YEARBOOK

Wazuka no Sato in 2026

The news, the seasonal calendar, media coverage and photos of 2026 at Wazuka no Sato, gathered in one place. The wording is taken from each page as it is.

Printable PDF (A4, in Japanese)

News (2)

  • 23 September 2026 — The Wazuka no Sato Station website is now live.
    Notice
  • 26 September 2026 — Chagenkyo Matsuri tea festival: Sun 8 Nov, 10:30–18:00, in and around Wazuka Sports Park
    Event

The Wazuka year: seasons and events (26)

  • Late April — Tea picking starts in Ishitera, the ‘early field’
    Picking starts in Ishitera
  • May, every year — New-tea season (peak of the first flush)
    New tea at its peak
  • August–September — All-green fields under blue sky
    All-green fields
  • October–November (processing until about the end of November) — Autumn bancha harvest
    Autumn bancha
  • Recommended in winter (limited quantity) — Matcha Zenzai at Wazuka no Sato (great in winter)
    Matcha Zenzai (Wazuka no Sato)
  • February — Plum blossom at Wazuka Tenmangu Shrine
    Plum at Tenmangu
  • Late February–March — Hanana (rapeseed blossom) and plum
    Hanana and plum
  • Usually early to mid-April — Cherry avenue at Iwaibashi Bridge
    Iwaibashi cherries
  • About 20 August to mid-September, before 16:00 — The heart-shaped ‘inome’ shadow at Shojuin Temple
    Inome shadow, Shojuin
  • Mid to late October (Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Federation); late September into October (official site) — Cosmos at the Kuni-kyo Palace Site
    Cosmos, Kuni-kyo
  • October–November — White tea flowers
    Tea flowers
  • Usually early to late November (Kyoto Prefecture Tourism Federation) — Autumn colours at Shohoji Temple
    Shohoji autumn colours
  • 10 January, every year — Toka Ebisu at Wazuka Tenmangu Shrine
    Toka Ebisu (10 Jan)
  • 7 July, every year (from 18:30) — Gion festival at Yasaka Shrine (‘Gion-san’)
    Gion-san (7 Jul)
  • Usually the second Saturday and Sunday of October (10–11 Oct in 2026; 9–10 Oct in 2027) — Autumn festival of Wazuka Tenmangu Shrine
    Tenmangu autumn festival
  • Sat 31 Oct–Sun 29 Nov 2026, 9:00–16:00 (the National Treasure pagoda is open until Sun 8 Nov) — Kaijusenji Temple: pagoda opening and special exhibition (2026)
    Kaijusenji pagoda opening
  • Tue 3 Nov 2026 (public holiday), 10:00–15:30 — Genkoji Temple: special viewing of the principal image (2026)
    Genkoji special viewing (3 Nov)
  • Sun 8 Nov 2026, 10:30–18:00 (finale from 17:30) — Chagenkyo Matsuri 2026
    Chagenkyo Matsuri (8 Nov)
  • Entries must arrive by Fri 9 Oct 2026; exhibition planned for early November — Chagenkyo Wazuka photo & sketch contest (entries open)
    Photo & sketch contest (by 9 Oct)
  • Sun 18 Oct 2026, 10:50–15:30 — Hokkori Circle autumn event: to the autumn tea fields with a tea farmer
    Autumn tea-field day (18 Oct)
  • Next in 2026: Sat 3 Oct, 19:30–21:00 (roughly one Saturday evening a month) — Stargazing evenings (STAR GAZING)
    Stargazing
  • Thu 1 Oct 2026–Sun 14 Feb 2027 — Ocha no Kyoto ‘Tea Point’ digital stamp rally
    Tea Point stamp rally
  • Sun 11 Oct 2026, meet 9:00, finish 15:30 (apply by 16:00 on 4 Oct) — Kuni Palace ancient-life tour
    Kuni Palace tour (11 Oct)
  • 1 June–30 September (announced for 2026) — Wind-chime festival and flower-chime path at Shojuin Temple
    Shojuin wind-chime festival
  • Sat, Sun & holidays, 4 Apr–29 Nov 2026 — ‘Guchamo’ green slow-mobility tea-field tour
    Guchamo tour (weekends)
  • Sat, Sun & holidays, 6–28 Mar 2027 — Guchamo tea-field tour (spring 2027)
    Guchamo tour (weekends)

