What is kabusetea in Japan? We will also introduce spots where you can enjoy kabusetea in Mizusawa, Yokkaichi YokkaichiCity.

▼Table of contents

• What is kabusetea?
• Mie Prefecture has the highest production volume of kabusetea in Japan!
• Where is Mizusawa?
• The person who taught me about kabusetea was Mr. Yamada, director of YokkaichiCity Tea Industry Promotion Center.
• Introducing two shops run by tea farmers where you can enjoy kabusetea!
• MARUIKE TEA WORKS
• kabusetea Cafe
• Recommended spots nearby
• YokkaichiCityFureai-Farm
• Mizusawa Momiji Valley

What is kabusetea?

Do you know what "kabusetea" is? kabusetea is tea that is harvested by covering the new buds of a tea tree with a black covering called kanreisha for about two weeks before harvesting.

By covering it and blocking direct sunlight, the increase in catechin, which is a bitter ingredient, is suppressed, and theanine, which is a flavor ingredient, is less likely to be broken down. For this reason, kabusetea is a tea that is full of flavor and sweetness. It also increases chlorophyll, making the tea leaves a bright green color.

It depends on the variety, but around Golden Week for new tea and around June for second tea, the tea fields around Mizusawa are covered in cheesecloth and turned black.

Mie Prefecture has the highest production volume of kabusetea in Japan!

Even if you are learning about kabusetea for the first time, you may have heard the name "Ise GreenTea" somewhere. Because it has the name "Ise," it is sometimes mistaken to be a tea made in the Ise area, but Ise GreenTea is tea produced in Mie Prefecture, and is the unified brand name for Mie tea. Therefore, Mizusawa's kabusetea is also a type of Ise GreenTea. In Mie Prefecture, kabusetea is also cultivated in Nabe, Suzuka, Kameyama, and other areas.

Mie Prefecture is the third largest producer of tea in the country, but it also boasts the largest production of kabusetea in the country. (as of 2023)

Where is Mizusawa?

The Mizusawa district is located at the foot of the Suzuka Mountains, at the southwest end of YokkaichiCity and is rich in nature.

It is located right between Yunoyama Onsen and TsubakiGrandShrine, so we recommend visiting these three places together.

Since Shin-Meishin Expressway has good access from Komono IC and Suzuka PA Smart IC, the number of people visiting from Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya has increased since the Shin-Meishin Expressway opened.

Mr. Yamada, director of YokkaichiCity Tea Industry Promotion Center, taught us about kabusetea

YokkaichiCity Tea Industry Promotion Center is conducting various activities to help more people learn about kabusetea and Mizusawa.

On August 26th (Sat) from 10:00 to 15:00, the ``Suizawa Marche in Tea Industry Promotion Center'' will be held, where local Mizusawa agricultural products and gourmet food will be gathered. (Rain or shine) "This event has ended"

YokkaichiCity Tea Industry Promotion Center

〇Address 252-63 Mizusawa-cho, suizawacho YokkaichiCity Mie Prefecture
〇Official URL https://www.city.yokkaichi.mie.jp/farm/tea-industry-promotion-center/
〇Telephone number 059-329-3367
〇Business hours 9:00-16:00
〇Closed: Every Monday (if Monday is a holiday, the following weekday), New Year holidays
〇Access by car Approximately 10 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway "Suzuka PA Smart IC", approximately 20 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway "Komono IC"
〇Access by public transportation From JR/Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station, take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for “Miyazumaguchi” and walk 3 minutes from the bus stop “Shonen Shizen no Ieguchi”
〇Parking available (approx. 30 spaces)
〇Toilet available

​Click here for Instagram of YokkaichiCity Tea Industry Promotion Center

Introducing two shops run by tea farmers where you can enjoy kabusetea!

MARUIKE TEA WORKS

A reservation-only Japanese tea cafe run by a tea farmer adjacent to a tea plantation. (No coffee provided)

The restaurant has a stylish and calm atmosphere with 5 seats at the counter.

Hospitality by tea professionals

The owner is a tea specialist and is a certified Japanese tea instructor. It seems that he sometimes travels in search of various types of tea. The sight of tea being brewed at the counter is a true hospitality experience. On this day, he was wearing Samue.

The menu of MARUIKE TEA WORKS is
"Tea and today's tea sweets" (800 yen including tax),
``Tea Seating at the Counter'' where you can easily experience a sencha tea ceremony at the counter (1,000 yen including tax, reservations possible for 2 or more people);
"kabusetea Workshop" where you can learn how to brew kabusetea (2,000 yen including tax, reservations possible for 2 or more people)
3 types.

Please make your reservation as early as possible.

