Kakegawa
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Kakegawa is located between Shizuoka Prefecture’s two major cities, Shizuoka and Hamamatsu, and is known for its tea fields. Shizuoka Prefecture produces approximately 40% of Japan’s tea; it is one of the most well-known tea regions in the world. Therefore, Kakegawa plays an important role in tea cultivation and processing for the prefecture and country. However, Kakegawa is not a large metropolis like Osaka or Tokyo, and is rather spread out.
Travel tip #1: Japan’s cities tend to have characters that represent the city and way of life. Chanomiyamiya Kinjiro is Kakegawa’s tea farmer mascot. You may see him on different posters around the area.
Places of Interest
Tea Fields: If you travel inland into the mountainous areas of Kakegawa, you will find sprawling tea fields for miles. It is quite a serene and stunning sight, especially before the leaves are plucked in the spring. On one of the hills you can see the kanji character for “tea” (茶) made out of bushes.
Yokosuka Street: The Enshu Yokosuka district lies in the southern part of Kakegawa and is comprised of older houses and shops. This neighborhood is host to local artisans, such as kite makers and glass blowers, as well as a traditional shoyu (soy sauce) brewery. Festivals are held here throughout the year, too.
Kotonomama Hachimangu Shrine: Kotonomama Hachimangu is a shrine that was built about 1,800 years ago in Kakegawa and enshrines a god who connects humans and Earth. Kotonomama is quite popular, with people traveling from all over Japan to have their wishes granted exactly as they please while at the shrine. There is a giant, 31 meter tall camphor tree on the shrine grounds, as well. You can touch or hug the tree to feel its power and gain some of its strength.
Otsuka Tea Company: A family-owned tea company that has been in business for nearly 150 years. The company is owned by a wonderful family who sell domestically in Japan. Additionally, they travel around the world to share their award-winning tea while introducing Japan’s unique tea culture. More information can be found on their website.
Hattasan: Hattasan is a well-known temple and shrine on a hilltop in Fukuroi, which is a short drive from Kakegawa. Hattasan is usually quite crowded the first days in January, as many people in Shizuoka Prefecture frequent the temple and shrine for hatsumoude (the first shrine or temple visit of the year).
Travel tip #2: Kakegawa is known for its historically significant castle, which was first built in the late 15th Century. The castle is not very large, but is a nice place to visit while in Kakegawa and is one of the more famous castles in the Tokai region of Japan. There is also a stained glass museum nearby Kakegawa Castle.
Food
Green tea: If you’re in Kakegawa, you must try some locally produced green tea. There are many different companies to choose from, but know that Kakegawa produces some of the highest quality green tea in Japan—drink up!
Sakae Shoyu Brewery: This is a shoyu (soy sauce) shop established during the mid-Edo period. They continue to make shoyu with ingredients made in Japan using the traditional process and recipe. You can observe the traditional way shoyu is brewed, which has been passed down from generation to generation. They sell various types of shoyu and ponzu sauces in their shop, which is connected to the brewery. Tours are available, but only in Japanese.
Odango with anko: At Hattasan, odango with anko and green tea are sold. This odango is famous throughout Shizuoka Prefecture, and people come from far and wide to purchase these fresh made treats. You must first purchase the tickets from the machines outside of the cafe area. Once you have your tickets, exchange them at the window for your order. Enjoy the odango inside the sitting area or take your pre-packaged boxes to-go.
Transportation & Accommodation
Kakegawa’s train station has both a local JR line and Shinkansen (bullet train), making it a convenient stop between Shizuoka and Hamamatsu. There are bus lines that run throughout the city, too. Kakegawa is a very spread out city, so car is best to access most areas.
Although Kakegawa is not a major place for tourism in Japan, the city has a handful of hotels. Most are located near Kakegawa Station, which makes accessing them quite easy. If you’re looking for a more traditional cultural experience, ryokans (traditional Japanese hotel) with onsen (hot spring) are nice alternatives to standard hotels.
Climate
Like most cities in the Tokai region, Kakegawa is relatively warm throughout the year (by Japan’s standards). The mild climate does have a high amount of precipitation, though, with June having the highest amount of rainfall. August is the hottest month out of the year and is accompanied by high levels of humidity. Early spring is the nicest season in Kakegawa and is the best time to visit the tea fields. In May, you can partake in tea picking.