静岡県
Shizuoka
静岡
Annual production: 30,000t
Shizuoka Prefecture is Japan's largest tea-producing region, accounting for approximately 40% of national production. Tea cultivation here is said to have begun in the Kamakura period when the monk Shoichi Kokushi brought tea seeds from Song Dynasty China and planted them in Ashikubo. Vast tea plantations spread across the Makinohara Plateau and beyond, producing a diverse range of teas centered on sencha, including deep-steamed sencha and hojicha. The region is also known as the birthplace of the Yabukita cultivar and has led innovation in Japanese tea production techniques.
Altitude
50–800m
Latitude
34.97°N
Climate
Warm and humid maritime climate. Sea breezes from Suruga Bay combined with temperature variations in the mountainous interior create ideal tea-growing conditions. Average annual temperature is around 15-16°C with approximately 2,000mm of annual rainfall. Winters are relatively mild with minimal frost damage.
Soil
Volcanic ash soils (red clay and andosol) are prevalent, offering excellent drainage and rich organic content. The soil structure is well-suited for the deep-rooting nature of tea plants.