Hachimanjyu Yakushima Tea

Introduction

Hachimanjyu Yakushima Tea is located in the Yakushima island, a World Natural Heritage site famous for its ancient forests. The farm was started in 1985 by three friends, Yashiro Shiba, Mankichi Watanabe and Hisashi Kurushima. They had attended the same high school and while for some years they lived apart in different cities around Japan, eventually they all returned to their home island of Yakushima. After reuniting they decided they want to start a tea farm together. Looking for the right place they travelled around Japan visiting potential areas. However even after seeing multiple tea producing regions they decided they wanted to start their farm in Yakushima.

From the start Hachimanjyu Yakushima Tea has cultivated tea with deep respect for the nature of the island. They have never used pesticides, and from 2001 they have been JAS organic certified. When pests appear the impacted area is removed carefully by hand. When leaves and debris is blown by wind to the fields is removed gently. Micro-organisms in the soil decompose organic matter, returning their nutrients back to the soil for the tea plants to use. Because of the emphasis on maintaining the natural state of the ecosystem and biodiversity even in the farm the nature is lively. Insects buzz around in the air, birds chirp, and the power of the nature of Yakushima can be felt all around.

Awards & Certifications

Organic JAS Certification 15th National Environment Conservation Agriculture Promotion Council Chairman’s Award Certified as Eco Farmer (certified by Kagoshima prefectural governor)

About the Island of Yakushima

Yakushima Island, belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture, is located 135 km south of the Osumi Peninsula of Kagoshima. In 1993, about 21% of the island was designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

With its heavy precipitation throughout the year, often said that it rains 35 days a month, 90% of the island is covered in forest, with unique vegetation. Many of the Japanese cedar trees in this forest are more than 1,000 years old. These old trees are called Yakusugi’ In the Yakusugi forest lies one of the world’s oldest trees, the Jomon Sugi, estimated to be between 2170 – 7200 years old.

The highest elevation on the island is Miyanouradake, the highest mountain on Yakushima as well as in the entire Kyushu region. Rich in nature with mountains, beaches, and even onsen hot springs, Yakushima attracts many visitors. The island is especially popular due to the influence of an animation Princess Mononoke by Miyazaki Hayao, in which the setting is said to be modeled after this island.