The Origins of Shizuoka Tea

When people speak of Japanese tea, there is one region that inevitably comes to mind first: Shizuoka.

For generations, Shizuoka has remained one of the most important tea-producing regions in Japan. Yet Shizuoka tea is far more than a large-scale agricultural product. It is a cultural landscape shaped by mountain mist, flowing rivers, fertile soil, and the quiet devotion of countless generations.

At Ginza Fuka, we believe tea is not merely defined by flavor.
It carries the memory of a place — its atmosphere, its silence, and the passage of time itself.

The Beginning of Tea Culture in Shizuoka

The origins of tea cultivation in Shizuoka are said to date back to the Kamakura period.

According to tradition, the Zen monk Shoichi Kokushi brought tea seeds from China and planted them in the Ashikubo area, laying the foundation for what would eventually become Shizuoka tea culture. During the Edo period, when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his presence in Sunpu, tea culture in the region became increasingly refined and sophisticated.

By the Meiji era, Japanese tea had emerged as a major export industry, and Shizuoka — blessed with both mountainous terrain and access to trade ports — evolved into the heart of Japanese tea production.

Yet the essence of Shizuoka tea cannot be measured by production numbers alone.

Its true character lies in the soft shadows of the mountains, the stillness of tea fields wrapped in morning fog, and the delicate fragrance born from leaves nourished by cool river air.

Mountain Tea and the Signature Aroma of Shizuoka

One of the defining characteristics of Shizuoka tea is its mountain-grown tea culture.

Great rivers such as the Abe River, Oi River, and Tenryu River flow through the region, while numerous tea-producing villages flourish in their upper mountain valleys. Areas such as Honyama, Kawane, Tenryu, Haruno, Ryogochi, and Warashina are especially celebrated among tea artisans and enthusiasts.

These mountain regions experience dramatic temperature differences between day and night. Combined with the gentle veil of mountain mist that naturally shields the tea leaves from harsh sunlight, the result is a tea of remarkable elegance — layered with subtle sweetness, refined umami, and a quietly lingering finish.

Shizuoka teas pair especially beautifully with lightly steamed processing methods, producing a crystal-clear golden liquor, refined fragrance, and an almost ethereal delicacy.

The beauty of Shizuoka tea is not loud or overpowering.
Its charm lies in restraint.

Rather than overwhelming the senses in the first sip, it slowly unfolds with grace and depth as one continues drinking.
That quiet sophistication is the very essence of Shizuoka tea.

The Innovation of Deep-Steamed Tea

At the same time, Shizuoka tea is not defined by tradition alone.

The development of fukamushi-cha — deep-steamed tea — became one of the region’s most influential contributions to modern Japanese tea culture.

By steaming the leaves longer than conventional methods, the tea develops a richer body, deeper green color, and softer texture. Today, deep-steamed Shizuoka tea is admired around the world for its approachable sweetness and smoothness.

In this sense, Shizuoka tea embodies two worlds simultaneously:

The delicate serenity of mountain tea,
and the spirit of innovation that continues to shape modern tea culture.

Perhaps this balance is precisely why Shizuoka has remained at the center of Japanese tea for so many generations.

Ginza Fuka and the Spirit of Shizuoka

The spirit of Shizuoka lives deeply within Ginza Fuka.

The cold mountain air drifting through narrow valleys.
Tea fields disappearing into morning mist.
The quiet sound of tea leaves being processed by skilled hands.
And the devotion of families who have protected this tradition for generations.

To us, Shizuoka is not simply a place of origin.
It is a philosophy of refinement, silence, and atmosphere.

Tea is more than a beverage.
It is a landscape preserved in memory.

And Shizuoka tea may well represent the purest expression of Japan’s enduring pursuit of elegance, subtlety, and tranquility.