Green Tea Tasting and Historical Street of Yame
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Port
Fukuoka (Hakata), Japan
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$440
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 7¾ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Green Tea is the most popular tea widely taken in Japan. It is said the first green tea tree was brought to Japan by the Monk in 1191, to Fukuoka. It is considered that this seed was boarded to the current famous green tea’s place of production nationwide. Yame-cha, is one of the widely known green tea brand which is produced in Yame, Fukuoka. Yame-cha is said to be Japan's number one Gyokuro which is a type of shagged green tea and is the most expensive type of Sencha, as their Gyokuro was awarded the best production area for 20 years at the Japanese green tea competitive exhibition. In this tour, visit Yame area, see the tea plantation and taste green tea as well as enjoy a short walk along Yama-Fukushima historical town including seeing the area's famous traditional crafts.
Departing from the pier, take a drive to Yame area, which produces Yame-cha, a widely known brand, and the one of the most famous green tea plantation areas in Kyushu. Firstly you will be taken to a viewpoint where the spectacular view of the green tea plantation can be seen-- the time of your visit is right before the tea picking season, so a very green, beautiful scenery is expected.
Take a short drive to Yame's historical downtown called Yame-Fukushima for a stroll around with your guide. The town remains in the traditional tone where you can feel the atmosphere of the traditional town with the old buildings-- including the oldest tea shop in Kyushu which is also said to be the godfather of Yame-cha, as the founder and the second generation united various name of green tea produced in the area and called it Yame-cha, with their effort of polishing quality of the tea production in this area. At this legendry tea shop's very old historical building, the guests can sit down in Japanese way and can taste the Gyokuro of Yame-cha, by the traditional style of Sencha-do (The ceremony is planned to be Sencha-ceremony (tea leaves), not the Tea ceremony with Matcha). You will be able to listen to some history about tea from the local people in traditional clothing. Climbing up narrow authentic steps to the 2nd floor will give you the feeling of being in real Japan.
After enjoying exploring the downtown area, you will be transfered to a local restaurant which provide Japanese local food called Tonkatsu Fried pork.
Return to the pier following lunch.
Please Note:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. A sunhut, sunglasses and bottled water are recommended. Local currency is recommended for any purchases. You need to climb up some steps to negotiate the coach. Guests are requested to remove shoes at the lunch venue and the tea house. At the tea shop for tea experience, guests have to climb up steep narrow steps to the 2nd floor (old authentic house), and traditional Japanese floor seating style (no chair). This tour is not wheelchair accessible.