The guide and I arrived at the tea farmhouse “Akari, Kaachan no Yado” at around 3 pm. The host family, Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka finished their work a little earlier to welcome me. They welcomed me with warmth. They served me the organic green tea they made, along with a local sweet called “Karukan Manjyu steamed cake” and some homemade pickled vegetables. Their sencha green tea tasted so good.

After we enjoyed our tea at the farmhouse, Mr. Tanaka, the father of the host family took me on a tour to their tea farm. He told me to put on his rubber boots. We started walking to the tea farm next to their house. The tea farm was so big and the trees were nicely trimmed. In the evening, the tea farm was covered in fog. He said that it was cloudy earlier that day, but the stars were shining brightly. We picked up some baby bamboo shoots and some other vegetables at the farm.

When we went back to the house, we had early dinner. The dishes the mother cooked was so fresh and delicious. The joyful dinner was so good.

Tomorrow, I will wake up early and experience tea leaf picking and try the hand roasted Japanese green tea.

For your information:
Name of house : Akari, Kaachan no Yado
Address : Kami-Okawauchi 2704-30, Izumi-shi, Kagoshima-ken 899-0341 Japan
Reservation : http://www.jtb.co.jp/kokunai_htl/list/A11/46/4605/460504/8652A12/detail.html (japanese only)
Access : http://www.izumi-navi.jp/en/access/
http://www.city.izumi.kagoshima.jp/english.asp

Contact : kanko_c@ city.izumi.kagoshima.jp

http://www.izumi-navi.jp/en/inquiry_farmstays/form (Inquiry Form)

Related web : http://www.izumi-navi.jp/en/feature/minpaku