Oita prefecture is on the eastern part of Kyushu island and faces the Inland Sea on one end, and with the large Aso caldera at its back.
Compared to other regions in Kyushu, the green tea output of Oita is not very high, but its quality is on par with them.
Tea production is done in various areas, from forest-side to mountainous zones. History of green tea production in Oita goes back to the Edo period.
Japanese black tea (koucha) and pan-fried green tea are among its specialties. More recently, large-scales efforts in land reclamation in the northern part of Oita has allowed the area to increase its green tea production when foreign black tea began to take hold in Japan.
Recently dozens of private and small-sized producers started to make their own green tea with increasing success, locally and worldwide.
The area of Usuki city in particular is now focusing on growing organic green tea, away from cross-pollution risks.
With a bountiful nature, amazing waterfalls, hundreds of hot springs, thousands of shrines nested in ancient forests, and beautiful beaches, Oita is a hidden gem in Japan that is off the beaten track.
It is also one of its warmest, so green tea is grown in the mountains, where it is cooler allowing a perfect temperature difference for growing green tea.
