Drive to Mori-machi (2) - Tasting first tea of year

After leaving Mikuranosansou, we went back the way we had come. It was the season of the first tea of the year, and we found a tea shop serving their tea free of charge along the road. It was Ishikawaen, an old company that produces and sells green tea. They had a tent in front of their shop, with a doll of a tea-picking girl. As Mori-machi is located in a mountainous area, they have good conditions such as clean water and dense fog to produce high-quality aromatic tea.

In the tent, they were serving not only tea but also “Ochabatake (tea garden) Yokan.” Yokan is a sweet that is usually made from bean paste, sugar, and agar. In addition to these, their yokan contained green tea. We were surprised at the generosity of the shop that gave whole packed yokan to each of us.

We sat at a table and tasted. The first tea of the year had a fresh taste. It was mild and very different from ordinary tea that is sharper and bitterer. Ochabatake Yokan had a rich flavor of tea and was quite good.

In the shop, they sold a variety of tea and sweets. There was also a cast iron tea pot.

These are boxes of Ochabatake Yokan and packs of sugar-glazed beans.

They provided several kinds of gift sets as well.

My mother and sister bought some tea and sweets. Later, we could taste the first tea in the year again at home. Ishikawaen seemed to be a popular tea shop as they had many customers inside. They have also a website in English providing detailed information about their products, how to brew delicious tea, etc. If you are interested in them, search with “Ishimawaen  Mori-machi.”

Then, we went to Acty Mori. It is a large park where you can enjoy outdoor activities such as putter golf, canoeing, and cycling, as well as traditional crafts such as pottery, papermaking, and plant dyeing. It has also a restaurant and shops selling local specialties including some interesting vegan-friendly food. As we were full, we just walked around in the park to enjoy natural beauty. The riverside seemed to be a good place for a barbecue.

According to my mother, this is a chestnut tree. Without chestnuts, I could hardly recognize it.

These are irises. They are typical flowers in May.