Sayama Tea and Iruma — "Sayama for Taste," the Kanto Region's Proud Tea Country

Lush green tea fields spreading over the Musashino plateau and the rich aroma of freshly picked new tea: Sayama tea, produced mainly in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture, is a fine tea counted among Japan's three major teas alongside Shizuoka tea and Uji tea. Its deep flavor, praised in a tea-picking song as "Shizuoka for color, Uji for aroma, and Sayama for taste," has long been cherished at Kanto tables.

One of Japan's Three Major Teas

Sayama tea is a green tea produced across the western part of Saitama Prefecture centered on Iruma City, which accounts for about 60 percent of the total, followed by Tokorozawa City and Sayama City. The climate is cool for tea cultivation, and leaves that survive the harsh winters with occasional frost grow thick, giving a rich taste. Many growers handle everything from cultivation to processing and sales in a self-grown, self-processed, self-sold style, earning a reputation as carefully made, high-quality tea.

The Deep Flavor of "Sayama Firing"

A production method unique to Sayama tea is the "Sayama firing," in which the leaves are dried more strongly in the finishing stage. This distinctive firing produces a toasty, rich sweetness and deep body. As the song sings, "Sayama for taste," a firm, satisfying flavor is the essence of Sayama tea. Once tasted, its depth draws you in.

Tea Field Scenery and the Iruma City Museum

Vast tea fields spread around Iruma City, and in the new-tea season vivid fresh greenery dyes the whole landscape. In the Kanekodai area there is the Chadokoro-dori, a tea-country road where tea fields continue for about six kilometers, letting you enjoy a drive or stroll while gazing over a sea of green. The Iruma City Museum, ALIT, is also called the Museum of Tea and introduces tea culture from Japan and around the world. Alongside exhibits on Sayama tea and tea, the museum sometimes holds tea-brewing classes and hands-on programs.

Access and Basic Information

• Tea fields and Chadokoro-dori: throughout the Kanekodai area of Iruma City
• Transportation: reach the area by bus from Iruma-shi Station on the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line, or by car from the Iruma IC on the Ken-o Expressway
• Iruma City Museum ALIT: about a 20-minute bus ride from Iruma-shi Station, or about 5 minutes from the Iruma IC
• About 1 hour by train from central Tokyo to Iruma-shi Station, so it can be enjoyed as a day trip

Practical Travel Notes

Late April to late May, around the 88th night after the start of spring when the new tea sprouts, is the best season when the tea fields are at their most beautiful. In this period new-tea sales also begin, and direct sales shops offer freshly picked Sayama tea. Public transport to the tea field area is limited, so having a car or rental bike makes touring efficient. Iruma City also has the large commercial complex Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma, so a day combining tea field touring with shopping is popular. Savoring freshly brewed Sayama tea with local wagashi is a special moment.

A Word of Advice

Tea fields are often private land and farmland belonging to growers, so when photographing or strolling, do not enter the fields, and enjoy from the roads or designated viewing spots with good manners. To savor Sayama tea, a recommendation is to brew ordinary sencha, in which the toasty firing stands out, at a slightly higher water temperature. At direct sales shops, telling the staff your preference sometimes gets you their recommendation of the day. With Sayama tea, welcome as a souvenir, savor the fine-tea culture of the Kanto region.

📚 Sources

This article is based on information on the Sayama tea growing area and the Sayama hiire finishing method, and tourism information for Iruma City. It also draws on guidance for the Chadokoro-dori tea road on the Kaneko plateau, the Iruma City Museum ALIT (a tea museum), and direct-sales shops. The museum's opening status, new-tea sales timing and hands-on programs may change, so please confirm with official sources before you go.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About half a day for touring the tea fields and the Iruma City Museum ALIT.
• How to get around: Public transport to the tea fields is limited, so a car or rental bicycle is efficient.
• Best season: Late April to late May, around the 88th night, is when the tea fields are most beautiful with new growth.
• Access: By bus from Irumashi Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line) or by car from the Iruma IC on the Ken-o Expressway.
• Etiquette: Many tea fields are private land or farmland, so enjoy them from roads or designated viewpoints without entering.
• Also enjoy: Combining a day with shopping at Mitsui Outlet Park Iruma is popular.