Shizuoka is the largest tea-producing region in the country. Much of the tea grown here is sencha, typically characterized by a delicate sweetness, grassy aroma and perceptible astringency. Situated on the southeast coast of the island of Honshu, Shizuoka’s mountainous landscape boasts a varying climate with morning and evening mist that creates shorter daylight hours, fertile land enriched by Mt. Fuji’s volcanic soil, good rainfall and excellent water quality. In particular, green tea plantations in the town of Kawane sprawl along the mountain valley on the upper part of the Ōi river which flows from the Southern Japanese Alps. This clear river water is said to be one reason why Kawanecha is so good.