As a sixth-generation tea producer in the hills of Shigaraki, Shiga, one of Japan's oldest tea-producing regions, Akira has dedicated his life to cultivating tea in harmony with nature. In 1975, when pesticide-free farming was almost unheard of in Japan, his family made a decision that looked reckless at the time: abandon pesticides and chemical fertilizers altogether, in pursuit of a safer, more natural tea.
Trusting the Land to Recover
The transition was far from easy. Severe pest damage threatened the fields for years, forcing the family to rethink and rebuild their approach again and again. Rather than returning to conventional methods, they chose to trust nature's own ability to restore balance. Over time, beneficial insects returned, the ecosystem recovered, and the tea plants grew stronger and more resilient.
A Philosophy, Not a Phase
Today, Akira continues that same philosophy through teas that express the character of the region's mountains and the patience it takes to grow them there. It's a belief that has guided his family for decades: when nature is given the chance to thrive, exceptional tea follows.
A Direct Connection
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