Each year at the height of the new tea season, the Daikokuji Temple and Tamba Tea Festival draws visitors to the scenic Ajima area of Tamba Sasayama City in Hyogo. As the leading tea-producing region in the prefecture, Tamba Sasayama transforms in late spring with rolling green fields and the fragrant scent of freshly sprouted tea leaves filling the air.
The festival, which began in 1981, typically takes place in early June near the Cha no Sato Kaikan and Daikokuji Temple, a site designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Visitors can enjoy a variety of unique experiences that highlight the area’s deep tea culture. These include guided tea-picking sessions in scenic fields usually closed to the public, hands-on tea leaf rolling, and tastings of freshly harvested tea available only during this season.
One of the highlights is the symbolic "Tamba Teapot Road" procession, where a monk plays a traditional flute while carrying tea leaves to Daikokuji Temple. In addition to tea-centered activities, the event features food stalls, a local product market, and the Ajiwai Hiroba area where guests can sample the local cuisine.
Tamba tea, though less known than Kyoto's Uji tea, has a history dating back to the Heian period. The region's signature morning fog helps develop a rich flavor that balances bitterness and sweetness. With its beautiful setting, cultural traditions, and flavorful brews, the festival offers a perfect way to experience the slower, more fragrant side of rural Japan.
