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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
As I mentioned in my previous entry, my husband and I spent part of our summer exploring Fukuoka, Japan in 2025. One destination we were especially excited about was Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館), nestled in the serene village of Hoshinomura, Yame City. This cultural center is devoted to the rich legacy of Yame Green Tea (八女茶)—a place where tea isn’t just consumed, but experienced.
After sipping a refreshing matcha smoothie at Kashi Kichi, a charming café known for its locally sourced ingredients, we made our way to Cha no Bunkakan. The drive took about 10 minutes by car, winding through lush tea fields and quiet mountain roads—a scenic prelude to the immersive tea journey ahead.
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
10816-5 Hoshinomura
Yame-city, Fukuoka
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
As we arrived at Cha no Bunkakan, I noticed the garden around the building. It was very green and peaceful. There were many tall trees and mossy stone steps. Everything looked neat and natural. The garden felt calm, like it was part of the tea house itself.
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
Learn
At Cha no Bunkakan, we learned about the history of tea and how green tea leaves are made. We also discovered the differences between several kinds of tea, including Gyokuro (玉露), Tencha (碾茶), Matcha (抹茶), Sencha (煎茶), Fukamushi Sencha (深蒸し煎茶), and Kabusecha (冠せ茶). Each type has its own flavor and character. It was fascinating to see how much care goes into every step.
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
Experience
At Cha no Bunkakan, visitors can enjoy hands-on tea activities that go beyond just tasting. It is about making, feeling, and understanding tea culture.
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
In 2024, we joined a fun challenge: for 300 yen, you could pack as much freshly roasted hojicha (ほうじ茶) as you could fit. The smell of the roasted tea was warm and comforting, and it filled the room. We brought some home too, and enjoyed the flavor again later, remembering the experience.
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
They also offer more hands-on tea experiences.
Visitors can grind tencha leaves with a traditional stone mill to produce fresh matcha. It’s a slow, meditative process that lets you appreciate the effort behind every bowl of matcha.
Learn the delicate art of hand-rolling steamed tea leaves. This traditional technique enhances aroma and flavor, and you get to take home the tea you’ve crafted.
Create your own houjicha blend by roasting tea leaves with additions like rice or soybeans. It’s a playful way to explore flavor variations.
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
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| Yame Saryo (八女茶寮) |
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| Yame Saryo (八女茶寮) |
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
This time, we really wanted to try Shizuku-cha (しずく茶). Shizuku-cha is special because it is not commonly offered outside Yame, so tasting it here felt like a rare experience.
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
We ordered shizuku-cha for 800 yen and a cold sencha green tea (冷煎茶) for 300 yen.
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
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| Cha no Bunkakan (茶の文化館) |
We chose seats at the counter. From there, the view through the window was beautiful. The green trees outside made the space feel calm and relaxing, and we could enjoy our tea in peace.
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| The View from the Window |
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| Cold Sencha Green Tea (冷煎茶) |
Shizuku-Cha Tasting
Shizuku-cha is a luxurious way to enjoy Yame’s famous green tea, prepared drop by drop to highlight its deep umami flavor.
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| Shizuku-cha (しずく茶) |
At Cha no Bunkakan, they served Yame tea leaves, hot water, a wagashi sweet, and ponzu to complete the experience.
🍵 How to Enjoy Shizuku-cha®
※ “Shizuku-cha” is a registered trademark of Cha no Bunkakan.
Prepare the tea leaves Place 3g of gyokuro (about one heaping teaspoon) into a teacup.
First infusion Pour 20ml of water cooled to body temperature (~37°C) into the cup. Cover with a lid and wait about 2 minutes. When you lift the lid, enjoy the aroma as the tea leaves begin to open.
Second and third infusions Pour about 20ml of water at 60°C into the cup. Wait 15–20 seconds, then savor the rich umami flavor.
Subsequent infusions Continue enjoying the evolving taste—now a balance of umami and astringency. Steep for about 15 seconds each time.
Flavor deepens with each cup As the leaves continue to open, the tea develops a richer, deeper taste. The leaves remain flavorful and aromatic until the end.
Enjoy the tea leaves too! The leftover leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals. Add ponzu sauce and enjoy them as a delicious side dish.
I noticed that the taste changed with each infusion. The first infusion had a rich and pure green tea umami flavor. The second and third infusions were lighter, with a gentle sweetness. Later infusions brought out more balance, mixing umami with a slight astringency. Each cup felt different, and that made the experience more special.
The wagashi paired beautifully with the Yame green tea. Its gentle sweetness balanced the deep umami flavor of the tea, making each sip feel even more refined. Together, they created a calm and satisfying harmony.
Finally, we enjoyed the leftover green tea leaves with ponzu. The taste reminded us of ohitashi (ほうれんそうのおひたし), boiled spinach with soy sauce. It felt fresh and savory, and it was a new experience for us.
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| Yame Map |
There was a Yame map showing the best places to visit. I didn’t realize there were so many spots to see in Yame. We enjoyed our time at Cha no Bunkakan, and it made us think that next time we should explore more sightseeing places in the area.
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| Yame Map |
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| Yame Map |
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| Chacha Ippuku (茶々一福) |
At the parking lot, we enjoyed a matcha mochi dessert called Chacha Ippuku (茶々一福). We had bought it at the gift shop in Cha no Bunkakan for 190 yen ($1.30). It was incredibly delicious. I was so glad I decided to pick it up.
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| Chacha Ippuku (茶々一福) |
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| Chacha Ippuku (茶々一福) |
This matcha mochi was covered with plenty of Yame matcha powder. It was soft and chewy, with creamy matcha inside. The flavor was rich and satisfying—truly the best matcha mochi dessert I’ve ever had. It became the reason I want to return to Cha no Bunkakan again.
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| Chacha Ippuku (茶々一福) |
Final Thought
Cha no Bunkakan is more than a museum—it’s a place where you can truly experience Yame’s tea culture. From hands-on activities and rare tastings to local sweets and peaceful views, every moment feels special. If you want to understand the heart of Yame and enjoy tea in unforgettable ways, Cha no Bunkakan is a must-visit.
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