Here at Obubu Tea you have a rare opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at the matcha tea farms in Wazuka, Kyoto Prefecture, known for Japan’s largest production and premium Japanese matcha, and experience a fun and educational experience of tea farming run by tea farmers. Whether you’re a matcha lover or a connoisseur, our matcha-focused tour will allow you to witness the long-standing traditions of matcha and deepen your understanding of the tea. During the tour, you’ll visit the surrounding tea fields and learn about matcha cultivation, then learn about the matcha milling process inside a factory. You’ll also sample freshly ground and seasonal matcha. We look forward to welcoming you on an unforgettable adventure through the origins and flavors of matcha.
Please note! This tour is a matcha experience run by a tea farmer with the concept of having fun and learning, and does not focus on the tea ceremony.
Tour Schedule
This tour is offered twice a day on the dates circled in the calendar at the bottom of this webpage, lasting two hours. To observe the matcha-making process, only adults aged 10 and over are allowed to participate, with a maximum of five people allowed per tour.
Morning Itinerary
- 10:00–10:20: Welcome tea and brief introduction at the tea plantation (while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains).
- 10:20–10:40: Matcha Stone Milling Tour. Change into a white lab coat and learn about the traditional and innovative Japanese matcha milling process.
- 10:40–11:45: Tasting of locally grown ceremonial matcha, seasonal matcha, and matcha ingredients such as tencha and kukicha.
- 11:45–12:00: Q&A and farewell.
Afternoon Itinerary
- 1:15 PM – 1:35 PM Welcome tea and brief introduction at the tea plantation (while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains).
- 1:35 PM – 1:55 PM Matcha Stone Milling Tour. Change into a white lab coat and learn about the traditional and innovative Japanese matcha milling process.
- 1:55 PM – 3:00 PM Tasting of locally grown ceremonial matcha, seasonal matcha, and matcha ingredients such as tencha and kukicha.
- 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM Q&A and farewell.
Tour Language
- Tours are conducted in English by English-speaking or bilingual staff.
Tour Price
- This is basically a sharing tour, with a limit of 5 people per tour, and the cost is 30,000 yen per person (tax included).
The price includes:
- Guided tour of the tea fields and the traditional and innovative matcha milling process
- Interactive tasting of seven locally grown Japanese teas, specializing in matcha
- Special white robes for an inside look
Directions to Obubu
- Click here for information on convenient direct shuttle buses from Kyoto Station and JR Kizu Station.
- For public transport directions to our tea farm please check here.
- Parking information
Frequently asked questions
Q – What is the luggage allowance per guest?
A – Each guest may bring one large bag and one carry-on.
Q – Is lunch included?
A – No, lunch is not included on this tour.
Q – Are there any vegetarian or vegan options?
A – Lunch is not included on this tour, but our cafe (opening March 2026) is nearby and serves lunch at an additional cost. We also offer vegetarian and vegan options.
Q – What happens to the tea tour if it rains heavily?
A – As long as public transportation (including taxis) is operating and not completely shut down, the tea tour will proceed as scheduled, even in heavy rain. Since over 80% of this tour is indoors, we will accommodate outdoor conditions in inclement weather.
Q – Can guests who are concerned about hiking participate in the tea tour?
A – The tea plantations visited on this tour are located near our tea factory, so even guests with hiking disabilities are welcome to visit the tea plantations.
Q – Regarding child fees and other child participation
A – This tour allows you to enter and view the stone milling process inside the production line. Children under 10 are not permitted. Therefore, all participants must pay the adult rate.
Q – Is there a place for children to wait during the two-hour tour? Also, is there a childcare service?
A – Children cannot wait alone. Also, there is no childcare service. Thank you for your understanding.
Q – Regarding private tours
A – This tour is generally a shared tour. If you would like to participate with just your group, a private tour is available for up to five people for the five-person fee, provided there are no reservations on the tour date and time.
Tea Tour Booking Steps:
To make a reservation, please check the availability on the calendar below. Currently, some of our tour dates are fully booked, so we recommend making your reservation at least one week in advance.
- To book your place on the tea tour please select a date from the calendar below.
- After submitting the booking form you will be directed to a payment page. Please make the payment at the time of the booking (you cannot return to the payment page afterwards).
- Your tour is reserved once the payment is confirmed (Stripe confirmation is regarded as the tour confirmation).
Cancellation:
- More than 14 days before the tour date: Full refund
- 14 – 7 days before the tour date: 80% refund
- 6 – 3 days before the tour date: 50% refund
- Less than 3 days before the tour date: No refund
- In case of a refund, we will refund you the amount after deducting the Transfer and Booking Fees.
We are looking forward to seeing you!
If you would like to stay in Wazuka longer than a day and haven’t found your accommodation yet, our recommendations are here. *Recommended on TripAdvisor and Rough Guides: