Shizuoka, Japan offers ecotourism experiences
12-Mar-2025
Category: News Stories
Shizuoka offers ecotourism experiences focused on supporting the local communities and small independent producers of green tea, wasabi and soya beans.
Matcha calligraphy to reduce food waste
The MatchaSho® experience is perfect for travellers keen to challenge their inner calligrapher. This is a unique activity seamlessly blending the serene art of zen Japanese calligraphy with the essence of beloved matcha green tea, while also contributing to the reduction of food waste by using tea leaves that would otherwise be unavoidably discarded during manufacturing processes. The session is taught by its creator calligrapher Ms. Shoran, who teaches participants how to write their name in Japanese Kanji characters using a powdered green tea solution instead of ink. While painting, the green tea ‘ink’ is of a vivid green colour and turns brown as time passes. Once the task is completed, participants are treated to a refreshing matcha ice-cream and gifted a calligraphy kit to take back home.
Passing on the 270 plus year old wasabi cultivation process
The four-hour Wasabi fields and Tofu-making workshop offers participants the opportunity to delve into the rich culinary heritage of two of Japan’s most iconic ingredients: wasabi and tofu. As the producer of more than half of all wasabi grown in Japan, Shizuoka is dotted with wasabi fields. For this experience, participants visit the fields of the onsen town of Shuzenji (perfect spot for a relaxing overnight stay with an array of traditional ryokan accommodation) to learn about the over 270 year old cultivation process directly from the local producers. This is followed by a hands-on tofu-making masterclass using locally sourced ingredients. For those with extra energy, a hike to a local waterfall or a walking tour of Shuzenji can also be included.
Learning about Japan’s finest green tea
Gyokuro green tea is known as the highest quality green tea and is mainly produced in three regions in Japan: Uji (Kyoto), Yame (Fukuoka) and Asahina, a very quiet mountain village in Shizuoka. Gyokuro Green Tea Study is perfect for tea lovers looking for an exclusive green tea experience. During this two-hour experience, participants will get to learn all about this fine type of green tea with a tea master, starting with a visit to his private tea farm followed by a lesson on how it is grown, how to brew it correctly and with lots of opportunities to taste it too.
How about experiencing nature through walking in Shizuoka?
There are a number of interesting and educational walking tours in the Izu Peninsula Unesco Global Geopark, to choose from.
One example: The 4.2km Amagi tour offers a two-hour walk starting and ending at Amagi Visitor Center. You’ll see volcanic rock formations, local history, shrines, plants, and wildlife, guided by an expert. It highlights wasabi cultivation, natural rivers, and ends at the 500-year-old Taro cedar, a prefectural natural monument.
Check out more walking tours here.
Please get in touch with Sandra at sandra@humewhitehead.co.uk for more information and training opportunities.
Matcha calligraphy to reduce food waste
The MatchaSho® experience is perfect for travellers keen to challenge their inner calligrapher. This is a unique activity seamlessly blending the serene art of zen Japanese calligraphy with the essence of beloved matcha green tea, while also contributing to the reduction of food waste by using tea leaves that would otherwise be unavoidably discarded during manufacturing processes. The session is taught by its creator calligrapher Ms. Shoran, who teaches participants how to write their name in Japanese Kanji characters using a powdered green tea solution instead of ink. While painting, the green tea ‘ink’ is of a vivid green colour and turns brown as time passes. Once the task is completed, participants are treated to a refreshing matcha ice-cream and gifted a calligraphy kit to take back home.
Passing on the 270 plus year old wasabi cultivation process
The four-hour Wasabi fields and Tofu-making workshop offers participants the opportunity to delve into the rich culinary heritage of two of Japan’s most iconic ingredients: wasabi and tofu. As the producer of more than half of all wasabi grown in Japan, Shizuoka is dotted with wasabi fields. For this experience, participants visit the fields of the onsen town of Shuzenji (perfect spot for a relaxing overnight stay with an array of traditional ryokan accommodation) to learn about the over 270 year old cultivation process directly from the local producers. This is followed by a hands-on tofu-making masterclass using locally sourced ingredients. For those with extra energy, a hike to a local waterfall or a walking tour of Shuzenji can also be included.
Learning about Japan’s finest green tea
Gyokuro green tea is known as the highest quality green tea and is mainly produced in three regions in Japan: Uji (Kyoto), Yame (Fukuoka) and Asahina, a very quiet mountain village in Shizuoka. Gyokuro Green Tea Study is perfect for tea lovers looking for an exclusive green tea experience. During this two-hour experience, participants will get to learn all about this fine type of green tea with a tea master, starting with a visit to his private tea farm followed by a lesson on how it is grown, how to brew it correctly and with lots of opportunities to taste it too.
How about experiencing nature through walking in Shizuoka?
There are a number of interesting and educational walking tours in the Izu Peninsula Unesco Global Geopark, to choose from.
One example: The 4.2km Amagi tour offers a two-hour walk starting and ending at Amagi Visitor Center. You’ll see volcanic rock formations, local history, shrines, plants, and wildlife, guided by an expert. It highlights wasabi cultivation, natural rivers, and ends at the 500-year-old Taro cedar, a prefectural natural monument.
Check out more walking tours here.
Please get in touch with Sandra at sandra@humewhitehead.co.uk for more information and training opportunities.
