Apparently, half the green tea in Japan is grown and processed in the prefecture of Shizuoka, between Yokahama and Nagoya. Tea is important in local culture and tradition, and is even the beverage offered for school lunches in local schools!
We got off the bullet train from Nagoya to visit the Shizuoka Tea Museum; we were a bit too early as it turned out, for an anticipated tea festival, but enjoyed the visit immensely (although the possible views of Mount Fuji were obscured by dense clouds).
"They took all the tea, and put it in a tea- museum ..."
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| fields of camellia tea-plants grow near the museum |
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| history of tea-picking (museum placard) |
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| lush fields of manicured Camellia sinensis, Mt Fuji on a clear day (museum placard) |
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| display of machines now used for processing the harvest |
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| displayed artifacts from other tea-growing lands |
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| craft brew tea sold in the gift-shop |
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| the superb garden, viewed from the tea-room |
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| walking back down to the Shizuoka train station |
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| marvellous views, but can't see much of Mt Fuji today! |
CLASSIC JAPANESE HAIKU, in translation
sensing autumn's approach,
four hearts come together
in a small tea-room.
Matsuo BashÅ
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