The heart of Uji tea alive in the present day
Tea remains the main industry today, accounting for 45% of Kyoto Prefecture’s production, distributed as high-quality Uji tea and traded at premium prices.。Among them, Wazuka Town produces nearly 40% of Uji tea, and its share of tencha production is about 20%, ranking among the top in the country.。
But here lies a value that cannot be expressed in numbers.for 800 years, steep slopes have been cultivated by hand with hoes to create tea fields, and consistently high-quality tea production has been maintained, which is a source of pride for the region.Even in today’s mechanized world,There are almost no tea fields accessible by riding harvesters, so portable harvesting machines are still the mainstream.This very effort is the foundation that supports the quality of Wazuka tea.
Why MIOKA chooses Wazuka
Wazuka tea is not just an agricultural product. It is a layering of time and a record of dialogue between people and nature. The story that began with a single seed sown by Jishin Shonin continues even now—this continuity is the embodiment of the “connection beyond time” that MIOKA cherishes.
Wazuka tea won the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award at the 43rd (1989) and 52nd (1998) National Tea Competition as “Wazuka Tea.”However, the true value lies not in awards but in the “respect for tea” that each Wazuka tea farmer continues to uphold.
The time of Wazuka contained in a single cup
When brewing MIOKA tea, the water temperature is 70-80°C, and the steeping time is 1-2 minutes—beyond these numbers, you can feel the morning and evening mist of Wazuka. The moment the tea leaves open in the water, 800 years of time quietly unfold.
Even if you have never walked through the tea fields of Wazuka, the moment you take a sip, that landscape appears in your mind. This is the power of memory held by the land of Wazuka, an intangible heritage conveyed through the medium of tea.
Eternity dwelling in the lingering taste
Thanks to this unique land and the extraordinary efforts of tea artisans, cultivation has been carried out for over 800 years, with its history woven through family-run operations.To enjoy a cup of Wazuka tea is to participate in this unbroken flow of time.
Even after the lingering misty aroma fades in your mouth, the scenery of Wazuka remains forever in your heart. This is the timeless and spatial connection that MIOKA’s tea possesses.
