Wazuka

Wazuka is a town in Kyoto Prefecture dedicated to tea cultivation, with farms spread across hillsides near the Wazuka River. The landscape consists of sloped green fields arranged in layers, creating a distinctive rural pattern.

Tea production began in this region over 800 years ago during the Kamakura period and has shaped the local economy ever since. The present-day town was formed in 1954 when three villages merged.

Local families practice tea growing techniques passed down through generations, shaping how the land looks and how daily work unfolds. These methods remain central to the community's identity and connect people to their surroundings.

Reaching Wazuka involves taking a train to Kamo Station on the JR Kansai Main Line and then connecting by local bus. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for walking on sloped paths, as the tea fields sit on hillsides throughout the area.

Morning fog rolling from the Wazuka River naturally shades the tea plants and enhances their flavor in ways that help define this region's reputation. This daily weather pattern plays an important role in what makes the local tea distinctive.

Location: Kyoto Prefecture

Location: Soraku District

Inception: December 15, 1954

Shares border with: Kizugawa, Kasagi, Minamiyamashiro, Ujitawara, Ide, Koka

Website: https://town.wazuka.lg.jp

GPS coordinates: 34.79564,135.90489

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:00