Shizukaen: Pure Single-Origin Tea from Shizuoka’s Iwatahara Plateau
Shizukaen is a Japanese tea producer based on the fertile Iwatahara Plateau in Shizuoka Prefecture, a region celebrated as the heart of Japanese tea country[1]. The company is dedicated to crafting 100% single-origin tea, using only leaves grown in its local area and never blending tea from other regions[2]. This philosophy of purity and authenticity drives Shizukaen to cultivate robust tea leaves with rich flavor by nurturing healthy soil, minimizing pesticides, and carefully managing each stage from farm to cup[2]. The result is a truly local tea experience that captures the essence of Shizuoka’s terroir in every cup.
Sourced in Shizuoka
Shizukaen’s tea is grown in Iwata, an area in western Shizuoka Prefecture renowned for high-quality green tea. The Iwatahara Plateau’s flat terrain, excellent drainage, and fertile red-yellow loam soil create ideal conditions for tea cultivation[3]. Ample sunshine and a mild climate bless the region nearly year-round, contributing to vigorous growth and flavorful leaves. Tea from Iwata is typically deep-steamed (fukamushi) green tea – a style that involves steaming the leaves longer – yielding a brew with a vivid emerald color, smooth taste, and rich aroma[3]. These qualities reflect both the land’s natural gifts and the careful cultivation by local farmers. It’s no surprise that Shizuoka as a whole is Japan’s largest tea-producing area, and Iwata’s tea exemplifies why: vibrant flavor, appealing sweetness, and a clean, refreshing finish that tea enthusiasts cherish.
Traceability
To ensure safety and quality, Shizukaen has implemented a stringent traceability system covering every step from garden to processing. Working closely with its network of contract farmers, the company keeps detailed records of how each tea is grown. They regularly inspect each tea field to monitor growth, then coordinate with farmers on fertilizer plans (including timing and amount) and determine appropriate pest control measures[4]. Every batch of tea can be traced back to “when, where, and by whom” it was cultivated and processed, along with details like which farm it came from and what (if any) pesticides were used[4]. This level of transparency provides proof of each tea’s safety and origin. In addition, Shizukaen’s facility and farming practices have earned JGAP certification – adhering to internationally recognized standards for food safety and environmental sustainability[4]. By combining in-house processing with meticulous record-keeping, Shizukaen guarantees that the tea delivered to customers is not only delicious but also traceable and trustworthy, reflecting an uncompromising commitment to quality control.
Commitment to Quality
Shizukaen’s quest to produce top-quality tea starts from the ground up – literally, with the soil. From its founding, the team embraced the motto “Let’s make the most delicious tea in Japan,” a vision that began with building vigorous, living soil[5]. They designed a unified fertilizer program for all their partner farms, relying primarily on organic-based inputs like fish meal and rapeseed cake to enrich the earth[6]. The frequency and timing of fertilizer applications are carefully calibrated to nourish the tea plants at each growth stage, resulting in healthy bushes and nutrient-rich leaves. Shizukaen agronomists and Japanese Tea Instructors regularly tour the fields to check plant health and soil conditions; by closely observing each garden, they can address issues early and minimize the use of pesticides[6]. This hands-on, preventive approach to farm management is part of Shizukaen’s strong commitment to safety and environmental care. The benefit of these efforts is evident in the cup: the tea leaves develop greater thickness and depth of flavor, yielding infusions with notable umami (savory sweetness) and aroma[6]. In short, Shizukaen spares no effort in cultivation and processing to ensure that every batch meets their high standards. From healthy soil teeming with life to the final deep-steamed finish, quality is woven into every step of their tea-making process.