In each case, you can enjoy 2 or 3 types of Japanese tea, Japanese black tea, etc., as well as sweets of the day. The owner will choose the tea depending on your mood that day, but he will also cater to your wishes.

On this day, I ordered a ``tea seat at the counter.'' The tea is brewed using a method based on Senchado. The tea I chose was of course kabusetea.

I received the varieties ``Saemidori'' and ``Asanoka.'' The tea was hot, but since it was summer, they served it in a glass teacup. One of the things that the owner always values is a sense of the season. kabusetea has a delicious and sweet taste and is really delicious!

Sweets are also excellent

Today's sweet was Mizumanju, and it was the owner who made it! The skill is professional level. The presentation is refreshing and beautiful. I scooped it up with a net and put it on a plate.

The second sweet is a muffin. This is handmade by the owner's sister. The contents of the sweets change depending on the season. You can also feel the good taste and attention to detail in the tea utensils and plates.

Tea leaves are also sold in the store.

kabusetea "Saemidori" that I received this time is one of Marui Kee Tea Works' signature products.

The tea plantation can be seen from below the shelves where the tea leaves are placed. This kind of innovation is also wonderful.

Click here for details on MARUIKE TEA WORKS business days etc.

In a calm space, I was able to enjoy kabusetea and the owner's hospitality to my heart's content.

The owner is not only involved in the tea business, but also engages in other tea-related activities. Therefore, Marui Kee Tea Works is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between the end of July and the end of March. Other temporary closures and contents may change. Be sure to check the details on the website before making a reservation!

〇Address 1022-1 Mizusawa-cho, suizawacho YokkaichiCity Mie Prefecture
〇Official URL https://www.maruike.mie.jp/
〇Telephone number 080-6947-7950 (Shopkeeper's cell phone)
〇Business hours: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (10:00-17:00) Reservations required by 17:00 the day before.
For kabusetea workshop, reservations must be made at least one week in advance (minimum of 2 people).
〇Access by car Approximately 10 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway "Suzuka PA Smart IC", approximately 20 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway "Komono IC"
〇Access by public transportation From JR/Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station, take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for Miyazumaguchi and get off at the Sanbonmatsu bus stop, then walk for 1 minute.
〇Parking available (about 4 spaces)

kabusetea Cafe

kabusetea Cafe, as the name suggests, is a tea cafe where you can enjoy tea, mainly kabusetea. (No coffee provided)

It is run by a tea farmer who knows everything about tea, using an old private house that was built over 75 years ago. For some people, the restaurant feels nostalgic, and for others, the retro atmosphere feels refreshing. For me, in my 40s, it feels like being at my grandparents' house when I was a child, and it feels nostalgic and very calming.

Compare the varieties

kabusetea Cafe has several tea menus, but the one I particularly recommend is the ``Mikurabe Zen'' (1,200 yen including tax). You can choose and compare three types of tea, including kabusetea, Hojicha, Genmaicha, and Japanese black tea. It's a luxurious looking set that comes with sweets and arare chazuke. It can be served in Banko-Yaki yaki tea utensils, a specialty of Yokkaichi and its surrounding areas.

This time I chose kabusetea, of course. There are several varieties of kabusetea, and here you can choose the one that interests you from among the several varieties. The menu clearly explains the characteristics of each variety.

I like ``Saeakari,'' which has a sweet aroma reminiscent of corn and edamame, ``Tsuyuhikari,'' which has a sweet taste at first and has a pleasant astringency after drinking, and ``Tsuyuhikari,'' which has a faint floral-like aroma after drinking it. I tried ``Sofu'', which releases the scent deep into your nose.

When the drinking comparison set is brought to you, the hot water is already in the hot water cooler, and the temperature is just right for brewing kabusetea. Pour the hot water into the teapot, and when the tea leaves open, slowly pour the tea to the last drop. These last few drops contain a lot of flavor.

Actually, this drinking competition is in the form of a quiz, and the name of the variety each person chose is written on the back of the paper under the teacup.

Delicious to eat

You can drink tea leaves for a second or third brew as long as the flavor remains, but just drinking it is not the end. At kabusetea Cafe, you can pour ponzu sauce over your tea leaves after drinking!

kabusetea is a high-quality tea, so the tea leaves are soft and have a texture similar to spinach soup. It's delicious with the umami remaining and just the right amount of bitterness. It's also great that you can take in the dietary fiber and vitamins that remain in the tea leaves.

Ideas unique to tea farmers

At kabusetea Cafe, you can purchase accessories made by the daughter of the family that runs this cafe. They have wonderful earrings, hairpins, rings, etc., and the prices are reasonable.

In fact, there are real kabusetea tea leaves inside! Tea farmers can come up with ideas that normal people would not think of. Each tea leaf inside is a nice accent and is very beautiful.

