Experience One of Japan’s Top Tea-Producing Regions on a Day Trip: A Journey Exploring Japanese Tea, Nature, and Local Cuisine in Kakegawa

Kakegawa City sits near the geographical center of Japan, making it convenient to reach from just about anywhere.
It’s around 1 hour and 50 minutes by Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo, about 1 hour from Nagoya, and roughly 2 hours and 10 minutes from Shin-Osaka.
Located along a prime route linking eastern and western metropolises, Kakegawa is an easy place to visit.

Kakegawa has been famous for tea since olden times, with cultivation dating back to the Edo period.
Benefiting from a mild climate and fertile soil, the region grows high-quality tea.
Especially noteworthy is the “Chagusaba Farming Method,” recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), which produces tea known for being eco-friendly, mellow, and delicious.
Its tea quality is widely esteemed across the country, earning numerous awards at competitions.

Kakegawa Station is the only Tokaido Shinkansen stop featuring a wooden station building still in use. Its warm, retro facade heightens the traveler’s anticipation.
Begin your Kakegawa trip here.

A symbol of the city selected among Japan’s Top 100 Castles, Kakegawa Castle offers a sweeping view of town from its main keep, and on clear days, you may spot Mt. Fuji—truly a special location.

Within the castle park, which commands such lovely vistas, stands “Ninomaru Chashitsu” (the second bailey tea house).
Here you can enjoy deep-steamed sencha or matcha made with Kakegawa tea, known nationwide for its large production volume.

Savor the mildly astringent, mellow “Kakegawa deep steamed tea” alongside a seasonally themed wagashi crafted by a local confectioner, evoking a sense of the upcoming season.
The smooth texture and gentle sweetness of the bean paste bring comfort.
Surrounded by seasonal flowers, hanging scrolls, and the view of an elegant Japanese garden just beyond, you can relish a calm, out-of-the-ordinary moment.

At the all-weather facility Kakegawa Kachoen, you can enjoy beautiful flowers and get up-close with birds all year round.

Amazingly, the birds are incredibly near!
In the free-flying zone, many of them gather and soar just over your head, making it feel like you’ve wandered into their haven.
Holding specialized feed in your hand, you wait with excitement for the birds to approach on their own.
Feeling the warmth of a bird perched in your palm and seeing the vibrancy of its feathers up close are unique joys of this place.

After a bird show or a photo session with penguins, take a break under blooming flowers at the “Food Cafe Hanahana,” sampling adorable, bird-inspired sweets.
Highly recommended is the “Kakegawa Tea Latte,” brimming with the aroma of local tea.
The blend of Kakegawa tea jelly and lightly sweetened whipped cream offers both texture and flavor.

Having indulged in tea ceremonies and sweets, continue your journey with a lunchtime stop at a specialty Japanese tea shop.
“Nihoncha Kimikura Honten” serves a popular “Cha no Ka Gozen,” featuring tea in many aspects of the meal.

“Spring Matcha Rice,” a seasonal dish pairing matcha with fresh ingredients, looks as delightful as it tastes.
The kombu-laden soup boasts gyokuro, while the white-fish ankake sauce includes sencha leaves, each highlighting tea’s subtle flavors.
Seated in an upscale interior with decorative teaware and views of a traditional Japanese garden, you’ll enjoy a serene lunch.

On the first floor, you can purchase carefully selected teas, sweets, and teaware, sourced not only from around Shizuoka but across Japan.
Whether for yourself or as a special present for someone, it’s a worthwhile place to browse.

On a sprawling 10-hectare farm, “Kiwi Fruit Country Japan” offers all-you-can-eat kiwi!
You can also compare different cultivars.
Up to 15 varieties grow here year-round, with 2–3 in season and ready to pick at any one time.

Worried you might not notice the differences? Don’t be—each variety is visibly distinct.
You’ll discover how kiwis differ in aroma, sweetness, and flesh texture, revealing a new side to this fruit’s character.
After tasting, you can buy your favorite in the adjacent shop.
You’re free to wander the farm, taking pictures at scenic spots and interacting with animals like sheep.

Other activities include barbecues or “tea-picking” experiences, unique to Kakegawa—a renowned tea hub.
From kids to adults, spend a relaxed day immersed in nature.

“Chanoniwa” is a cafe offering magnificent views of tea fields either through large windows inside or from terrace seating, letting you savor the aroma of tea in the open air.
Even from outside, the tea fragrance is deeply relaxing.

You’ll find everything from casual menu items like matcha lattes to a more formal option where you whip your own matcha.
Their “Matcha Sweets Set” features terrine, brûlée, and ice cream—all made with Kakegawa matcha.
Crafted to optimize matcha’s flavor, each dessert—whether the terrine’s rich mouthfeel or the brûlée’s velvety texture—reveals a new dimension of matcha delights.
Don’t forget to visit the attached shop, which stocks original teas, confections, teaware, and other items to enhance your tea time at home.

Located inside the station, “Korekkshika Dokoro” sells seasonal fruits and local specialty products.

They carry over 50 kinds of tea, all from Shizuoka Prefecture.
Among them, “Kakegawa deep steamed tea” is a perennial favorite, and you can choose from various package designs and sizes.

There’s also a wide range of confections. “Koi Cha Miruku,” a white chocolate sandwiched between crisp dark-tea langue de chat cookies, is recommended.
Its sweet-yet-slightly-bitter taste is irresistibly good.

In addition, the beloved local bakery delivers fresh-baked “Kakegawa Tea Melon Pan” around noon daily.
The pastry features cookie dough infused with Kakegawa tea and bean paste, making it all about tea from top to bottom.
Its chewy texture also makes it quite satisfying.
Consider taking home this exclusively local flavor as a fitting finale to your trip.

On Mt. Awagatake’s slope, you can see a giant “茶（tea）” character.
Though sometimes visible from afar, be sure to stop at the “Chagusaba Farming Viewpoint.”
Made of cypress, the character measures about 130 meters both vertically and horizontally.
The size, especially compared to nearby structures, is impressive.
Relish Kakegawa’s iconic scenery—tea fields, Mt. Awagatake, and the bold “茶（tea）” character.

Atop Mt. Awagatake (532m above sea level), Kapposhi Terrace presents refreshing views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bay.
Its second floor offers panoramic scenery, and on the first floor is a cafe serving lunch and sweets made with local tea.
From “Higashiyama Ippukudokoro” at the mountain’s base, the summit is about one hour on foot or ten minutes by car.

Using taxis is recommended to efficiently experience Kakegawa’s food and nature.
The town is scenic all year round.

Shin-cha (the first tea harvest) season typically spans late April to early May.
During this period, the tea fields glow a vibrant green, and you can see scenes of tea plucking and tea trimming unique to this tea-producing heartland.
As the aroma and umami intensify, it’s a perfect time to savor these special seasonal teas.