福岡県
Yame
八女
Yame is one of Japan's premier premium tea-producing regions, having won the highest awards numerous times in the gyokuro category at national tea competitions. Tea cultivation is said to have begun here when a monk returning from Ming Dynasty China introduced tea growing during the Muromachi period. Traditional shade-growing methods are preserved in the misty mountain areas along the Yabe River valley. Yame gyokuro is treasured as a top-tier tea for its rich umami, sweetness, and distinctive shaded aroma. In recent years, the region has also expanded matcha production.
Altitude
50–500m
Latitude
33.21°N
Climate
Inland basin climate with large temperature variations between day and night. Morning mist rising from the Yabe River valley envelops the tea gardens, providing natural shading. Average annual temperature is around 16°C with approximately 1,800mm of annual rainfall. Summers are hot and humid.
Soil
Fertile alluvial soils of the Chikugo and Yabe River basins. A mixture of clay and sandy soils provides well-balanced water retention and drainage. Rich in organic matter, ideal for nutrient absorption by tea plants.