I experienced "My very own Ise GreenTea making & brewery cafe" at Marushin Ryokukoen!

In Inabe InabeCity, tea production has been popular since ancient times. It is widely known as the brand `` Ise GreenTea,'' but ``Ishigure tea'' from the area called ``Ishigure'' in the southern part of InabeCity is particularly well-received.

Today, we will be going to "Marushin Ryokukoen", where there is a young fifth-generation young husband! Its history spans over 140 years, and it even produces the tea presented to the Emperor.

With the "Make your own Ise GreenTea & Kura Cafe" plan, you can make your own Ise GreenTea by experiencing the tea ceremony by hand! Furthermore, after the experience, please spend a relaxing time in the historic "Kura Cafe" from the early Showa era. Only two groups are allowed per day, so why not relax and refresh yourself in an extraordinary experience filled with the aroma of tea without worrying about other people watching?

First, we went inside the tea factory for an "adult social tour."
As soon as you step inside, your entire body will be enveloped in the scent of tea.
Under the guidance of Noriaki Ito, the fifth generation owner of Marushin Ryoku Koen, you will be given a brief explanation of how tea is transformed from its leaf state into products.

The ``tea box'' is currently rapidly gaining popularity as an interior design item. The number of people using them as moisture-resistant storage boxes and chairs is rapidly increasing.
This is a dish that will make you want it so much that it makes you want to watch it.
It is packed with many tea boxes and has a wonderful texture with blurred letters.

When you open one of the tea boxes, it is full of freshly made tea!
Mr. Ito says, ``From here, we sift the leaves to separate the large and small leaves.You can even eat them in this state.The goal of today's hand-kneading experience is to get them into a state like this.''

It smells so good when you hold it in your hand and smell it! When you breathe on it, the scent doubles even more.
“It smells so strong!”
The tour has only just begun, but I'm already hooked on tea.

After the factory tour, we moved to Mr. Ito's home and started a simple hand kneading experience! Prepare the tea leaves and repeat the process of rolling them and then evaporating the moisture in the microwave 4 to 5 times.
Have fun working while chatting♪

The finished product will be so detailed! The tea leaves on the left are before being rolled, and the ones on the right are tea leaves that have been rolled to remove moisture.
It only takes about 10 minutes to make it this small!

You put tea leaves into a ``slightly nice teapot'' that is different from your usual teapot and is unique to a tea shop, and then pour hot water over it.
Then, close the lid and wait a while.

Now is the exciting moment.
When I brewed the tea...a beautiful golden brown tea came out!

Thoroughly to the last drop. Do not shake the teapot at this time. Be quiet and wait for the drops to fall.

“My very own Ise GreenTea” is completed! Even if you use the same ingredients, the same steps, and the same time of steaming, you can change the color, the depth of the flavor,
The density is very different.

"It's... strong!!!" "This is too!" When I compared it to the tea I usually drink, I was surprised at the difference in taste.
This time I think I left it a little too long and it turned out a little bitter. But you don't have to worry about it because there are professionals there. Add hot water to the teapot, rehydrate the tea, and brew the tea for the second time...
“It’s delicious!!” “Easy to drink!!”
A small difference in the amount can make a big difference in taste, and I was able to experience the depth of tea brewing.

Now, after making ``my very own Ise GreenTea,'' I headed to the storehouse on the premises. Apparently, this storehouse was built by the founder of Marushin Ryoku Koen himself in the early Showa period. It used to be a storage room, but for this project, we replaced the flooring and made tables and other items by hand. A complete change from before, a calm and healing time begins to flow. First, enjoy kabusetea brewed by the fifth generation and the Gyokuro served over ice.

Great service here! Introducing shaved ice topped with special tea syrup and served with Ishigure tea ice cream! (This is a behavior.) This tea syrup is homemade, and the Ito family's children eat it every day. This is a luxurious dish that also includes azuki beans from Mie Prefecture.

Furthermore, as a way of saying, ``Thank you for coming all the way!'', you can sample ``Toyojun Ise GreenTea Baumkuchen,'' which is made using Ishigure tea in collaboration with a sweets shop.

This Toyojun Ise GreenTea Baumkuchen is a limited edition product that cannot be purchased online and can only be purchased in stores. This Baumkuchen was originally made as a wedding gift for the fifth generation, and of course you can also purchase it and take it home. (1,500 yen per hole, seasonal from May to November)
http://www.marushin-ryokkouen.com/baum_kohen.html

There is a clock in the storehouse, but time has stopped. Enjoy a relaxing moment in the light of candles and lamps. The table, which is made from a single board, was made by reusing a huge pine tree that used to be in the garden of Marushinryoku Koen.

The candles used to light the room are ``Itsubi Candles,'' created by Anri Urata, a candle artist who lives in InabeCity.

After relaxing at the cafe, we received some souvenirs such as ``Tea pops in the bath!'' and `` kabusetea.'' In this sales space, a variety of products are sold, such as high-quality gyokuro, which is made with double shelves and is valuable even in the prefecture, as well as kabusetea and sweets made with tea, so you can take your time and enjoy choosing souvenirs. can. The experience lasted about 2 hours, and I was able to fully relax in an extraordinary experience!

Basic information (Marushin Ryokoen)
http://www.marushin-ryokkouen.com/
Address: 2225-2 Ishiguminami, InabeCity, Mie Prefecture
Transportation: 20 minutes from Yokkaichi IC, 20 minutes from Kuwana IC on Higashi-Meihan Expressway
Meishin Expressway 30 minutes from Yokaichi IC, 30 minutes from Sekigahara IC
There is a guide sign along National Route 421, and there is a free parking lot.

“My own Ise GreenTea making & brewery cafe”
Plan contents: ① Simple hand-kneaded tea experience + ② Cafe time at the brewery
Price: 2,300 yen per person (capacity 2-6 people)
Time: Approximately 2 hours (10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) Reservations required
Application: Reservations must be made at least 5 business days in advance
Phone number: 0594-78-0027