A relaxing Japanese cultural experience where you can heal your heart while enjoying creative French cuisine in a tatami room of an old folk house, after trying tea picking and tea making near the forest where Totoro lives!

Overview

Sayama Hills are only an hour away from central Tokyo, where Totoro is said to live, which is famous for the animated movie "My Neighbor Totoro". The landscape of Satoyama, dotted with lakes, thickets, and green tea farms, is an oasis for the soul that makes everyone feel nostalgic. If you walk along the path, you will encounter various plants, insects, and wild birds. Near the Sayama hills, which are truly a treasure trove of nature, you can see many tea farmers producing Sayama tea, one of Japan’s three most famous teas. One of them, Wada-en, is a simple, long-established tea farm that has been loved by locals for a long time.

In addition to experiencing tea picking and learning basic tea knowledge, you can also enjoy homemade Italian food made with local ingredients. "Wahoan", an old private house built nearly 70 years ago, located in the Wada-en, can accommodate up to 8 people. You can also use the bathroom and kitchen freely. It is a relaxing spot that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, such as those who want to spend some quiet time alone in the tea garden, travelers tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, and families who want to spend their holidays relaxing.

Experience itinerary

Satoyama experience: you can enjoy Japanese tea and a walk in the hills.

1. Presentation of basic tea knowledge
2. Tea picking experience (or tea making experience)
3. Tea factory tour
4. Walk around Sayama Hills
5. Meals using local ingredients
6. Brewing and tasting high quality Sayama tea

 The duration of the tour: 4.5 hours.

 Minimum and maximum number: 2 up to 8 people

 Personnel expense, text book and other teaching materials, tea leaves for experiences, Japanese sweets, ingredients for cooking, and green tea souvenir are included in this package.  (English translation available.)

Please let us know your desired date at least 5 weeks in advance.

Participation requirements

Participants must be 12 years old or older to take a walk through the hills, and 6 years old or older to join the green tea experience. Both require that parents take care of them. Infants may be brought along, but they must be also supervised by the parents at all times.

Booking

Please make a reservation and pay at least 3 weeks before you visit.

As a general rule, there will be no refunds after payment is made.

Further remarks

Our professional concierge team will carefully guide and support you. Please contact our concierge center and make a reservation. We're happy to answer any questions, customize your package, and we will suggest the perfect way to enjoy it for you. 

 We will deliver an unforgettable experience where you can fully enjoy the nature of the Sayama region and Sayama tea.

 Feel free to contact us.

Access

Wada-en, 3-1157-3, Mikajima, Tokorozawa, Saitama