In recent years, matcha has jumped to world fame for its health benefits, deep flavors, and characteristic bright green color. But the art of matcha-making isn't a passing trend in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture, where local tea farmers have been harvesting and grinding tea leaves for centuries. It’s a way of life.

A leading producer of tencha (raw tea leaves used to make powdered matcha), Nishio has a long-standing tea culture with fascinating traditions you can experience in this leaf-to-cup experience, where you’ll partake in the entire production process of matcha in Nishio, and, of course, wrap up the day with a frothy, delicious bowl of Japan’s most famous green tea.

First, you'll meet your guide and get an overview of the process before dressing in a traditional tea-picking outfit and strolling along the tea fields of Nishio. You’ll then tour a local factory to see how leaves are dried and powdered to make matcha.

The tour will end with a relaxing tasting of five types of tea: matcha latte, green tea, sencha, hojicha, and Japanese black tea. You'll then enjoy a casual tea ceremony with a local English-speaking guide who will teach you how to whisk your own bowl of matcha like a pro. Don't forget to pick up some of your favorite tea as souvenirs before the tour ends!