In the media (published or broadcast in 2026: 76)

  • 10 January 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    A relocation tour of Wazuka and Ujitawara, visiting houses and tea fields. Source (Japanese)
  • 18 January 2026 — Kanko Keizai Shimbun (tourism trade paper)
    The tourism trade paper on a hotel afternoon tea named after Wazuka, where the hotel has its own tea garden. Source (Japanese)
  • 28 January 2026 — Wazuka Town
    The town channel’s relocation-promotion video “Iitoko Wazuka” (published 28 Jan 2026). Source (Japanese)
  • 28 January 2026 — Wazuka Town
    The town’s official video on the Yubune mountain-bike park. Source (Japanese)
  • 28 January 2026 — Wazuka Town
    A second relocation promotion film from the town. Source (Japanese)
  • 2 January 2026 — Tea Nursery Talks
    The national hand-rolling competition, and a day touring Shizuoka tea shops and a brewery with farmers from Wazuka (English, audio). Source (Japanese)
  • 9 January 2026 — CNA (Singapore)
    A long read from Singapore’s CNA on viral food trends; a tea farm in Yubune, Wazuka, appears. Source (Japanese)
  • 19 February 2026 — The KANSAI Guide (Kansai Tourism Bureau)
    The Kansai tourism board’s feature from Wazuka’s tea fields to Fushimi. Source (Japanese)
  • 20 February 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    Eight local tea farmers brew their teas for visitors at Green Tea Wazuka in Shirasu. Source (Japanese)
  • 23 February 2026 — ALCO Uji–Joyo (Yamashiro area news site)
    A report on an event where Wazuka tea growers brew their own tea for visitors. Source (Japanese)
  • 14 March 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    From the event “Hospitality from the Tea Masters” held in Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 20 March 2026 — Travel Watch (Impress)
    A travel news site’s series on spring in the Tea of Kyoto area, including Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 23 March 2026 — Ryoko Shimbun (travel trade paper)
    The 2026 spring and autumn runs of the Tea of Kyoto Green Liner bus to Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 23 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    A cafe with a view over the Japan Heritage tea fields. Source (Japanese)
  • 24 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    The Wazuka Tourist Information Centre in Kamatsuka: leaflets, souvenirs, rental bicycles and bookings for driver-guided tea-field tours (open 9–17). Source (Japanese)
  • 24 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    Yuto Yamanaka, who moved to Wazuka, on opening SLOW HOUSE: a guesthouse run with the farm-jobs service Agri-Najikan as a hub linking young people and the community. Source (Japanese)
  • 25 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    A report from a wagashi shop near the Ishitera tea fields. Source (Japanese)
  • 26 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    From the station’s Wazuka week: a visit to Wazuka no Sato Station, with photos on the programme blog. Source (Japanese)
  • 26 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    Mayor Masami Baba in the studio: Wazuka as Kyoto’s largest Uji-tea producer, and the town as the mountain-bike venue for the World Masters Games 2027 Kansai (May 2027), with a pre-event in September. Source (Japanese)
  • 26 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    A Wazuka-based digital-promotion company’s representative joins the weekday afternoon show in the studio. Source (Japanese)
  • 26 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    The weekday live show’s radio car reports from Wazuka no Sato Station: Wazuka tea curry, the tamago-kake-gohan set and the tea-field view. Source (Japanese)
  • 27 March 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    Wazuka week on the Friday show: a one-group-a-day inn among the tea fields and a Thursday-only cafe (March 2026 archive page). Source (Japanese)
  • 2 March 2026 — BS Yoshimoto
    The mayor of Wazuka introduces the town in BS Yoshimoto’s hometown series. Source (Japanese)
  • 5 March 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    A fire-walking rite held in Shirasu, Wazuka, by a temple from Nabari to help promote the town. Source (Japanese)
  • 6 March 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    The town’s 2026 budget plan includes funds for a facility exhibiting Wazuka’s history. Source (Japanese)
