Drive into Wazuka’s green tea country for terraces that climb the hills and hands-on tasting at farmer-run cafés. This private half-day tour pairs matcha sampling and tea shopping with a cultural stop at Byodoin’s Phoenix Hall.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Mist rises from the rows of clipped tea bushes as the van eases onto a country lane — a colour so relentless it feels purposeful. You step out into terraces where the fields slope like green steps toward the valley and the air smells faintly of steam and sweet leaves. The tour threads through Wazuka’s tea farms, pauses at a farmer-run café for steaming matcha desserts, and folds in a stop at Byodoin’s Phoenix Hall, the Heian-period temple immortalized on Japan’s 10-yen coin.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
5–6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels — short, gentle walking and some stairs; long periods are spent seated in the vehicle.
Wildlife
History
Wazuka and nearby Uji developed reputation for superior tea during the Heian and medieval periods; Byodoin’s Phoenix Hall dates to the 11th century and reflects Pure Land Buddhist aesthetics.
Conservation
Stick to marked paths and resist trampling tea beds; buying directly from farmers supports small producers and incentivizes sustainable, low-intervention cultivation.
Reserve your spot on the Scenic Green Tea Fields of Hidden Kyoto & Local Tea Exp (Private) today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Respect the rows
Stay on marked footpaths and avoid stepping between tea bushes — doing otherwise damages delicate shrubs and angers farmers.
Morning light for photos
Schedule the tour for early morning to capture the richest green hues and softer shadows on the terraces.
Bring small cash
Many farm shops accept only cash for small packets of premium matcha and desserts — carry coins and small bills.
Comfortable, grippy shoes
Fields and farm lanes can be muddy or uneven after rain — low-profile hiking shoes or trail runners are recommended.
Trail or grippy shoes
Provide traction on farm paths and uneven country lanes.
Light waterproof jacket
Spring rains are common; a packable shell keeps you comfortable between stops.
spring
Reusable water bottle
Hydration during warm months; reduces single-use plastic at rural cafés.
summer
Compact camera or phone with wide-angle lens
Capture sweeping field patterns and intimate close-ups of tea leaves.