Picking up where we left off on our Hakone tea journey. See the previous post: Hakone Tea Exploring 1 : NARAYA CAFE
After a relaxing time at NARAYA CAFE, we took a bus down from the mountains toward Odawara. Along the way, we stopped at Hakone Itabashi, an area that features many historical buildings from the Meiji period. Walking through the streets feels like stepping back in time, and the area is popular for relaxed walks, with cafes and restaurants renovated from traditional Japanese houses.
Our destination was TEA FACTORY Joshun-en(如春園), beautifully renovated from a former tofu factory and residence, blending history with a calm, modern sensibility.
We enjoyed a lovely lunch of their popular curry in the retro-modern place.
While enjoying our meal, we reflected on the tea we were drinking. This place is more than just a cafe- it is the heart of Ogura Tea Garden (as we refer to them on our website). The Ogura family cultivates tea on the nearby hills, practicing pesticide-free, organic, and no-fertilizer methods. Their philosophy is simple: capturing the tea plant's natural aroma by managing every step, from cultivation to on-site processing.
We tasted their wakoucha (Japanese black tea),which was wonderfully fragrant and refreshing, as well as their roasted wakocha. The roasted version, with its delicate toasty notes, felt completely new to us. Each cup was smooth and filled with a kind, gentle character.
After our tea, Ogura-san was kindly showed us the factory just beside the cafe. For any tea lover, stepping into a tea-processing space is a special experience. Seeing the essential machinery - rolling machine, ball mill, and roasters - lined up and ready for the season is truly captivating. If you are curious, the staff are often happy to give you a glimpse behind the scenes.
A wide selection of their teas is available for purchase at the shop, making it easy to take a taste of your journey home.
It is well worth a visit. Be sure to stop by when you travel to Hakone!
Featured Tea from Ogura Tea Garden
FIrst flush black tea made from the Yabukita cultivar. Greenish in character with a clear and gentle astringency. Pairs well with desserts and Japanese cuisine.
Discover their Tea Workshop
Tea Picking Experience with Honey Fragrance Black Tea (蜜香紅茶)
TEA FACTORY 如春園 (Joshun-en) Information
Address: 636 Itabashi, Odawara, Kanagawa [Google Maps ]
Official site: information in Japanese. https://www.joshunen.jp/