  • 9 March 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    A symposium on the town’s bid for national Important Cultural Landscape status. Source (Japanese)
  • March 2026 — Kyoto Prefecture
    The prefectural newsletter’s feature on the three eastern Soraku municipalities, including Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 10 April 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    A new-tea-season bus itinerary through the Uji tea country, made possible by the Jubuzan Tunnel. Source (Japanese)
  • 10 April 2026 — Travel Vision (travel trade news)
    A travel-trade interview with a Wazuka-based business taking the town’s tea abroad. Source (Japanese)
  • 15 April 2026 — Ryoko Yomiuri (Tabiyomi)
    Web version of a Ryoko Yomiuri tea-region feature (May 2026 issue), including Kyoto Wazukaso in Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 23 April 2026 — Tabiiro (Branjista)
    A trip plan including a stop at the Wazuka tea fields. Source (Japanese)
  • 24 April 2026 — KBS Kyoto Radio
    Hosted by the former governor of Kyoto; the second half recommends an outing to Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 25 April 2026 — Yomiuri Shimbun
    On the 2026 first auction, where sencha mainly from Wazuka fetched about 20% more than the year before. Source (Japanese)
  • 25 April 2026 — Yomiuri Shimbun
    The first Uji tea auction of the year, with prices for sencha mainly from Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 25 April 2026 — TV Asahi
    On taxis for foreign visitors in Kyoto, including a stop in Wazuka’s tea fields. Source (Japanese)
  • 27 April 2026 — KYOTO SIDE (Kyoto Prefecture official site)
    Fourteen matcha sweets, including matcha gelato at dandan cafë overlooking Wazuka’s terraced tea fields. Source (Japanese)
  • 2 April 2026 — Wazuka Tourist Information Centre
    The Tourist Information Office’s channel introduces local shops on video. Source (Japanese)
  • 8 April 2026 — Radio Kansai
    Radio Kansai’s news story, as distributed to Maidona News: a young man who took over his late father’s Wazuka tea farm. Source (Japanese)
  • 9 April 2026 — Kyoto Prefecture, Yamashiro Regional Office
    Kyoto Prefecture’s relocation site interviews a community-revitalisation cooperator in Wazuka who develops local products. Source (Japanese)
  • 9 April 2026 — Kyoto Prefecture, Yamashiro Regional Office
    An interview with a man who moved to Wazuka and now works on promoting the area. Source (Japanese)
  • 13 May 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    A capsule-toy machine at the Tourist Information Office sells Wazuka tea bags with sightseeing notes and a fortune slip. Source (Japanese)
  • 15 May 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    A southern-Kyoto feature including the tea-field view from the Sky Café on the hill above Wazuka Sports Park. Source (Japanese)
  • 16 May 2026 — NHK
    In search of spring greenery: a visit to Tenku Cafe in Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 28 May 2026 — FRaU web (Kodansha)
    Kodansha’s FRaU on the people protecting Kyoto’s tea culture, including a sencha grower in Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 2 May 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    Tenku Cafe, the hilltop tea room above Wazuka Sports Park, and the tea fields filling its window. Source (Japanese)
  • 5 May 2026 — Yomiuri TV
    Weather presenter Daisuke Horai drives to Wazuka and visits the private hilltop Tenku Cafe. Source (Japanese)
  • 8 May 2026 — Jiji Press
    Kasagi, a town with no tea farmers, created a tea cider (“chaider”) using matcha produced in neighbouring Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 8 May 2026 — Japan Agricultural News
    The farming daily’s “one village, one product” column on an edible tea from Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 2 June 2026 — ABC News (USA)
    ABC News reports from a Wazuka tea farm, calling the town the epicentre of the matcha boom; interns from abroad appear. Source (Japanese)
  • 3 June 2026 — ABC News (USA)
    ABC News’ official channel: the matcha boom seen from the tea fields of Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 17 July 2026 — NHK
    The evening news programme’s local corner features Wazuka’s hojicha. Source (Japanese)
  • 1 July 2026 — Sankei Shimbun
    Kontai-ji’s Miroku Bosatsu, an Important Cultural Property, restored and shown at the Nara National Museum. Source (Japanese)
  • 25 July 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    The seated Miroku Bosatsu of Kontai-ji, an Important Cultural Property, restored for the first time in about 90 years. Source (Japanese)
  • 25 July 2026 — NHK
    The Saturday-morning show’s travel corner visits Wazuka for the flavour of its tea. Source (Japanese)
  • 3 July 2026 — Mainichi Shimbun
    The town adopts an electric tuk-tuk as an official vehicle. Source (Japanese)
  • 4 July 2026 — Mainichi Shimbun
    The Nara edition on Kontai-ji’s Miroku Bosatsu, an Important Cultural Property, shown at the Nara National Museum after repair. Source (Japanese)
  • 4 July 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    The bus between Wazuka and Ujitawara, once seasonal, now runs all year round on weekends and holidays. Source (Japanese)
  • 4 July 2026 — Yomiuri TV
    On soaring tea prices in the matcha boom, told through a fifth-generation grower in Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 9 July 2026 — Yomiuri TV
    The weekday morning show’s live-report corner broadcast from Wazuka; the episode page lists the Sky Café and Wazuka Tea Café featured. Source (Japanese)
  • 10 August 2026 — Yomiuri Shimbun
    A Kyoto-edition profile of a young grower who took over his father’s tea farm. Source (Japanese)
  • 13 August 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    A summer festival organised by volunteers in Wazuka so that children can inherit the town’s lapsed bon dance; held again on the 15th and 16th. Source (Japanese)
  • 13 August 2026 — Yomiuri Shimbun
    The Important Cultural Property Miroku Bosatsu of Kontai-ji restored after a century. Source (Japanese)
  • 13 August 2026 — Yomiuri Shimbun
    Wazuka Town adopts an electric tuk-tuk as an official vehicle: nimble between the tea fields and cheaper to run (Kansai edition). Source (Japanese)
  • 13 August 2026 — KBS Kyoto
    A new way of getting around the tea fields; the programme page lists past episodes. Source (Japanese)
  • 15 August 2026 — ALCO Uji–Joyo (Yamashiro area news site)
    A report from the first day of the 2026 Chabondama Festival. Source (Japanese)
  • 18 August 2026 — Nippon TV (NTV)
    A national news item on China’s matcha output overtaking Japan’s, with a tea farmer of more than 120 years’ standing in Wazuka saying Japan must compete on quality. Linked to the TV-log site “TV de Tazo”. Source (Japanese)
  • 25 August 2026 — Rurubu & more. (JTB Publishing)
    Four hidden cafes, including the Nishijin matcha cafe founded by a native of Wazuka. Source (Japanese)
  • 27 August 2026 — ALCO Uji–Joyo (Yamashiro area news site)
    A summer photo walk; in Wazuka, the Ishitera tea fields, a Japan Heritage component, and how their shading changes with the season. Source (Japanese)
  • 27 August 2026 — PChome Online News (Taiwan)
    A Taiwanese news site on the “Tea Country of Kyoto” sightseeing-bus tour, including shopping at the Wazuka Tea Café and a tea-laden “Wazuka gozen” lunch (Chinese). Source (Japanese)
  • 27 August 2026 — Specialty Matcha Podcast
    A tea educator based at Obubu Tea Farms in Wazuka on what the matcha boom has changed on the ground there. Source (Japanese)
  • 7 August 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    The town adopts an electric three-wheeler as an official vehicle for its narrow roads. Source (Japanese)
  • 18 September 2026 — Yomiuri TV
    The Friday-evening show’s episode page, featuring Wazuka Tea Cafe. Source (Japanese)
  • 21 September 2026 — Kyoto Shimbun
    Results of a mountain-bike race at Yubune in Wazuka, a venue for the World Masters Games 2027 Kansai. Source (Japanese)
  • 22 September 2026 — Kansai TV
    Matcha sweets with a view over the terraced tea fields, part of the Japan Heritage landscape. Article on the broadcaster’s official site. Source (Japanese)
  • 28 September 2026 — ALCO Uji–Joyo (Yamashiro area news site)
    Preview of the Chagenkyo Festival on 8 November 2026 at Wazuka Sports Park. Source (Japanese)
  • 28 September 2026 — KYOTO SIDE (Kyoto Prefecture official site)
    A campaign across Kasagi, Wazuka and Minamiyamashiro from 20 September to 6 December 2026, including matcha art with Wazuka tea. Source (Japanese)

