In Tenryu Village, at the southernmost tip of Nagano Prefecture, there are tea fields clinging to the mountain slopes. This steep slope packed with tea fields lies just above the tracks of the JR Iida Line which runs parallel to the Tenryu River. When there’s fog, tea fields seem to be floating in the sky.
The morning mist rising from the Tenryu River enhances the tea’s flavor.
In addition, the mountain valley, with its large temperature differences between day and night and short hours of sunlight, is ideal for producing soft, high-quality leaves.
The name of this area is Nakai Samurai（中井侍）. There exist 19 private homes and surprisingly 17 of them are tea farmers. As you may have already noticed, Samurai（侍） is samurai, that is to say, a Japanese warrior. The farmers who consider themselves samurai run small tea factories filled with their own unique attention to detail.
Nakai Samurai tea
A characteristique feature of Nakai Samurai tea is different tastes offered by diffrent tea factories. Planted in almost the same field, each tea factory is proud of each distinctive flavour.
They retain their hand-tea-picking culture and practices. In May, you can see the skillful handling of tea pickers carefully selecting only the finest tea leaves.
The tea leaves picked through this careful handwork are processed at the region’s tea factory. What is noteworthy is that they use a shallow steaming method with shortened steaming time. As a result, Nakai Samurai tea has a prominent sweetness and a refreshing taste that causes a craving for another cup of tea.
As for the color of brewed tea, it’s clear yellow-green. After being brewed, the tea leaves beautifully return to their original shape and we can eat them as a kind of salad.
Honorably, tea products from the Nakai Samurai area regularly rank high in the green tea competition held annually within the Nagano prefecture. But unfortunately, they rarely hit the market. Because each tea farmer has its own set of sales channels and customers. That is why the tea of Nakai Samurai is called “mysterious tea” .
Tea picking
Around May, when the fresh greenery is dazzling, tea picking in the Nakai Samurai district begins in earnest. Starting with the lowest, warmest fields and gradually ascending upward.
Along the “Nanamagari (literally means seven carves)” road, which winds its way up a steep slope [Elevation difference: 365m, average gradient: approximately 27 degrees], you’ll find tea fields crammed from top to bottom. Below your eyes, the majestic view of Tenryu River.
The views from each farmer’s tea field, as well as from the opposite bank, are breathtakingly beautiful beyond words.
Let’s experience
We offer you a half-day activity of tea picking in June (the second harvest time).You can also enjoy a special lunch prepared mainly with local produce.
The suggested flow of the activity is as mentioned below.
Tea picking
Firstly, professional tea pickers teach you how to pick tea leaves. Let’s start picking by following their advice. They also tell some interesting stories about tea culture, tea farming, tea business and sometimes even their private life. Friendly communication will be greatly welcomed.
Lunch and Tea tasting
Let’s taste a special lunch prepared by the local people with all their heart. After lunch, a tea tasting competition will be held. You can actually distinguish the difference of tea taste offered by different tea farms.
Hand rolling of picked tea leaves
Let’s process the tea leaves through the method of hand-rolling which is used only for high quality tea. Take the finished tea leaves as a souvenir for yourself or for your family and friends.
