Tea production area: Tanba City, Tanba Sasayama City, Kamikawa Town, Sanda City, Asago City, Kato City, Asago City
Brand name of tea: Tanba tea, Tanba Sasayama tea, Senrei tea, Boshi tea, etc.
Types of tea: Sencha (steamed green tea), hojicha (roasted green tea), black tea, etc.

Hyogo Prefecture’s tea has a long history. Nihon Koki (日本後紀), an ancient history book compiled by Imperial command mentions that Emperor Saga ordered for the cultivation of tea plants in Kinai, Omi, Tanba, Harima, etc. and then the tea was presented him in 815. Hyogo Prefecture is the current location of the Tanba and Harima regions.

Tanba tea and Tanba Sasayama tea
Tea cultivated and produced in the Tanba region is called Tanba or Tanba Sasayama tea. This is a semi-mountainous area with altitudes ranging from 100 to 250 meters where temperatures variations in a day can be large and fog is often generated. This is good for tea cultivation.

Tea fields in Tanba Sasayama City (June 2019)

Daikoku-ji Temple and Tanba tea festival
“Daikoku-ji Temple and Tanba tea festival” has been held in Tanba Sasayama City in June every year. Serving of tea, the experience of picking tea leaves and other activities related to tea are conducted in the festival.
The festival was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the spread of COVID-19.

Daikokuj-ji temple and Tanba tea festival (June 2019)

Daikokuj-ji temple and Tanba tea festival (June 2019)

Memorial service for tea, Daikokuj-ji temple and Tanba tea festival
at Daikoku-ji temple (June 2019)

Senrei tea
Senrei tea is cultivated and produced in the mountainous area of Kamikawa Town which is rich in nature.  In the area there are streams of clear water and fog is often generated. These contribute to a good flavor tea. The Senrei tea has a history about 300 years.

Tea fields of Senrei tea (Jan. 2021)
The photo was provided by 株式会社仙霊 https://www.senrei-tea.com

However, the tea industry of Kamikawa Town has become endangered because of aging of tea farmers and a shortage of successors. A man who moved to Kamikita Town succeeded with a tea factory. He began producing tea without any chemicals and then established a company. Now the company produces various kinds of teas, not only sencha, hojicha, but also black tea and flavored tea using strawberries or roses which are local products.

Senrei black tea with dried strawberry

Moushi tea
Moushi tea is cultivated and produced in the Moushi district in Sanda City.

Tea related event: 大国寺と丹波茶まつり
Tea mascot Yuru-Chara: ちゃちゃん(丹波篠山茶応援キャラクター)

Reference:
松下智 (平成3年) 日本名茶紀行 (初版) 雄山閣出版
森田悌(2018) 日本後紀(中)全現代語訳 第8刷 講談社学術文庫 p.370
高野實・谷本陽蔵・富田勲・中川致之・岩浅潔・寺本益英・山田新市 (2005) 緑茶の事典 (改訂3版) 柴田書店
丹波篠山市茶の里会館のパネル「丹波茶の歴史」
丹波篠山市 丹波茶 https://edamame.sasayama.jp/cya.html
株式会社仙霊 https://www.senrei-tea.com

*When visiting the shops and facilities introduced in this article, please check the business hours on their website, etc. before visiting.
*The information provided on this site may be updated. If you find any information in this article that is incorrect, new, or incomplete, please contact CHAMART.
*The site does not describe all “Teas of Japan” or all “Teas of the World”. Additionally, each article expresses the writer’s personal experience and feelings.

#Tanbasasayamatea #Tanbatea #Japanesetea #Senreitea #hyogo