Photos (77)

  • Contrails over the tea fields
    Contrails over the tea fields
  • Tea fields at Erihara
    Tea fields at Erihara
  • Erihara seen from Shirasu across the valley
    Erihara seen from Shirasu across the valley
  • Tea fields and hills at Shirasu
    Tea fields and hills at Shirasu
  • Shirasu tea fields catching the light
    Shirasu tea fields catching the light
  • Blue sky over the Shirasu tea fields
    Blue sky over the Shirasu tea fields
  • A path through the Shirasu tea fields
    A path through the Shirasu tea fields
  • Shirasu tea fields below Mt. Yuya
    Shirasu tea fields below Mt. Yuya
  • The hilltop tea fields of Shirasu
    The hilltop tea fields of Shirasu
  • Ishitera, a Kyoto Prefecture Landscape Asset
    Ishitera, a Kyoto Prefecture Landscape Asset
  • New tea shoots at Koshigoe Pass
    New tea shoots at Koshigoe Pass
  • The new shoots of tea
    The new shoots of tea
  • Tea fields and houses at Kamatsuka
    Tea fields and houses at Kamatsuka
  • Snow on the hillside tea fields
    Snow on the hillside tea fields
  • Snow-covered tea fields above the hamlet
    Snow-covered tea fields above the hamlet
  • Snow on the tea rows under blue sky
    Snow on the tea rows under blue sky
  • Frost on the hilltop tea fields
    Frost on the hilltop tea fields
  • Snow on the Kamatsuka tea fields
    Snow on the Kamatsuka tea fields
  • Peaks above a sea of clouds
    Peaks above a sea of clouds
  • Sea of clouds toward Mt. Yuya, Koshigoe Pass
    Sea of clouds toward Mt. Yuya, Koshigoe Pass
  • Wazuka under a sea of clouds
    Wazuka under a sea of clouds
  • A rainbow over the Shirasu tea fields
    A rainbow over the Shirasu tea fields
  • Sunset at Shirasu with Tenku Cafe
    Sunset at Shirasu with Tenku Cafe
  • The village in morning mist
    The village in morning mist
  • Sea of clouds from above Bishamonji
    Sea of clouds from above Bishamonji
  • Sunrise over the clouds, Koshigoe Pass
    Sunrise over the clouds, Koshigoe Pass
  • Dawn from Koshigoe Pass
    Dawn from Koshigoe Pass
  • Light over the hills toward the Soni highlands
    Light over the hills toward the Soni highlands
  • A misty morning from the Ishitera field path
    A misty morning from the Ishitera field path
  • Sunrise over Wazuka I
    Sunrise over Wazuka I
  • Sunrise over Wazuka II
    Sunrise over Wazuka II
  • Sunrise over Wazuka III
    Sunrise over Wazuka III
  • Cherry trees along the Iwaibashi bank, Naka
    Cherry trees along the Iwaibashi bank, Naka
  • Cosmos in bloom at Bessho
    Cosmos in bloom at Bessho
  • The weeping cherry beside Terasu Wazuka
    The weeping cherry beside Terasu Wazuka
  • The weeping cherry of Saiganji, Yubune
    The weeping cherry of Saiganji, Yubune
  • Shirasu in cherry blossom season
    Shirasu in cherry blossom season
  • Spring from the road above Bishamonji
    Spring from the road above Bishamonji
  • Cherry blossom over the Ishitera tea fields
