There are a lot of tea plantations in Japan. Color, aroma and taste of tea leaves, that are got in at different plantations, vary by kind of plant, ground and the way it is cultivated in different regions. By the way there is a song about the best three kinds of tea, "the first by color is tea from Sizuoka, by aroma is tea uji from Kyoto and by taste is tea sayama from Saitama". At the present time the first place by cultivating green tea in Japan is taken by Sizuoka prefecture (over 40 per cent of total volume), then go Kagoshima and Mie prefectures. Saitam prefecture with its tea sayama occupies the 12th place.

Some sorts of tea and places of plantations

Minocha, Gifu prefecture

This is famous tea that is cultivated in mountainous regions. This tea that is growing in conditions of sudden drop of temperature, has strong aroma and sweetish taste.

Omicha, Shiga prefecture

It is considered that Shiga prefecture is the motherland of Japanese tea. The main plantations are situated in region next to Uji plantations in Kyoto prefecture.

Ujicha, Kyoto prefecture

The technology of slight steaming is traditionally used for making ujicha. This helps preserving natural aroma and taste of tea leaf.

Ureshinocha, Saga prefecture

Tea that is harvested in Saga prefecture is famous for the round shape of leaves. It is rare kind of tea for Kanto and Kansai regions. It has a good taste and a slight sweetness.

Yamecha, Fukuoka prefecture

Plantations of this prefecture are famous for the best kinds of tea - gyokuro and sencha. They upstaged Uji plantations by gyokuro tea and taking the 1st place in Japan. Gyokuro has a bland bitterness and astringency with sweetness.

Murakamicha, Niigata prefecture

Tea plantations are covered with snow here and leaves, grown in such conditions, have particular taste and reduced viscosity. This tea is high-grade with sweetish taste.

Ibarakicha, Ibaraki prefecture

Several kinds of tea are cultivated here, some of which are quite popular in Kanto region. They are noted with strong aroma and deep taste.

Sayamacha, Saitama prefecture

The plantations have been cultivated here since Edo epoch. The local green tea sayamacha is very popular in Kanto region.

Sizuokacha, Sizuoka prefecture

Over 40 per cent of all tea in Japan is cultivated in this prefecture. Plantations are famous for the variety of high-grade tea. Recently the sencha tea with deep steaming has gained popularity.

Isecha, Mie prefecture

The prefecture occupies the 3rd place by cultivating tea in Japan after Sizuoki and Kogoshima. The tea that is cultivated under fence roof to avoid the strict sun shining is rather famous. Such tea is less aromatic but has a rich taste.

Miyazakicha, Miyazaki prefecture

The climate of mountainous regions and valley in this prefecture is best suited for cultivating a row of tea sorts. Some kinds of the local tea are well known all over the country.

Satsumacha, Kagoshima prefecture

The tea supplies of new harvest to the market begin 20 day earlier than other regions, as here it is high temperature for the whole year. The local sorts of tea are famous for the strong aroma and good taste.

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