Tea plantations in the sky with morning mist Tea cultivation has been active since ancient times in Ibigawa Town, Ibi-gun, Gifu Prefecture. Tea plantations and all over the mountain from the Halfway up to the top of the mountain, which Meter about 300 Elevation, and it is also called the Machu Picchu of Gifu. On sunny days after After the rain, there are days when it is covered with morning fog. Gifu Prefecture Ibigawa June

🍵 Yamashigi kama-iri tea 🍵 The delicious season for new tea 🍵 Kama-iri tea grown at Yamashigi Forest is ready! Yamashigi Forest is an old farmhouse set in woodland over 600 meters above sea level This farmhouse, more than 140 years old, prospered as a key transit point in the days before cars. Travelers and freight once moved along exposed ridgelines with good views rather than the low river valleys. We picked the tender new shoots that grew up strong at Yamashigi Forest and made them the traditional way to create this “Yamashigi kama-iri tea” 🍵 It is made only from the first flush. During Golden Week every tea-growing household turns its attention to picking the leaves. The few tea mills in the village run full time from morning to night. Yamashigi kama-iri tea was produced amid that bustle. The kama-iri tea arrives at your home as a “boxed” product that has never left Morotsuka once it was packed. (In reality it arrives in a bag.) Kama-iri tea is a method the people of Morotsuka have kept alive for generations. It was brought long ago from China and now survives in pockets across Kyushu. Apparently it makes up only about 0.02% of the tea distributed nationwide. The tea offers a gentle sweetness and a slightly toasty aroma. After the water boils, wait a moment before pouring, drink quickly, and from around the third cup the leaves open fully and the “kama-ka” aroma drifts out. Kama-iri tea is popular in Morotsuka Village but remains rare across the country. 🍵 You can buy it from the online shop Morotsuka Store, at the Donko-tei Storefront, or at Morokko House. ※Stock is limited, so please order early 🙇‍♀️

🌿New Tea Season🌿 The tea fields in Gokasecho are turning a vivid green😌🍵 The first and second photos show the house in Kuwanochi, in front of which the weeping cherry trees that we introduced in spring looked so beautiful📸✨ Against the fresh green of the remaining cherry leaves, the two-tone tea fields made an incredibly beautiful scene🥺👏 Fresh tea is arriving one after another at the Gokase Specialty Center, and the scent of new tea fills the shop🥰 Enjoy the fragrant, new tea leaves that make you feel as if you are standing right in the tea fields🍵✨

🌸Spring Mountain School — Now Accepting Participants🌸 ~A casual hands-on experience in traditional pan-fried tea picking and hand-rolling🍵~ On Saturday, May 10th, we will hold a hands-on tour to make traditional pan-fried tea by hand-picking and hand-rolling the pan-fried tea that has long been handed down in Morotsuka Village. This rare tea, accounting for only about 0.02% of Japan’s production, invites you to try making it by hand-picking and hand-rolling in an atmospheric traditional house. 《Pan-Fried Tea Experience in Morotsuka Village, Miyazaki Prefecture》 ◎ How to make handmade pan-fried tea🍵 1. Tea picking Pick one bud and two leaves. Start at the tip of the new shoot and pick the second or third leaf from the top. 2. Initial pan-frying Heat the pan, add the fresh leaves, and stir-fry while mixing to prevent burning. Heat the pan until you hear a popping sound the moment the fresh leaves hit it. 3. Hand-rolling Spread the leaves on a mat to cool, then press down with your body weight and roll vigorously. If clumps form, break them apart (untangling the balls). 4. Drying and final frying With the heated pan, rub the tea leaves against the bottom of the pan with your hands while frying. As the moisture gradually evaporates and the leaves begin to dry, stop rubbing and dry the leaves while stirring them by hand so they do not burn. Why not take this chance to experience making pan-fried tea, something you rarely get to taste? We look forward to your participation 🤗 *For applications and more details, please check Morotsuka Navi.*

Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots in Kuwanochi 🌸 Yesterday, Monday, April 7, the weather turned warm with a gentle breeze and clear skies☀️ It was truly a perfect day for hanami🌸🍡 When people think of cherry blossoms in Gokasecho, the Sanga area is especially famous, but Kuwanochi also hides some lesser-known blossom spots😌✨ Photos 1–3 show the cherry trees you see on the left just before you reach the top of the hill where the road from National Route 218 turns toward Yuhinosato Bridge and meets Prefectural Route 8📸 Two large, pale-pink cherry trees stand between tea fields and a vast blue sky stretching as far as the Aso caldera🌸 It’s the kind of serene satoyama landscape that takes your breath away🥹✨ This place seems to be a well-kept secret with many devoted fans🤭💕 Photos 4–5 show the cherry tree by a private house you’ll find right after descending the lane beside the fire station along Prefectural Route 8📸 A magnificent weeping cherry stands out against a carpet of rapeseed flowers at its feet and the bright blue sky behind it. It’s a vivid, springlike scene🤗✨ Beside it, vivid purple magnolia blooms in profusion, making this spot a joyful celebration of spring🤩 Finally, photos 6–8 show the cherry at Koshoji Temple📸 You have to view it from a bit of a distance to take in the whole tree — it’s very large😳✨ The pure white petals contrast beautifully with the red-and-white mottled camellias planted in front. The sight is stunning and powerful; this cherry tree is well worth a visit🙏💡 That brings us to the entrance of Kuwanochi and ends the cherry tree tour for now😌 Please tell us about your favorite cherry trees too✨ A note on the private houses I featured: these are private properties, so when viewing, please do not enter yards or make loud noises. Observe good manners to avoid bothering neighbors🙇‍♀️ Now, rain is forecast for this Thursday — will the blossoms be gone then? 🥲 It’s a little sad, but that fleeting beauty is part of their charm🫶 Cherry-blossom showers are poetic; let’s enjoy them to the fullest while they last🌸

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience] Cast-Iron Kettle Pan-Frying Tea Experience Pan-fried tea, now produced in only small quantities nationwide. It pours a clear golden color, offers a fragrant aroma, and tends to be less astringent and bitter than steamed green tea. You can try making this pan-fried tea yourself. <Price> Pan-frying experience: 2,000 yen ※Reservation required / varies by season <Booking> Miyazaki Chabo Co., Ltd. 4966 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 ・Hours: 9:00–16:00 ・Phone: 0982-82-0211 ・Fax: 0982-82-0316

[Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Experience] Tea Tasting Experience Miyazaki (Tatsu Saki) Sabou produces the rare kamairicha (pan-fried tea) Here you can enjoy a tasting experience featuring several kinds of tea. Even among kamairicha, different tea leaf varieties produce distinct aromas and flavors. If you find a tea you like, you can buy it on the spot. Price: Tea tasting experience from ¥1,000 (reservation required) Booking: Miyazaki Sabou Co., Ltd. 4966 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 Hours: 9:00–16:00 Telephone: 0982-82-0211 Fax: 0982-82-0316

[Miyazaki Prefecture, Gokasecho] Local Specialty and Souvenir: kama-iri tea Kama-iri tea is made by pan-frying tea leaves instead of steaming them. This method, similar to the process used for oolong tea, brings out the tea’s natural aroma. Compared with standard steamed teas, it boasts a light, refreshing flavor and excellent fragrance that make it easy to drink cup after cup.

Miyazaki Prefecture Gokasecho Shopping and Souvenirs: Baba House Baba House sits on the grounds of Miyazaki Sabou. Here you can buy Miyazaki Sabou tea and sweets from Baba Club. Contact 4805-4 Kuwanochi, Gokasecho, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture 882-1202 Phone: 0982-82-0211

Tea plantation in the sky While being bitten by leeches, I went to the Observatory. I can't 😅 climb anymore Ibi-gun, Gifu Shot on iPHONE 11 PRO

There is a good atmosphere even in the morning when the sun does not shine. Shot on iPHONE 11 PRO 26mm Takehara, Tsu, Mie Prefecture 2024/3/18

It is a tea plantation in Nachikatsuura Town. The shape of the tea plantations in the mountains is interesting, and when the eighty-eighth night season comes, I go out to photograph it almost every year.

Tea plantation in the sky from the observatory I climbed 🥲 while being bitten by a leech Shot on iPHONE 11 PRO Ibi-gun, Gifu 2023/7

Morning in a petite moya petite tea plantation Shot on DJI MAVIC 3 #hellofrom JAPAN Gifu 2023/7 * Avoid the sky over the tea plantation and take an aerial view * Obtained Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism unmanned aerial vehicle comprehensive flight permit

"Hydrangea blooming in the sky" had only 🥸 a head that was attached to the sky. I went there expecting it after the rain, but it was a sparse morning haze. Shot on iPHONE 11 PRO JAPAN Gifu Tea Garden in the Sky 2023/7

Eighty-eight nights. Tea picking scenery