    Cherry blossom over the Ishitera tea fields
  • Wisteria at Tsugakubashi
    Wisteria at Tsugakubashi
  • Autumn colours at Wazuka Sports Park
    Autumn colours at Wazuka Sports Park
  • An avenue of autumn colour, Wazuka Sports Park
    An avenue of autumn colour, Wazuka Sports Park
  • Crimson enkianthus at Wazuka Sports Park
    Crimson enkianthus at Wazuka Sports Park
  • Autumn leaves against the sky
    Autumn leaves against the sky
  • Autumn at Bishamonji, Shirasu
    Autumn at Bishamonji, Shirasu
  • Autumn from the road above Bishamonji
    Autumn from the road above Bishamonji
  • Autumn tea fields and Mt. Jubu
    Autumn tea fields and Mt. Jubu
  • Autumn leaves above the clouds
    Autumn leaves above the clouds
  • Looking south from near Koshigoe Pass
    Looking south from near Koshigoe Pass
  • Shirasu and Erihara from Koshigoe Pass
    Shirasu and Erihara from Koshigoe Pass
  • A Japanese pygmy woodpecker among cherry buds
    A Japanese pygmy woodpecker among cherry buds
  • Macaques by the tea hedge
    Macaques by the tea hedge
  • A macaque among the dandelions
    A macaque among the dandelions
  • Macaques gathering in the tea fields
    Macaques gathering in the tea fields
  • A brown-eared bulbul in the cherry blossom
    A brown-eared bulbul in the cherry blossom
  • A green pheasant at Ishitera, the bird of Wazuka
    A green pheasant at Ishitera, the bird of Wazuka
  • Spot-billed ducks in the paddies, Ryokusen Course
    Spot-billed ducks in the paddies, Ryokusen Course
  • The Wazuka River and the town
    The Wazuka River and the town
  • The valley hamlet of Yubune
    The valley hamlet of Yubune
  • The Miroku Buddha, Wazuka Ryokusen Course
    The Miroku Buddha, Wazuka Ryokusen Course
  • The tomb of Prince Asaka and the village
    The tomb of Prince Asaka and the village
  • Hyakujo Rock at Yubune
    Hyakujo Rock at Yubune
  • An old tree at Shirasu
    An old tree at Shirasu
  • Rice drying on racks at Shirasu
    Rice drying on racks at Shirasu
  • Tea fields and rice paddies from Nagai
    Tea fields and rice paddies from Nagai
  • The tomb of Prince Asaka across the Wazuka River
    The tomb of Prince Asaka across the Wazuka River
  • Tea fields with a red barn
    Tea fields with a red barn
  • Harvesting tea by machine
    Harvesting tea by machine
  • Sunset behind the ridge
    Sunset behind the ridge
  • Autumn leaves at the sports park
    Autumn leaves at the sports park
  • Autumn colours in the garden
    Autumn colours in the garden
  • Autumn leaves against a blue sky
    Autumn leaves against a blue sky
  • A path through autumn leaves
    A path through autumn leaves
  • A garden in fresh green
    A garden in fresh green
  • Fireworks at the Chagen Festival
    Fireworks at the Chagen Festival
  • A great rainbow over the tea fields
    A great rainbow over the tea fields
  • Tea fields and rice paddies at sunset
    Tea fields and rice paddies at sunset
Disclaimer