It's May! Time to harvest tea

May is tea harvest time in Japan. In February, tea plants are clipped into their classic hedge-like shapes. As the weather warms up, tea plants put on up to four inches of new growth which is picked in May. Most tea is picked by machine, but the highest grade teas are picked and processed by hand.

Tea plantation, Saiyama Hills near Tokyo



Wada-san, proprietor of Wada-en tea plantation in Saiyama, explains the tea harvesting process.

More information about where to experience green tea harvesting in Japan: http://gojapan.about.com/od/attraction1/tp/japan_greentea_harvesting.htm (Usual disclaimers apply.)