Single-Origin Craftsmanship
One of the defining features of Shizukaen is its insistence on single-origin production. Unlike many tea producers who blend leaves from multiple regions to achieve a certain flavor profile or volume, Shizukaen uses only tea leaves grown on the Iwatahara Plateau – specifically from its trusted contract farms in the area[7]. All harvesting, finishing, and packaging is done in Shizukaen’s own factory, allowing complete control over quality from the field to the final product[7]. By not blending in outside leaves, the company preserves the distinct character of Iwata’s terroir in its teas. This means that the flavor in your cup is the pure expression of a single place and season, much like a single-estate wine showcasing a particular vineyard’s qualities. Shizukaen takes pride in this purity: their tea is 100% Iwatahara-grown, a “single origin from contracted farms” that carries the authentic taste of the plateau[8][9]. In today’s market, where blended teas are common, Shizukaen’s approach stands out. By processing local leaves in-house and refusing to dilute them with cheaper or more abundant tea from elsewhere, they deliver a level of consistency and authenticity that seasoned tea drinkers greatly appreciate. Each sip of Shizukaen’s tea offers a sense of place – the mellow sweetness, gentle astringency, and full-bodied flavor all speak of the Iwata soil and climate that nurtured the leaves. This single-origin craftsmanship is at the core of Shizukaen’s identity, ensuring that their teas remain “pure Iwatahara” in both name and essence.
The People Behind the Tea
At the heart of Shizukaen’s success are the farmers who grow its tea. The company’s tea leaves are cultivated by a group of long-term contracted farmers with whom Shizukaen has built deep relationships of trust over the years[10]. Scattered across the broad expanse of the Iwatahara Plateau, each farm has its own unique micro-environment, cultivation methods, and philosophy. This results in a delightful diversity – a case of “ten farmers, ten approaches” – with each producer crafting tea in their own way through spring, summer, fall, and winter[10]. What unites them is a shared dedication to quality and the advantageous climate of Iwatahara. The region’s plentiful sunshine (one of the highest in Shizuoka) gives it a reputation as an “extremely early” tea-growing area[10]. In fact, Iwata is known for being among the first places in Japan to harvest the new spring tea. Every year, Shizukaen proudly delivers some of the earliest shincha (first flush new tea) of the season[10], a testament to the plateau’s favorable conditions and the skill of its farmers. This early harvest yields especially fresh and flavorful tea, highly anticipated by enthusiasts. Through the company’s traceability system, Shizukaen can even tell you “when, where, and who” cultivated and processed each lot of tea, ensuring that the efforts of each farmer are recognized and recorded[10]. The end result is more than just a product – it’s a labor of love. Every package of Shizukaen tea carries with it the care, pride, and craftsmanship of its growers, from the sunlit fields of Iwatahara all the way to your cup[10].
In summary, Shizukaen offers overseas tea lovers an informative glimpse into Japan’s tea culture through the lens of a single esteemed producer. From its ideal Shizuoka growing environment to its hands-on farming practices, rigorous quality control, and single-origin purity, Shizukaen exemplifies the best of Japanese tea-making traditions adapted for the modern world. Each brew of their deep-steamed green tea delivers a taste of place – the sweet richness of Iwata’s soil and the devotion of those who tend it. For anyone seeking an authentic Japanese tea experience, Shizukaen’s tea is a pure and satisfying journey into the heart of Shizuoka’s tea fields. [3][1]
Sources: Shizukaen Official Website and JJ Market product descriptions[11][3][6][4][7][10][1]
[1] Shizuoka, Uji, Kagoshima: The Top Japanese Green Tea Production Areas
https://www.shizuokatea.com/blog/shizuoka-tea-vs-kagoshima-tea-vs-uji-tea/
[2] [3] [11] Matcha Powder Enshu from Shizukaen 30g – JJ Market
[4] [5] [6] [8] [9] お茶づくり｜JP | 静香園製茶お茶・緑茶・べにふうき│静岡県磐田市から産地直送〖静香園〗の深蒸し茶
https://www.shizukaen.co.jp/abouttea/
[7] [10] | 静香園製茶お茶・緑茶・べにふうき│静岡県磐田市から産地直送〖静香園〗の深蒸し茶