The World O-Cha (Tea) Festival is set to return from April 19 through May 21, 2025. It will offer a tasty immersion into the world of Japanese green tea at the Tea Museum of Shizuoka, the Shizuoka Tea Market, and various locations in the Tokyo metropolitan and Kansai areas. The festival has been held once every three years in Shizuoka, Japan, since its inception in 2001.
The World O-Cha festival is undoubtedly Japan’s most comprehensive exhibition (and celebration) of tea. The 2022 edition of the Festival saw a record seven hundred and forty thousand participants from 20 countries. The 2022 Festival was notable for showcasing post-fermented teas as well as the use of satellite imagery for tea farm management.
Attendees of the 2025 Festival can expect plenty of opportunities to participate in traditional tea ceremonies, as well as tastings, pairings and even yoga. There are contests for the most innovative green tea products, and vendors selling the latest cutting-edge technologies in tea. Visitors can experience the 100 Famous Teas of Shizuoka, and the extraordinary creativity within the tea community, from matcha preparation workshops to intricate tea art.
Tea soothes the soul, and it is an integral and historic part of Japanese culture. Green tea and matcha have become increasingly popular around the world, winning fans with their unique flavour, health benefits, and cosmetic applications. The stated goal of the World O-Cha Festival is to further promote the healthful properties of green tea and pass on the tradition of drinking tea to younger generations.
Shizuoka Prefecture is the capital of green tea production in Japan, where lush green tea fields drape the countryside, the cuisine is infused with the signature flavours of green tea, and even hot spring experiences are rounded out with the freshest matcha and green tea in the world! It is an ideal destination for tea lovers and is also known for its sparkling views of Mt. Fuji. Shizuoka is easily accessible via the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya.
You can learn more about travelling to Japan at https://www.japan.travel/
