Tea Terroirs of Suruga
where to go in suruga
Suruga region in Shizuoka Prefecture is located halfway between Tokyo and Nagoya along the coast of the Sea of Japan. The region is made up of five cities (Shizuoka, Fujieda, Shimada, Makinohara, and Yaizu) and two towns (Kawane-Honmachi and Yoshida). All together, Suruga is largely regarded as the best tea-growing area in Japan and is made up of four tea terroirs. Visitors to the area may be surprised to discover the long history of Shizuoka tea—but a journey to Suruga will be richly rewarded with a filling of traditional Japanese culture and knowledge.
What is a Tea Terroir?
A tea terroir is quite literally everything that affects the final flavor profile and characteristics of a specific tea. These can include environmental factors like humidity, weather, water, and soil quality, and even go so far as to define local flora and fauna.
There are four tea terroirs in Suruga with each producing its own variant of the ever-popular Shizuoka green tea.
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Shizuoka Downtown
Shizuoka City
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Mountain Area
Including Shizuoka and Fujieda Cities
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Bay Area
Including Yaizu, Yoshida, and Makinohara Cities
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River Area
Including Shimada and Kawanehon Cities
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Shizuoka Downtown
Shizuoka City
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Mountain Area
Including Shizuoka and Fujieda Cities
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Bay Area
Including Yaizu, Yoshida, and Makinohara Cities
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River Area
Including Shimada and Kawanehon Cities
Shizuoka Downtown
Shizuoka City’s central Downtown Area is Japan’s main green tea merchant’s business district. The district also plays a central role in Suruga’s local tourism thanks to its excellent connections to east and west Japan via the Shinkansen (high speed rail) line, JR Tokaido local train line, Tokaido Highway and Mt. Fuji Shizuoka International Airport.
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Mountain Area
The mountainous areas have long been well-known for producing premium teas grown with great care on farms at high elevations interspersed with the rich forests and irrigated by waters from the pristine streams.
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Bay Area
Visit the coastline where the seafood, blessings of Suruga Bay, surrounding tea fields, and people are connected. Enjoy a tour that includes both Suruga Bay, Japan’s deepest ocean area, and the iconic Mt. Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain.
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River Area
The Oi River originates 3,000 meters high in the Southern Alps of Japan and runs through Shizuoka Prefecture from north to south. The Oi River basin is home to three vast green tea production areas, including Kawane, Shimada and Kanaya.
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Plan Your Trip
Looking to craft the perfect Suruga trip? Follow our below guides to effectively navigate the rich landscape–from countryside adventures to urban outings. With our easy to follow access, accommodation and general information guides you can plan the logistics of your trip stress free, leaving more time to experience Suruga’s wonders!
