Exploring Japan - A Journey to the Tea Town of Wazuka in Kyoto

My first post in a series on the tea town of Wazuka that's located approximately one hour from Kyoto in Japan. I'm excited to share these images here on Steemit and will go in to more detail in later posts on the reasoning behind my journey here and what kind of projects I will be working on after this visit. First I will explain a little about the town of Wazuka and some of the reasons why this town is so special.

Wazuka is trademarked by the beautiful sweeping hills that have a strong pattern from where the tea is grown. The lines are partly thanks to the farmers who work diligently in this area to maintain the tea and trim the bushes. Since they are able to trim more times per year it creates this distinct beauty on the mountainside that is truly one of a kind.

This town was said to have been selected as a tea production area in the Kamakura period (1192-1333), making it is one of the oldest regions in Japan growing tea. The Wazuka river running through the centre of the town is key to the town's success. As the water rises in the morning a mist blankets the town and makes for a cooler climate with freshness in the air that revitalises the tea. Wazuka tea is famous for having a greenish golden yellow colours that has a fresh but sweet flavour.

There are still over 300 families dedicated to the craft of producing tea in this area, but since the average age of a tea farmer in Wazuka is 66 years old the rate of succession within families is dwindling. My links with supporting crafts and promoting younger craftsmen brought me to this town, with the goal of showcasing the beauty of Wazuka and highlighting the quality of tea that is produced here. Hopefully more people can come to Wazuka and enjoy the scenery, but it will be important to pass on the knowledge of the farmers and inspire a younger generation to come to this town, explore, and maybe even work. Here are a few images from my travels. Enjoy!