An image of Makinohara, Shizuoka

I’ve got this image of our trip to Makinohara. We were driving from the coast up to the vast Makinohara Plateau, heading to the many tea plantations that have taken root up there. Looking back now on a map I think we might have been on Route 69, if it helps.  

As our motor ambled up the gentle climb, on our right the trees and bushes cleared to reveal the sight of the mountain slope kind of tumbling down to the coast. It was early summer and it had been raining on and off during our stay in town. The mountainsides and valleys were coated in green, all steamy and lush. It was quite the panorama - one that reminded me of Bali. 

I suppose you might have to be careful in whose presence you loosely throw out descriptions of a place in Japan that has waves, surf culture and can sometimes look like Bali. It could set people frothing under false expectations.  

In my albeit limited experience, Makinohara’s waves can’t compare to those of the surf-saturated Indonesian island (not many places in the world can, although the surf stadium in town does ensure a certain amount of class and consistency for the Makinohara lineup). Not to worry though, Makinohara’s scene is perhaps more laid back as a result and comes with a delightfully ramshackle and retro charm to it which you can see and feel when exploring the coast, north to south, between Shizunami and Sagara beaches. 

I didn’t ask that we pull over in order that I could have taken a snap of the beautiful view on the way to the plantations. I regret that, even though I know I could have never done it justice through a camera lens. 

Personally, I find other sources and sensations to be far more potent reminders of a place than photos anyway. Music is one - an artist I might have been listening to at the time. Smells and tastes are others. 

(Taking some tea at home, with a view that unfortunately can't match that encountered in Makinohara)

So I’ve just finished drinking a cup of Makinohara sencha tea and while taking in the taste and the aroma, and thinking about what to blog about now, I’ve had the chance to pause and go back to that view on our way up to the plateau. I’m grateful for the chance and I hope that the image will remain clear in my mind for years to come. Perhaps a plentiful stock of these tea bags will help. 

It makes me chuckle a bit, too. I felt that the coming together of green tea and surfing was an unlikely one. But the two really are side by side in Makinohara where mountains meet the ocean. And here I am, a surfer (of sorts - the not-very-good sort) enjoying a cup of sencha.

I start most days off with a cup of green tea if only to delay a steady drip of coffee throughout the rest of the day. Compared to some of the staples we have at home this Makinohara tea, for me at least, has a kind of soft edge to it and subtle flavor that seems to me suited for easing into a day or taking a break and thinking fondly of times past.  

The tea comes from Grinpia Makinohara, a farm, factory and store located on the vast Makinohara Plateau. 

This post is supported by Makinohara City, one of City-Cost's Supporters helping City-Cost bloggers to enjoy life in Japan and engage in new experiences.