Shizuoka Green Tea and Traditional Arts Experience on the Tokaido Road
Highlights
- Relish a private tea ceremony in a historic Edo-period residence
- Visit iconic landmarks from the Edo-period Tokaido post towns
- Enjoy a kaiseki meal paired with Shizuoka green tea and local sake
- Witness traditional Japanese performing arts like shamisen and nagauta
- The tour will be held in Japanese with an English interpreter
What to expect
Embark on a unique cultural experience that combines the rich heritage of Shizuoka green tea with the historical charm of Japan’s Tokaido Road. This immersive tour, available in either Kakegawa City or Shimada City depending on availability, offers a deeper understanding of the region’s tea culture and its connection to the historic post towns that thrived along the Tokaido during the Edo period.
What is Shizuoka Green Tea?
Shizuoka Green Tea is a premium Japanese tea cultivated in Shizuoka Prefecture, the leading tea-producing region in Japan. The area’s ideal climate, nutrient-rich volcanic soil, and centuries-old tea cultivation techniques have made it famous for producing high-quality varieties such as Sencha, Gyokuro, and Matcha. Shizuoka tea is celebrated for its vibrant green color, refreshing aroma, and rich umami flavor, earning it acclaim from tea enthusiasts worldwide.
The Tokaido Road
The Tokaido Road served as a vital route connecting Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo period (1603–1868). This historic path, with its 53 post towns, was a hub for travelers, merchants, and samurai. These post towns offered rest stops and supplies, creating a lively culture that endures in preserved sections of the road today, providing a window into Japan’s past.
Connections to Kakegawa City and Shimada City
Kakegawa City and Shimada City, both located in Shizuoka Prefecture, share a deep cultural and historical bond with Shizuoka green tea and the Tokaido Road.
Kakegawa City
In Kakegawa City, the lush tea plantations reflect its reputation as a center for tea culture. Visitors can explore the Kakegawa Tea Museum, which highlights traditional tea production methods and offers hands-on tea-tasting experiences. As a historical hub on the Tokaido Road, Kakegawa played a key role in the trade and distribution of tea.
Shimada City
In Shimada City, the legacy of the Tokaido is evident in landmarks like the iconic wooden Horai Bridge, a key crossing on the Oi River during the Edo period. The city celebrates its tea heritage through vibrant events like the Shimada Tea Festival, honoring its role in Shizuoka's tea industry.
Both cities offer a perfect blend of history and culture, making them ideal settings for this tour that celebrates Shizuoka’s timeless green tea and its connection to Japan’s storied Tokaido Road.
About this experience
Schedule
- —Meet at Fujibun (Kakegawa City) or Sakurai Residence (Shimada City)
- —Taxi Pickup ServicesTaxi pickup is available at Kakegawa Station, Shimada Station, or accommodations within Kakegawa City or Shimada City.
- —Gather and Learn About Local HistoryStart your journey at Fujibun in Kakegawa or the Sakurai Residence in Shimada. Explore Tokaido post town stories and tea culture, visit historic sites like Kawasakaya or Oigawa Kawagoe Ruins, and enjoy guided tours with traditional songs like the "Hizaka Mago Uta."
- —-17:10 Experience Traditional Japanese ArtsDelight in a live performance of shamisen, nagauta, or Japanese dance. These traditional art forms, hosted at either Yorozuya (Kakegawa City) or the Sakurai Residence (Shimada City), showcase the elegance and history of the Edo-period culture.
- —-18:20 Savor Tea in a Unique CeremonyParticipate in a tea ceremony led by local experts at Fujibun or the Sakurai Residence. Enjoy premium sencha paired with “ame no mochi,” a sweet said to have been a favorite of Tokugawa Ieyasu, as you learn about Shizuoka’s tea heritage.
- —- 20:00 Kaiseki Cuisine Paired with Green TeaRelish a multi-course kaiseki dinner at Uomitsu (Kakegawa City) or the Sakurai Residence (Shimada City). Each dish is expertly paired with Shizuoka green tea and local sake, offering a true taste of the region’s culinary and tea culture.
- —Enjoy Convenient Private TransportAfter a memorable experience, your journey concludes with a taxi ride back to Kakegawa or Shimada Station, or your local accommodation. Relax and reflect on the day steeped in the culture and history of Shizuoka.
- —Tour ends
