Ishidera Tea Fields

In short

Tea fields spread across the Ishidera area in the southwestern part of Wazuka Town, and the most well-known tea-producing area in Wazuka. In 2008, tea fields including Ishidera were registered as the very first Scenic Asset of Kyoto Prefecture under the name "Wazuka Tea Fields: Homeland of Uji Tea," and they are also a constituent cultural property of the Japan Heritage story "An 800-Year Historical Stroll Through Japanese Tea."

• ​Horizontal Ridges That Appear to Reach the Heavens​​: In the Japan Heritage story, Ishidera is mentioned as one of the places where land was cleared up to the mountain summits from the 20th century onward, creating tea fields with horizontal ridges. Hills covered with tea fields seem to stretch toward the sky
• ​Seasonal Colors of the Ridges​​: Completely green in spring, like a patchwork in summer, and in winter, snow accumulates to form rows of white rounded ridges. In late March, rows of cherry blossom trees around the fields also brighten the landscape
• ​Daily Life and Tea Fields​​: New houses and traditional dwellings are dotted among the tea fields, and you can feel a living landscape where tea cultivation and daily life are intimately intertwined

History and Highlights

The ​Ishidera Tea Fields​ are tea plantations spread across the Ishidera area in the southwestern part of Wazuka Town, and are the most well-known tea-producing area in Wazuka. The landscape, where hills covered with lush green tea bushes seem to stretch toward the sky, has been featured in photographs for various tea advertisements.

Kyoto Prefecture established a Scenic Asset system to utilize and protect landscapes representing the region's culture and history. On January 24, 2008 (Heisei 20), tea fields including Ishidera were registered as the very first entry under the name "Wazuka Tea Fields: Homeland of Uji Tea." Spreading along the flow of the Wazuka River, these tea fields sit in an area with a large temperature difference between day and night where morning mist frequently rises due to the river, nurturing aromatic and deeply flavorful Uji Tea.

Along with the tea plantations of Shirasu, Erihara, and the Kamazuka Tea Fields, the Ishidera Tea Fields are designated as a constituent cultural property of the Japan Heritage story "An 800-Year Historical Stroll Through Japanese Tea." In the story of Japan Heritage, Ishidera is mentioned as one of the places where land was cleared up to the mountain summits from the 20th century onward, creating tea fields with horizontal ridges that appear to reach the heavens.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Cherry Blossoms and Tea Fields​​: In late March, rows of cherry blossom trees surrounding the tea fields brighten the landscape with soft pink hues. Visitors can enjoy both the tea fields that have endured winter and the cherry blossoms at the same time.
• ​Seasonal Colors of the Ridges​​: The tea fields appear completely green in spring before farmers cover the tea plants with shading cloth (kanreisha) to prepare for the first harvest. In summer, the landscape turns into a patchwork of covered ridges, harvested ridges, and ridges awaiting picking. In autumn, trees along the paths are lightly tinted with color, and in winter, snow accumulates to form rows of white rounded ridges.
• ​Daily Life and Tea Fields​​: In the Ishidera area, new houses and traditional dwellings are dotted among the tea fields. You can experience a living landscape where tea cultivation and daily life are intimately intertwined.

Strolling Tips

The tea fields are about a 10- to 15-minute walk from the "Wazuka Takahashi" bus stop, and there is a parking area for cars and bicycles. There is also an observation deck overlooking the tea fields. Because these are working fields carefully maintained by farmers, please do not enter the tea ridges and view them from the paths. Walking along the path for about 15 minutes from the Ishidera Tea Fields brings you to the tea fields of Shirasu and Erihara facing across the slope; visitors can explore these together while being mindful not to obstruct agricultural vehicles.