![[Pullman Tokyo Tamachi]Cherry blossom festival, “Spring High Tea” is now available, a “not sweet” afternoon tea with champagne](https://japansnap.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1713075404_Pullman-Tokyo-TamachiCherry-blossom-festival-Spring-High-Tea-is-now-300x200.jpg)
“Kai Kirishima: Indulge in the Flavor, Aroma, and Art of Kirishima Tea during the Fresh Tea Season”
Available from May 1 to June 20, 2024, a 2-day stay in a scenic hot spring inn, featuring 8 varieties of Kirishima tea
Nestled in a panoramic setting with views of Sakurajima, Kai Kirishima offers the “Ultimate Kirishima Tea Experience” from May 1 to June 20, 2024. This special stay coincides with the fresh tea season, allowing guests to fully enjoy the taste, aroma, and craftsmanship of Kirishima tea.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a tasting of eight different Kirishima teas, complemented by authentic Shochu, brewed in the same Satsuma region. Relax and unwind while taking in the ever-changing vistas of Kirishima.
The next morning’s breakfast features a unique treat: Kanpachi, a fish raised on Kagoshima tea, served as a delightful tea rice dish. The stay culminates with a visit to a tea farm, where guests can pick fresh tea buds at the foothills and participate in making pan-fired tea, immersing themselves in the full Kirishima tea experience.
In Kagoshima Prefecture, a hub for tea production, there’s a saying, “Have a cup of tea before you go,” highlighting the deep-rooted tea drinking culture.
Kai Kirishima, situated in one of Japan’s leading tea-producing regions, is renowned for its high-quality tea, often earning accolades at national tea competitions. Kirishima tea, grown in the unique environment of Kirishima with its significant day-night temperature variations and morning mists, boasts a rich flavor and fragrant aroma, characterized by its clear water color.
Despite its qualities, Kirishima tea is not yet widely recognized nationwide. This special accommodation plan was developed to introduce more people to the charm of Kirishima tea. It promises an enjoyable stay, especially during the fresh tea season, where guests can savor the unique pleasures of Kagoshima’s tea culture.
“Feature 1: Pairing of 8 Varieties of Kirishima Tea with Carefully Selected Shochu by Four Master Brewers, Accompanied by Snacks”
Experience various ways to enjoy a combination of different types of Kirishima tea and authentic Shochu, produced by four distilleries in Kirishima City. The Kirishima tea used for pairing is “Gensen Kirishima Tea,” certified by Kirishima City’s gastronomy brand, “Gensen Kirishima.”
To bring out the true flavor of Kirishima tea, special attention is paid to the extraction temperature and time. The Shochu paired with each tea is selected by four master brewers, ensuring a perfect match with the characteristics of each tea leaf. Snacks include fresh tea tempura, unique to the new tea season, and Kagoshima’s famous black sugar. Enjoy this pairing session in a room with a panoramic view of Sakurajima and the Kirishima Highlands, complete with explanations of each pairing.
About Gensen Kirishima Tea
In Kirishima City, the Kirishima Gastronomy Brand “Gensen Kirishima” certifies outstanding local products, services, and initiatives related to Kirishima’s food culture, promoting their charm both domestically and internationally. “Gensen Kirishima Tea” is a product line developed in collaboration between seven certified tea farmers and Kirishima City, offering eight types of Kirishima tea in unified packaging. These teas, proudly cultivated by the city’s accredited tea farmers, offer a diverse array of flavors for tea enthusiasts to enjoy.
An Example of the Pairing
Henta Seicha Organic Matcha No. 6 x Kokubu Shuzo Tsurunashi Genji Original Brew
Prepare the “Organic Matcha” with cold water, shake it well with ice to dissolve thoroughly, and pour “Tsurunashi Genji” over a glass full of crushed ice. First, take a sip of Tsurunashi Genji, followed by the chilled Organic Matcha as a chaser. The rich sweetness of Tsurunashi Genji perfectly complements the intense, refreshing bitterness of the Organic Matcha.
“Feature 2: Morning Tea Rice Meal with Fresh Kirishima Tea 【NEW】”
Savor the unique tea rice meal featuring fresh tea and fresh fish. Guests can choose from the “Gensen Kirishima Tea” selection to customize their tea rice experience. The main ingredient is Kanpachi, a fish raised on Kagoshima tea, known for its synergistic effect of enhancing umami when combined with the umami components in the tea.
