Ibigawa Tea Farm

In April, Will's parents came to visit us. We took several trips while they were here. We spent one lovely afternoon with Ikuko and Yoko. We went to Tanigumi (pictures to come) and after we stopped by a tea farm. We only stopped by the side of the road to have a look. To our delight the farmer came out and gave us an impromptu tour of his tea farm. It was very exciting!

Here's a picture of one of the machines that they use to pick tea.

As you can see this is a hand held machine. It takes two people to operate. It cuts the tops of the bush and blows the leaves into a big bag.

This is Yoko and the tea farmer demonstrating the hand held tea cutter. I'm sure it's got a better name than that!

This machine is like the ride mower version of the tea cutter. You just drive it and it does the same thing as the hand held one....imagine that!

After he showed us the farm and the machines they use to cut the leaves he gave us some tea. It was delicious!!

The tea set

She's bring us tea. I assume that this is the farmer's wife. If not his wife a family member. Who knows....

After a lovely cup of Ibi green tea the farmer shows us a calender with his tea farm in it. The picture he showed us is from when the tea leaves are at their peek. The leaves are much greener when they are ripe and ready to pick. He's quite proud of his farmer, and rightfully so.

Yoko

Yoko, Ikuko and Will. Ikuko is translating for us. We'd be lost without her!

After it's all said and done Yoko and Ikuko exchange information with the farmer.

Did I mention he gave us two bags of tea! How nice!

Here's a video that will found on youtube of the farm. I think it's the same one. If not, it's one of his neighbor's farms. There are several farmers in this valley.

   

This is the video we made of the tea farm! But it is not so interesting