Since 2024, we have had the honor and pleasure of spotlighting Japan’s number one tea-producing region, Suruga, thanks to our incredible partners, Visit Suruga. With their help, we have been able to show you just what makes the area so special, from its tea to its natural landscapes framed by Mt. Fuji, and tons of things to find, see, and do along the way. We have absolutely loved every second of discovering this hidden gem area, but it is certainly not a feat we could have accomplished without the help of the dedicated and passionate people who call this great land home. These talented local artisans work hard to continue family legacies whilst also finding new and innovative ways to bring old traditions alive and into the modern era. To introduce you to these craftpersons, or “heroes” as we call them, we have created a brand-new YouTube series dedicated to celebrating their stories and efforts in helping make Suruga the gem it is today. So, without further ado, let’s have a look at the six episodes, each featuring its own inspiring member of the region, that create the Heroes of Suruga!
Kazuya Moriki – A Japanese Farmer Growing Tea With Passion
In the very first episode of this series, we visit Moriki farms and meet Mr. Kazuya Moriki, an eighth-generation tea farmer who believes that tea is not just a crop but also identity, heritage, community, and care for the land. After his older brother stepped down, Moriki san took over the family business. Tea and farming are part of the Moriki DNA, so it’s not hard to see just how deep the love for developing Japan’s national beverage runs through each member of the team. Together, we learn about his long-standing fervor, how he views the future and past of both the farm and tea in Suruga, and the process he uses to create each delicious cup of tea that upholds the family name!
Anri Tazawa – A Japanese Artist Who Incorporates Tea Into Her Art
For episode two, we spend time with Ms. Anri Tazawa, an amazing young artist who creates works of art by incorporating locally-produced tea into her pieces, producing a new and exciting style you won’t find anywhere else. Running a cafe that offers guests the ability to stay overnight and experience her unique artstyle for themselves, Tazawa san uses the plant in every aspect of her work, from her menu to her projects. But how is it that she managed to bring this dream to life? Well, we sat down with her to find out, making sure to learn all we could about her enthusiasm, inspiration, and why she calls Suruga home!
Masamichi Itani – A Japanese Bartender Who Mixes Cocktails With Tea
Episode three introduces us to the masterful Masamichi Itani, a bartender who makes unique and delicious drinks for his guests by incorporating tea into cocktails and pairing them with delectable meals made from fresh local ingredients. Originally hoping to be a chef, Itani san instead discovered bartending and ultimately opened up his own bar in Shizuoka, where he became the first to start creating tea-based cocktails. Believing that tea is an important ingredient that can help heal the body, a belief many of us here share, Itani san was kind enough to share with us everything that has helped inspire and encouraged him to create a bar scene like nothing else around!
Shoran – A Japanese Calligrapher Who Uses Matcha Tea in Her Art
In episode four, we sit down with Ms. Shoran, an incredibly talented contemporary artist who specializes in calligraphy, but instead of regular ink, she uses matcha, being the first artist in Japan to do so. Of course, she doesn’t make these gorgeous calligraphy pieces only for herself! To help spread the love and awareness of this traditional yet artistic writing system, Shoran performs on stage and even offers classes to give as many people as possible a hands-on experience with the brand new style of “Matcha-sho.” Together, we learned all about her journey with calligraphy and Japanese tea, creating a story that we’re sure you don’t want to miss!
Kyoichiro Washizu – A Japanese Textile Artist Who Uses Tea in His Creations
For the fifth episode, we visit the master artisan, Mr. Kyoichiro Washizu, who incorporates discarded tea leaves into his dyeing process, creating unique and contemporary fashion pieces that won’t be found anywhere else. Without giving too much away, Washizu san’s unique version of the dyecraft came about almost completely by accident, giving him a way to express his deep passion for the area’s culture built by his predecessors. However, working with such an unorthodox medium doesn’t come without bumps in the road. To learn exactly how he has crafted his unique process and how he overcomes any problems, check out our interview with him, where he also highlights his story and inspirations.
Yoshio Shoji – a Japanese Tea Farmer who Serves Tea with a Spectacular View
For the final installment, we visit the passionate Mr. Yoshio Shoji, a dedicated tea farmer located in the dramatic highlands of Suruga. Having always believed that tea is his life and a family history of farming, it’s not hard to see how he ended up owning a farm and tea terrace on the mountainside, offering beautiful views we couldn’t wait to see. Whilst sipping on a freshly brewed cup of his delicious tea and taking in the gorgeous sights, we talked together with Shoji san and his assistant to learn how he managed to build his terrace, along with his deep background, excitement, and tea-making process. By finishing up the visit with a visit to his nearby factory, we felt that this in-depth look at the world of tea and those who care for it deeply was the perfect way to end this series!
Suruga’s Six Heroes Creating Magic – Credit: Arigato Travel
Now, unfortunately, we have reached the end of our Heroes of Suruga series. But that doesn’t mean the adventures awaiting in Suruga are over, let alone the work of these local artisans. As you take the time to learn all of their fascinating stories, we hope that you discover the enthusiasm behind what makes this area so special. Suruga isn’t just another dot on the map of Japan; it’s a home to people who are deeply dedicated to keeping the roots and traditions alive, all whilst being surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural sights you might ever see, located far away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. We truly cannot suggest a visit to Suruga enough, and hope that our video series about Moriki san, Tazawa san, Itani san, Shoran san, Washizu san, and Shoji san inspires you to create your own adventures in the area, visiting their businesses, classes, and much more! So as we leave you today, we want to thank each of the participants for taking the time to share with us, along with Visit Suruga, for making this whole project a possibility. We couldn’t have been more honored.
Make sure to follow us on our YouTube channel, Arigato Travel, for more incredible experiences across the country!
Featured Photo Credit: Arigato Travel