Click here for details such as kabusetea Cafe's business days.

kabusetea Cafe is run by tea farmers who also work in the tea business, so the cafe is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. (Open on Sundays during August)

The store sells not only tea leaves but also tea utensils. Until September 30th (Saturday), there will also be other menu items such as kabusetea ice and Hojicha ice made with plenty of tea.

Temporary closures and menu items may change, so be sure to check the website before heading out!

kabusetea Cafe (Marushige Shimizu Seicha Co., Ltd.)

〇Address 998 Mizusawa-cho, Yokkaichi YokkaichiCity suizawacho
〇Official URL https://marushige-cha.jp/
〇Telephone number 059-329-2611
〇Business hours Thursday, Friday, Saturday (10:00-17:00) Also open on Sundays during August.
〇Access by car Approximately 20 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway "Komono IC", approximately 10 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway "Suzuka PA Smart IC"
〇Access by public transportation From JR/Kintetsu Yokkaichi Station, take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for Miyazumaguchi and get off at the Sanbonmatsu bus stop, then walk for 3 minutes.
〇Parking available (about 10 spaces)
〇Covered kabusetea ice/Hojicha ice (900 yen each including tax)

Click here for an article introducing kabusetea ice👇

A summer tradition at kabusetea Cafe! Shaved ice made with plenty of tea has started!

Recommended spots nearby

YokkaichiCityFureai-Farm

YokkaichiCityFureai-Farm is a dairy farm located on a hill facing a tea plantation. There are Jersey cows, goats, ponies, and small animals, making it a very homely atmosphere and a popular spot for families with children.

Fureai Farm's specialty soft serve ice cream is sold at the shop. (380 yen including tax)

Very popular among adults and children alike, it is rich yet refreshing with a moderate sweetness. You can also buy dairy products, local Mizusawa tea, cookies, and more. Many people are eating soft-serve ice cream while looking out at the tea fields in front of the shop. On a clear day, you can even see Ise Bay in the distance!

Click here for details on YokkaichiCityFureai-Farm

〇Address 1538 Mizusawa-cho, Yokkaichi YokkaichiCity suizawacho
〇Official URL https://sites.google.com/site/fureaibokujyou/
〇Telephone number 059-329-3711
〇Store business hours 11:00-15:00
〇The shop is closed during bad weather such as Wednesdays, Thursdays, rain, and in winter (December to the end of March) The farm itself is open all year round, and admission is free.
〇Other Cowshed tours are available from the end of morning cleaning until around 2:00 p.m. (Recommended time is around 12:00); tours may not be possible depending on the weather or circumstances.
Currently, animal petting experiences, milking experiences, and butter making experiences are not available. The only experience available is the goat feeding experience (limited quantity).
〇No pets allowed
〇Contents may change depending on weather and conditions. When you go out, we recommend that you check the details on the Fureai Farm website.
〇Toilet available (There is a baby cot in the women's restroom outside, and a wheelchair-accessible restroom in the store building)
〇Parking available (approx. 60 spaces, free of charge), 2 parking spaces available in front of the store<
〇Access by car Approximately 15 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway "Komono IC", approximately 15 minutes by car from Shin-Meishin Expressway "Suzuka PA Smart IC"

Mizusawa Momiji Valley

Mizusawa Momiji Valley is a representative tourist attraction in Mizusawa and one of the popular autumn foliage spots in Mie Prefecture. In the valley surrounded by maple leaves, there is a resting space with a wooden desk and chairs, adding to the beautiful scenery of the maple leaves.

If you go down from the north to the south of the valley, you will also see a red bridge. From spring to summer, the contrast with the blue maple leaves is beautiful.

The autumn leaves in Momiji Valley begin to change color from the top of the valley (road side). Depending on the climate of the year, the leaves in the middle of the valley turn red a little later, usually from early to mid-December. The degree of coloration may also vary depending on the year.

The scale of Momiji Valley is not that large, so you can walk around the entire area in about 30 minutes. Especially on the north side of the valley, there is a slope, so be careful where you step!

Regarding the parking lot, there is space for several cars on the south side of Momiji Valley.

There is a parking lot on the east side of Momiji Valley that takes advantage of the natural terrain and can accommodate about 20 cars.

Also, I hope to be able to provide detailed information about Momiji Valley once the autumn leaves are in season.

Click here for information about Momiji Valley during the autumn leaves season.

How was it?

Mizusawa is famous for the beautiful autumn leaves of the Momiji Valley, but I hope this article will help you learn more about kabusetea and the beautiful scenery of Mizusawa's tea plantations. When you come to Mie Prefecture, be sure to stop by the Mizusawa area of YokkaichiCity! Thank you for reading to the end!