Additionally, the meal is accompanied by barley miso and bonito flake miso balls, along with pickled Sakurajima radish. It’s a tea rice meal that encapsulates the diverse flavors of Kagoshima.
“Feature 3: New Tea Picking and Pan-Frying Experience in the Scenic Tea Fields Surrounded by the Kirishima Mountain Range”
Experience tea picking amidst the sprawling tea fields at Henta Seicha, located at the foot of the Kirishima Mountain Range. The tea, cultivated at an altitude of 200-300 meters using organic or pesticide-free methods, is known for its refreshing aroma.
Guests can personally pick the fresh buds of tea grown in nature, directly experiencing the environment in which Kirishima tea thrives. The freshly picked tea is then pan-fried on-site. Pan-frying, or “kamaka,” involves roasting tea in a heated iron kettle, which brings out the tea’s intrinsic toasty aroma.
Enjoy the experience of pan-frying freshly picked tea, gradually releasing its delightful aroma. The finished pan-fried tea can also be taken home as a souvenir.
“Sample Stay Schedule”
“【Day 1】”
- 15:00: Check-in. Enjoy Kirishima tea and authentic Shochu pairing with staff explanations
- 17:30: Dinner. Savor a seasonal Kaiseki meal featuring black pork Shabu-Shabu
- 19:30: Soak in the hot springs at the bathhouse
- 21:15: Watch the local performance “Tenson Korin ENBU”
- 22:00: Bedtime
“【Day 2】”
- 07:00: Participate in “Tenson Korin Exercise”, incorporating breathing to oxygenate the body
- 08:00: Morning bath to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, starting the day refreshed
- 09:00: Enjoy the morning tea rice meal
- 12:00: Check-out
- 13:00: Experience new tea picking and pan-frying tea at Henta Seicha’s tea fields
“Ultimate Kirishima Tea Experience” Overview
- Duration: May 1 to June 20, 2024
- Price: From 81,000 yen (per person in a double occupancy room, including tax and service charge)
- Includes: 8 sets of Kirishima tea and Shochu pairing, snacks for pairing, morning tea rice meal, new tea picking and pan-frying tea experience, dinner, special room accommodation
- Location: Kai Kirishima *New tea picking and pan-frying tea experience will be held at Henta Seicha
- Target: One group per day *Up to 2 people per group
- Note: New tea picking may be canceled due to weather conditions.
- Reservation: Official website (https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaikirishima/), reservations must be made at least 14 days before the stay date
“What is ‘Kai’?”
“Kai” is a hot spring inn brand operated by Hoshino Resorts, with 22 facilities across Japan. Under the theme of “Classic yet New,” Kai pursues hospitality that embraces seasonal changes, Japanese aesthetics, and traditions, while catering to contemporary needs. A distinctive feature is the “Gotochi Gaku,” offering guests experiences in local traditional cultures and crafts, and the “Gotochi Room,” guest rooms themed around local cultures. In April 2024, “Kai Akiu” will open in Akiu Hot Spring, Miyagi Prefecture, and in autumn, “Kai Okuhida” will launch in Okuhida Onsen Village, Gifu Prefecture.
URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/brands/kai/
“Kai Kirishima”
Located on the mid-slopes of the myth-enshrined Mount Takachiho, every room at Kai Kirishima offers a liberating view of Sakurajima. A slope car descends to a grassy field where a bathhouse stands, offering a panoramic view of the Kirishima Highlands and a hot spring experience that rejuvenates both body and mind. The dynamic performances depicting the descent of the heavenly grandson are also a highlight.
- Address: 2583-21 Kirishima Taguchi, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture 899-4201, Japan
- Phone: +81 50-3134-8092 (Kai Reservation Center)
- Number of Rooms: 49 total; Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 12:00
- Price: From 31,000 yen per night (per person in a double occupancy room, including tax and service charge, meals not included)
- Access: [Train] About 15 minutes by car from JR Kirishima Jingu Station / [Car] About 45 minutes from Kagoshima Airport
- URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaikirishima/
![[Pullman Tokyo Tamachi]Cherry blossom festival, “Spring High Tea” is now available, a “not sweet” afternoon tea with champagne](https://japansnap.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1713075404_Pullman-Tokyo-TamachiCherry-blossom-festival-Spring-High-Tea-is-now-768x513.jpg)
