農家でお茶＆そば体験 一人旅行者歓迎

We had a relaxing, joyful, delicious day in Shizuoka prefecture with Ken at his family’s home. My 18 year old son and his friend lit up when they met Ken and asked him many questions and were happy to engage in the activities all day. In addition to making (and eating!) the soba noodles we had many tea breaks to taste different types of green tea. We learned about tea farming, traditional games (which we tried playing to some success!), and traditional print art which often depicts areas of Shizuoka. We visited a local cafe in a beautiful traditional building and the village’s cemetery with an incredible view of the surrounding village and valley. We learned a lot! What stands out the most was feeling the warmth of the family and the peaceful pace of a Japanese farming village. The hills are beautiful here, the river and creek, fruit trees, flowers and of course tea farms. Ken is a kind, enthusiastic and interesting host. He helped us at the end of the tour by bringing us to a shop we wanted to visit and giving advice on a dinner restaurant when we asked for it. The teens said “this day will be a highlight of our trip to Japan!”

We had a great day with Ken, our guide. We saw a typical and authentic village. We learned how to cook soba pasta, delicious and enjoy different kinds of green tea. We recommend this experience, one hundred percent!

Kenichi-san was great! He picked me up from the station and talked about things we drove by, even stopping at one point to let me get out and take a look at the countryside. He taught me lots about old Japanese architecture and tea-making practices, and some of the rules for traditional tea ceremonies. Definitely a great tour and experience for a solo traveller like myself!

I had an amazing experience learning more about tea et soba making with Ken and his family. The day was really well organized, the hosts were so nice and I enjoyed exchanging with them about the activities and cultural differences between our countries and way of life. Our day started with the drive from Shizuoka to the tea plantation. We made a stop on our way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the river, the tea plantation and the mountains behind, lightly covered in snow at the top. Once we arrived the activities started with the welcome tea we savoured from the engawa with Ken's mother in law, then he teached me how to make soba noodle from scratch and I made the soba noodle for my own lunch. Ken also showed me a Kendama but I was not really good at it but I successfully beated him to another game with marble and chopsticks after a few try. We then enjoy the lunch, prepared by Ken's mother in law inside there house. I was delightful and everything was fresh and homemade with products from the mountains. I learned new things about Ukiyo-e before starting the next activity : tea ceremony. It was my first time and I tried to be a good student. The Nerikiri selected by Ken to eat before the tea was as beautiful as sweet and its flavor balanced perfectly with the bitterness from matcha tea. I laught with Ken because after nearly 10 minutes of seiza, I had trouble getting back up and needed some time to recover Then it was time to take another drive to the top of the mountain in the center of the village were Ken explained more about tea and the plantations but also the sad truth that young people prefer leaving near big cities and they are lacking work forces here resulting in overgrown tea plantations. We came back to the house, enjoy a last tea together and it was time to go back to Shizuoka. This time with Ken was a magical bubble, a needed break in the middle of a trip were everything was too quick. It allowed me to slow down, appreciate the rural part of Japan, the peace of an area were you have more chance to see widlife than your neighbours. I recommend this experience at 100% if you seek for a glimpse of rural life with delightful hosts with good teaching skills. Thank you again Ken

This experience was by far the highlight of my trip! The guide Ken was warm and welcoming, and speaks decent English to boot. The day started off at Shizuoka station at 10am, where Ken found me and led me to his car. On the car ride into the mountains, we had a very engaging conversation about Japanese tea, his small farming village and cultural differences between Australia and Japan. Ken's village was quaint, quiet and peaceful - very different from the Japan I had been experiencing. I got to meet Ken's mother, who despite not knowing English, was equally as hospitable as her son. We managed to have a fun conversation about the various flowers in her garden and the blooming seasons of Sakura trees. We then made home-made soba, and are that soba over a few other side dishes made by Ken's mother. We also did a casual tea ceremony with matcha. Really, the highlight was experiencing what rural life is like in Japan. The quiet of rural living is something that you wouldn't experience if you didn't seek out experiences like this. I would recommend this tour for anyone who loves experiential tourism and wants to get a peek into Japanese farm life. Ken is an amazing host and deserves accolade.

We really enjoyed the trip with Ken! He gave us an insight into the life of japanese on the countryside. He showed us his home village and taught us how to make soba noodles like a professional and a traditional tea ceremony for ordinary people. Furthermore we got an inside into green tea farming.

I had an amazing time on the Tea and Soba Experience at a Farmer’s Home, and I highly recommend it—especially for solo travellers like myself. I’ve been to Japan before, but this tour offered a completely new perspective and taught me things I had never experienced or learned previously. The experience truly lived up to its title, combining tea culture and soba-making with an intimate look into rural Japanese life. Ken was an excellent host and guide. The tour was conducted in English, which was incredibly helpful, and he was always enthusiastic and patient in answering all of my questions. One of the highlights was driving around his village to see the daily rhythms of a rural tea-farming community—it felt genuine and far removed from the usual tourist routes. Ken’s mother was a wonderful addition to the experience. Even though she didn’t speak English, her presence added warmth and authenticity, and it gave me a great opportunity to practice my Japanese. Her insights and involvement made the visit feel even more special and personal. If you’re looking for a meaningful cultural experience beyond the typical sightseeing itinerary, this tour is a must. I would absolutely do it again.

A wonderful experience for a solo traveller. Ken gave an authentic view of rural Japan and an insight into tea farming in the modern day. If you're tired of running around in the city, take a quiet day sipping green tea here.

A wonderful tour that let me experience real Japanese countryside life, far from typical tourist spots. Making soba and enjoying a tea ceremony in such a peaceful setting was so relaxing. Best of all, I made a Japanese friend named Ken—an unforgettable experience!