The Oigawa River originates from the far southern Alps. Nissaka area, Higashiyama district, Kakegawa City, where Otsuka Green Tea is located, is a region where the river flow is blocked by Awagadake Mountain at an altitude of 532m and makes a big turn. A dynamic change of flow close to 90 degrees causes the accumulation of nutrient, acidic yellow soil which is suitable for tea trees to grow.
There is a district called Ohayashi in Higashiyama.
It is a terrain where thick fog is generated so that people say "Mibayashi is above the clouds".
This fog becomes a natural cover that blocks ultraviolet rays, and the color of the tea leaves becomes darker, resulting in high-quality tea leaves that are rich in umami.
In addition, Awagadake mountain, which rises to the west, prevents the winter dry wind from north and increases the temperature difference between day and night, and provides an environment that can be said to be perfect for growing tea plants.
A Tea-grass integrated system that has continued for over 150 years since the cultivation of tea began around Kakegawa area. Withered grass such as Japanese pampas grass that grows around the tea plantation is spread in the furrows of the tea plantation to keep the temperature in the soil stable during the winter and promote decomposition by bacteria to create a nutrient-rich soil.
We believe that this is the best tea plantation in Japan. You do not need to be a professional to tell the difference between good or bad tea leaves. First of all, the area of the tea leaves must be large. It is also important that the leaves are densely packed inside even if the tea plants are squeezed by hand. Such tea leaves will not grow unless the branches are tailored (pruned), fertilizer, water, etc., in good weather conditions.