been told that in summer the density of the tree when its leaves are at its peak are quite a lit more than in its current state.  However a 340 year old specimen that is 4 meters high and has an 8 meter circumference, i think that it has nothing to apologize for.  This is a true indication that nature is incredible and that we need to preserve and protect everything we can for the next generation to enjoy.

Even if there is no English signs to enjoy, this is one of those locations that no explanation is necessary. Nature trumps linguistics every time!

Please check out the Giant Green Tea Tree on the map below:

Please click the photos below to enlarge:

Great all year round

Rows and rows of green tea

Manicured perfection

Beautiful scenery

Big Green Tea Tree

It's massive

Close up of tea

The origins of Tea

Gotta love nature

Please click on the videos below to see more about the Green Tea fields in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture.

Ureshino Tea Exchange Museum- Ureshino City, Saga Prefecture

There is something about Green Tea that is very fascinating.  We all know that Green Tea is good for us, it's great for the brain and improves cognitive function, great for aiding digestion and it's an excellent drink to help with weight loss and for skin and eye quality.  The green tea industry in Japan is booming as demand from abroad has been peaking in the last 10 to 15 years. 

The best thing is that the Green Tea region of Ureshino is right in my backyard and its such an interesting and picturesque location to explore. I will endeavor to promote this region of Kyushu and give those Green Tea lovers insights into production techniques and the history of the town.

The best place to do this is at the Ureshino Tea Exchange Museum located in the middle of the town.  It has everything that one could need to understand more about Green Tea in general.  

1) There is a quaint little museum in the building which although sign posted in English doesn't have extensive information.  However there is just enough to get the gist of what is going on within the historical background and the production process.

Please click on the photos below to enlarge:

English guide is available

Background Information

Main floor

Interesting place to explore

Tea moments

Tea Production 

Tea regions of Japan

Tea fields

Stages of production

2)  There is a tea cafe located inside the building which allows you to try some of the various tea products. There are a multitude of hot and cold drinks as well as many different types of sweets to enjoy. 

Profile of various farmers

The menu

Tea Cafe

Plenty of seating

2 person table

Plenty of awards

3) The sales shop is a place where you can buy quite a few products to take home with you. Teas and sweets round up the products on offer.  They also offer a great selection of ceramic tea pots that shouldn't be missed. The ladies may I say are completely friendly and try to help you at every opportunity. I am sure you will enjoy the interactive experience.

Plenty of sweets

The teas of Ureshino

Tea options

Options galore

Tea pots

4) The tea fields outside are also a nice option to explore. On this cold wintery day (we had quite a bit of snow the previous 2 days) it was a pleasant surprise to see a white dusting of snow on the top of the hedges. The nature involved with these outdoor scenes are very powerful indeed and add to the overall experience of the situation.

I am sure you will agree that the combination of these 4 combined attractions make the Ureshino Tea Exchange Museum a special place to visit.

Please check out the Ureshino Tea Exchange Museum on this map below.

 

Please click on these videos below to see more of the Ureshino Tea Exchange Museum:

Here are some photos of a recent family tour enjoying the experience of sampling Green Tea.

Traditional Japanese Tea Room

Preparing the tea

Reading the description in English

Lots of friendly staff