Tea Season in the Yamato region of Nara, Japan
Modern-day Nara was once known as Yamato centuries ago when it was the capital of Japan.
The roots of many Japanese cultures can be traced back to Nara, and these soon spread throughout all of Japan as years passed.
Following the origins of tea culture and Buddhism that spread since the Tang dynasty, Nara continues to be a treasured place of tea production in Japan.
What is Yamato tea?
Yamato tea or Yamato-cha describes the type of Japanese green tea that is produced in the Yamato region of Nara Prefecture in Japan.
The history of tea making dates back to more than 1,200 years in Nara Prefecture and is still one of the major producers of tea in Japan, ranking in sixth place.
The different types of Yamato teas produced include Kabusecha, Sencha, Bancha and Tencha. A popular brand of Yamato tea is Tsukigase tea which is well-known as being grown in farms from Tsukigase, Nara. Other teas include Fukuju tea, Yagyu tea and Yamazoe tea, originating from places where the tea leaves are produced.
What is a tea farm like in Nara Prefecture?
Looking atop the breathtaking views of the highland area in the northeastern part of Nara Prefecture lies Yamato Plateau, where Yamato tea is mostly grown. Perched on cool mountaintops, Yamato Plateau vastly stretches across Nara City, Tenri City, Sakurai City and Uda City.
The cooling climate and large temperature variations of the highland area are ideal for growing high-quality teas. Here, days are short where leaves are exposed to minimal sunlight in the cold mountainous air.
The tea culture of Yamato Tea
High in the mountains, situated at 350 metres elevation in Nara’s mountainous Yamato region, is where you’ll find Yamato’s local tea farms.
Tea harvest begins according to poetic tradition: the day after the 88th night, following the beginning of Spring.
The leaves are carefully picked by hand and are steamed on the same day. Then they are dried to finish the production process.
The product is shipped in the Kansai area during May. The tea is grown in a harsh mountain climate and has umami with a bitter taste.
The taste of Yamato Tea
One local variety of Yamato tea in Nara Prefecture was created by cross-breeding local seedlings, also known as “Yamato-midori”. Characteristics of this variety reflect the growth conditions of a mountainous environment: the tree is particularly resistant to a cold climate, has dense buds and provides intermediate production.
Minimal daylight hours and large temperature fluctuations in a cold climate allows the tea to grow slowly, with leaves enriched in nutrients, creating rich flavor and umami with every sip.
Tsukigase Tea
In the misty village of Tsukigase at an altitude of 300 metres, you can find the popular tea produced in cold conditions and high-quality soils.
Perhaps the well-kept secret of Tsukigase teas lies in a nearby river. Every morning, the mist rolls in and moisturizes the tea trees, even when it doesn’t rain, and enables growers to cultivate good quality tea.
The lay of the land allows for good drainage, ensuring good quality soil during rainy periods.
The combined result of a mountainous climate and good quality soil is a green tea with a unique crispness, leaves stemmed with beautiful rich color and natural organic tea with a gentle flavor.
Where to find Yamato Tea online
Want to start drinking Yamato Tea straight away and not sure where to find some? Here are some local varieties of Yamato Tea you can buy online:
Producer: Nishide Tea Factory
Harvest: Spring 2020
Vendor: Yunomi
Region: Nara, Japan
Price: USD $13.86 / 30g
Purchase here: https://yunomi.life/products/nishide-organic-matcha-kotoka
Producer: Tsukigase Kenkō Chaen
Harvest: Spring 2019
Vendor: Yunomi
Region: Tsukigase, Nara, Japan
Price: USD $6.47 / 20g
Purchase here: https://yunomi.life/products/tsukigase-sencha-saemidori?_pos=6&_sid=f2a0e21b7&_ss=r
Producer: Tsukigase Kenkō Chaen
Harvest: June 2018
Vendor: Yunomi
Region: Tsukigase, Nara, Japan
Price: USD $3.70 / 20g
Purchase here: https://yunomi.life/products/tsukigase-kenko-chaen-tsukigase-bancha-naturally-grown?_pos=7&_sid=f2a0e21b7&_ss=r
Producer: Tsukigase Kenkō Chaen
Harvest: Spring 2019
Vendor: Yunomi
Region: Tsukigase, Nara, Japan
Price: USD $5.55 / 20g
Purchase here: https://yunomi.life/products/tsukigase-kenko-chaen-tsukigase-sencha-premium-farmers-blend-naturally-grown?_pos=8&_sid=f2a0e21b7&_ss=r
Here's how to enjoy your Yamato Tea
Yamato Tea is available as Sencha, Karigane, Bancha, roasted Bancha and Hojicha.
The taste of Yamato tea vastly depends on water temperature when it is brewed. If the temperature is low, it tastes sweet. If the temperature is high, it becomes aromatic and bitter.
To enjoy the aroma of tea, such as roasted Bancha, it should be brewed at a high temperature. To enjoy both the sweetness and aroma, tea should be brewed slowly with hot water at 70°C – 80°C degrees.
Yamato Tea can be brewed and enjoyed many times without having to change the leaves.
Places to visit for Yamato Tea in Japan
If you’re planning your next trip to Nara, Japan be sure to visit the following places for a taste of “Yamato Cha” and Nara style sweets.
Reason to visit: customers can have a unique experience and learn the whole process of tea preparation, serving and drinking in one sitting. Get to know the correct serving water temperature for that optimum cup of tea. Your tea is also served with a delicate Japanese sweet, wagashi, that is specially hand made for the season.
Where to go: 200 – 62 Nishikitsujicho, Nara, Japan 630-8325
Reason to visit: customers will be delighted to find a wide selection of teas in Kyokkaen that are truly representative of Nara’s tea culture. Amongst its best-sellers are its high-quality Sencha, high-grade Matcha and a Hojicha deeply connected with Nara’s locals.
Where to go: 17, Tsunofuri-cho, Nara-shi, Nara, Japan
Reason to visit: to the Northernmost part, just outside Nara City is where you will find the quiet and tranquil Tawara Natural Tea Farm. Here, Mrs Fukui has been growing tea for over 25 years and started the farm in 2004. With a tea shop located on the farm, Tawara Natural Farm boasts tea made for every season.
Whether you’re looking for Bancha in Summer, black tea in Autumn, Hojicha in Winter or Shincha in Spring, you can experience the natural taste of Tawara for yourself.
Where to go: 614-2 Higasacho, Nara City, Nara, Japan 630-2173
Reason to visit: named after Kenichi-san, a tea farm exists in the Yamato Kogen area that is deeply rooted in the ways of natural farming. All around completely organic produce with no chemicals and no fertilizers, just natural occurring nutrients from the harsh enriched soils, Mr Kenichi Ikawa individually tends to more than 30 fields that yield completely different flavors of tea from each field.
Where to go: Tsutsui-cho 696-1, Yamatokoriyama, Nara
Reason to visit: not just a tea shop, customers can enjoy the taste of Yamato Tea from Takenishi Farm served with fresh seasonal produce for lunch with a side of Japanese sweets. Rice is boiled, made with Hojicha, known as Narachagayu, and is another popular way to enjoy Yamato Tea.
Where to go: 458 Nakanoshocho, Nara
Got an amazing place to recommend in Nara? Let us know!