Excursion Green tea farm experience tour at Shimizu
Cruise line: SilverseaDifficulty:
Discover why Japan is ‘steeped’ in tea history during this immersive, half-day excursion and tasting at the Green Tea Farm.
Shimizu, Green Tea Farm, Guided Walking Tour
Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour drive to the renowned Green Tea Farm. A local farmer greets your arrival, and escorts you on a tour of his factory. Along the way, discover how to pick, taste, and eat green tea. First, see and learn about the production process, and how it takes five years for new growth tea plants to yield the first harvest.
Tea Leaf-Picking, Tea Preparation
Next, you are invited to pick your own tea leaves. In the event of inclement weather or a visit out-of-season, the tea leaf-picking portion of the tour takes place inside the factory. Afterward, the farmer shows you how to prepare a perfect cup of tea utilising your own, freshly-picked tea leaves.
Green Tea Tastings, Japanese Sweets, Gift Shoppe, Green Tea & Tea Bottle Souvenirs
Once it is freshly-brewed to perfection, enjoy a tasting of three delicious green teas served with Japanese sweets. Following your tea tastings, you are invited to browse the onsite gift shoppe. Before leaving, the farmer presents you with green tea and a tea bottle as delightful mementos of your visit. At the conclusion of your tour, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour drive back to the pier.
Points of interests
Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Shimizu, Green Tea Farm, Tea Leaf-Picking, Tea Preparation, Green Tea Tastings, Japanese Sweets, Gift Shoppe, Complimentary Green Tea & Tea Bottle Souvenirs
Note
Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 0.43 miles (about 0.7 kilometres), at times over uneven, natural, and cobblestone surfaces, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and 30 steps at the Green Tea Farm. Walking at the Green Tea Farm is at the discretion of each guest. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, raingear, bottled water, and Japanese Yen or credit cards for purchases from the ship. Although credit cards are mostly accepted, Japanese Yen is required for any purchases; guests are advised to exchange money at the airport prior to the cruise. Proper attire is required to enter temples and shrines; shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted. Guests must be at least 12 years old to participate on this tour; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18 years old. Guests must be at least 20 years old to be served alcoholic beverages. Infrastructure in Shimizu may be basic, and local conditions may be challenging; coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other ports. Therefore, we urge flexibility and understanding as we visit unique, less-touristic destinations. The cost of providing a tour programme in this area is proportionately more expensive than in neighbouring regions, as vehicles and guides are brought in from the whole region. This may be reflected in the prices of the tours, and we thank you for your understanding. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. This tour does not operate from December-February. Tea leaf picking might take place inside the greenhouse due to the weather or a visit occurring outside the growing season. The driving time between the pier and Green Tea Farm is approximately one hour in each direction. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
