Shizuoka Tea

The Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan has a history of tea production dating back to 1241. The mild climate of this area is conducive to the cultivation of the tea plant--camellia sinensis. The Shizuoka Prefecture is the major tea producing region in Japan and is home to the great Fujisan, (Mount Fuji).

O-cha, which means tea in Japanese, is an integral part of Japanese culture and comes in many varieties. Green tea is gaining in popularity in the west, not only because it's oishii, but also because it is purported to fight cancer, prevent baldness and aid in concentration.

Here we profile a typical small green tea farm in Haibara, Shizuoka Prefecture. We will also provide an overview of the cultivation process and the health benefits of drinking green tea. In these pages, we will introduce you to the Edamura family and their tea farm. The Edamura farm is typical of the many tea farms in located in the Shizuoka Prefecture.