Kakegawa, Tea production center in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Kakegawa is a coastal town in Shizuoka Prefecture that sits between the Pacific Ocean and forested mountains in the southwest of the region. The town consists of several neighborhoods with residential areas, shopping streets and tea plantations that reach up to the hills in the north.
The settlement grew around a fortress built in the late 15th century that served as an important stronghold along the old Tokaido road between Kyoto and Edo. After the restoration of imperial rule in the 19th century, the place developed into a trading center for agricultural products from the region.
The town is known for its green tea grown on surrounding hillsides and processed in local facilities. Visitors can sample freshly brewed infusions in many tea houses and see how harvests are traditionally picked by hand.
Rail connections with high-speed trains bring travelers from central Tokyo in under two hours, with the station located in the town center. From there, tea plantations in the outskirts can be reached on foot or by local bus within 20 minutes.
A bird park on the eastern edge of town houses over 2000 birds from around the world that live in large aviaries and tropical greenhouses. The facility is considered one of the largest of its kind in Japan and also offers interactive areas where visitors can see some species up close.
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