Day 2 • November 21, Friday

The day had finally come. This was what I was looking forward to the most on our Japan trip, the Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms tour. It was also our free day from the group. Of course, I planned it and treated Asis so he could tag along and keep me company.

We started our day early, afraid that we might get lost on the way and end up late. I was pretty conscious of the time since the Japanese are known for being punctual. Obubu also had a bus tour package, but we only availed the one after the tour. From our inn, we walked to the station that would take us to Wazuka.

The walk was pleasant. We only came across a few tourists. It was mostly locals, students, and employees going about their day. Seeing students in their uniforms was such a sight, like something straight out of the films and anime I have watched. They were all so kawaii. The sun was shining just enough to keep us warm. We passed by parks, temples, and konbinis. We even saw a Ministop and they had socks, so of course I had to buy a pair. Anything that fascinated us made us stop. We were like innocent kids discovering things.

It took us three train transfers and a bus ride to get to Obubu, and we were not late. We even managed to roam around the nearby area for a bit before the tour started.

Then the tea lessons began. We were welcomed with tea and a brief introduction before heading out to the tea fields in the surrounding mountains of Wazuka, a region known for premium Japanese tea. There was a short walk up the tea field, followed by a visit inside the factory where we learned about sencha tea processing.

After that, we had a traditional tea lunch on the second floor with a nice view outside. And can I just say the lunch was surprisingly good and filling. It was tasty and savoury.

The afternoon was all about tea. We had an interactive tasting of traditional, locally made Japanese teas, from everyday houjicha and genmaicha to premium sencha and matcha. We also got to properly whisk our own matcha. There were question and answer moments every now and then, which made the experience even more meaningful.

The whole tour was hosted by Obubu’s interns and staff, and what made it extra interesting was that they came from different parts of the world. We did not get to see the founder, Akihiro Kita or “Akky,” since they mentioned he was usually out in the fields. He was always outside.

It was such a tea-filled day. We tasted more or less ten teas, including the ones from vending machines we came across. We learned a lot about tea and its traditions, and it felt like a quiet, unforgettable day in the countryside.

The tour ended at 15:00, and the Obubu shuttle bus dropped us off at Kizu Station since our next stop was Uji. The bus ride itself was such a vibe because of Obubu’s playlist. The lyrics were all about the tea farm, which made the ride feel oddly wholesome and fun.

Before coming to Japan, I also subscribed to Obubu’s tea club. It is their way of supporting the tea farms in Wazuka while sending freshly harvested Japanese tea to members throughout the year. Knowing I was already receiving tea from the same place we were visiting made the experience feel more personal. I also liked that the membership supports Japanese tea culture, the local community, and environmental efforts.

We did a side trip to Uji. We visited Uji Shrine and the bridge over the Uji River, one of the three oldest bridges in Japan. There was also a small park nearby where we paused for a little while. By the time we got to explore the stores, most were already closed. I was excited to shop for anything matcha. And somewhere along the way, I lost my ICOCA card with a lot of balance on it (still pains me whenever I think about it), but we did some random grocery shopping, and I finally found 7-Eleven socks. A small win.

We walked back from Kyoto Station to our inn, and once we got back, Asis cooked the steak we had bought in Uji. It was such a fun-filled day, and having that quiet, unplanned time alone with my husband made it even more special.

---

P.S. I got my first tea package last month, around the second week of December. It had four packs of different teas for the month, a postcard, a guide catalog, and a 2026 calendar. I also purchased the Drinking Matcha Sampler Set 3 (3 x 5g) and the Obubu Sampler Set (18 x 5g), so I have a lot of tea right now. The problem is I don’t have the proper tools. I have no scale, so it is all guesswork. Sometimes it ends up too bland, other times too strong. I spill a lot too. I will invest in proper tools soon, but for now it is a bit messy.