Regarding Yame "Matcha"

• Our primary processing factory produces raw materials for "Sencha" (steeped green tea). We do not produce the raw materials for "Matcha" (Tencha).
• The Matcha powder ground at our facility is made from tea leaves grown in our own gardens, processed into Tencha at a partner factory, and then brought back to be ground at our own factory.
• Please note that depending on the factory's operating schedule, you may not be able to see the Matcha grinding process.
• We do not own stone mills, so the traditional stone-grinding process is not available for viewing.
• Please refrain from visiting the factory for business negotiations. (Negotiations cannot be conducted on-site.)
  For business inquiries, please contact us via the email form below.
  https://www.yame.co.jp/index.html#indexContact-contents

*If you do not arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time, your visit will be considered canceled.

★During the Yame Tea Factory Tour, we will move between the tea factory and tea gardens ON FOOT while enjoying the peaceful rural scenery.

• Transportation by bus or car is not possible.
• The entire tour is conducted on foot, and there are no places to sit and rest along the route.
• The factory contains machinery and equipment, and there are many steps and uneven surfaces.
• Upon request, we can guide you to the Matcha Processing Room in the finishing factory, but please note that this requires using stairs.
• Strollers, walkers, or other mobility aids cannot be brought into the facilities.

Before making a reservation, please ensure that all participants are capable of walking for an extended period and standing while listening to the guide (considering the health of participants and the safety of children).

★Please check our Factory Tour Route (Ushijima Seicha YouTube Channel)

(Japanese)
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j6U47O-fM3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W2h91i6z_I

(English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3xnqCtb0As

★Entry to the tea factory is strictly prohibited for those under the influence of alcohol.

To ensure the safety of all guests, anyone who has consumed alcohol will not be permitted to participate in the factory tour.

★Please prepare the necessary items for outdoor movement on foot.

• As a general rule, the tour will proceed in rain or snow unless weather conditions are severe.
• Please bring appropriate clothing for the temperature and weather, including rain gear and cold-weather gear.
• We require all guests to wear a face mask inside the finishing factory. Please ensure you have a mask with you.

★Please use the restroom before the tour begins.

• There are only two restrooms at the Yame Main Store. To avoid delays in starting the factory tour, please ensure you have used the restroom in advance.

★Please make your reservation at least 【 ONE WEEK 】 prior to your preferred date.

• Our factory tours are conducted by certified Japanese Tea Instructors and Advisors. To ensure staff availability, please be sure to book at least 【one week】 in advance.
• As a general rule, we cannot accept reservation requests made within one week of the desired tour date.

★For guests booking more than 2 months in advance, we will contact you prior to the tour for confirmation.

For reservations made more than 2 months in advance, we will reach out approximately 2 weeks before your visit to finalize the tour details. Please ensure you provide a phone number or email address where you can be reached when making your booking.

• January 11th – June 20th (Weekdays only)
*Factory tours are not available during the summer season.

• October 1st – December 20th (Weekdays only)
*Tours are limited to weekdays as the factory does not operate on Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays.
*The tour period may change or be shortened depending on temperature and weather conditions.

*Shincha (New Tea) Season (Late April through Golden Week)
• Tours may be available on certain Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays during this period.
Reservations fill up quickly during the Shincha season, so please contact us by phone as early as possible.
• We cannot accept group tours during this period.
(This is to avoid overcrowding, as the store is very busy with guests during the Shincha Festival.)
• Please note that factory machinery may not be in operation on rainy days, as fresh tea leaves cannot be harvested in the rain.

Factory tours for Yame Tea will be unavailable during the following periods:
• Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays (Except during the Shincha season)
• Summer Season (June 21st – September 30th)
• Year-end and New Year Holidays (December 21st – January 10th)

*Please note that reservations for factory tours are suspended from the rainy season through the summer. This is to ensure the well-being of our guests, as temperatures both outdoors and inside the factory become extremely high.
*The suspension period may be adjusted or extended depending on temperature and weather conditions.

① 10:00 AM start
② 2:00 PM start (Twice daily)

*In June and September, tours may be limited to the 10:00 AM session only due to high temperatures.
*Tours are limited to one group per session.

Regarding Yame "Matcha"

• Our primary processing factory produces raw materials for "Sencha" (steeped green tea). We do not produce the raw materials for "Matcha" (Tencha).
• The Matcha powder ground at our facility is made from tea leaves grown in our own gardens, processed into Tencha at a partner factory, and then brought back to be ground at our own factory.
• Please note that depending on the factory's operating schedule, you may not be able to see the Matcha grinding process.
• We do not own stone mills, so the traditional stone-grinding process is not available for viewing.
• Please refrain from visiting the factory for business negotiations. (Negotiations cannot be conducted on-site.)
  For business inquiries, please contact us via the email form below.
  https://www.yame.co.jp/index.html#indexContact-contents

*If you do not arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time, your visit will be considered canceled.

There are three types of factory tour routes (Routes 1 to 3).
Please select your preferred route when booking via the reservation form below or inform us when booking by phone.

*For groups of 10 or more, the tour may take 10 to 15 minutes longer than usual. Please allow plenty of time for your visit.

*For groups of 20 or more, please refer to the [For Groups] section below.

*Alternative plans are available during the summer (when factory tours are suspended).
Please refer to the [Summer Season Limited Plan] below.

*All tour participants will receive one bag of "Ippuku-cha Tea Bags (2g x 2 bags)" as a souvenir.
(The type of Ippuku-cha cannot be selected.)
▶︎ Click here for Ippuku-cha Tea Bags

[Route ① Standard Course] Duration: approx. 60-70 mins
(A course where you can see the entire process from harvested tea leaves to the final product.)

[Tour Route]
Yame Main Store → Factory 1 (Primary Processing) → Factory 2 (Refining/Finishing) → Tea Plantation → Yame Main Store (Includes a cup of tea for tasting and a souvenir)

*If requested, you can view the "powder processing" on the 2nd floor of Factory 2, but please note this requires using stairs.

[Tour Fees]
< Groups of less than 10 people >
Junior High Students & Above: 605 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 385 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschoolers: Free (No souvenir provided)

< Groups of 10 or more >
Junior High Students & Above: 385 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 385 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschoolers: Free (No souvenir provided)

[Route ② Short Course] Duration: approx. 30-40 mins
(*Does not visit Factory 1 (Primary Processing))
(Recommended for those with limited time or those who prefer less walking.)

[Tour Route]
Yame Main Store → Factory 2 (Refining/Finishing) → Tea Plantation → Yame Main Store (Includes a cup of tea for tasting and a souvenir)

*If requested, you can view the "powder processing" on the 2nd floor of Factory 2, but please note this requires using stairs.

[Tour Fees]
< Groups of less than 10 people >
Junior High Students & Above: 605 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 385 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschoolers: Free (No souvenir provided)

< Groups of 10 or more >
Junior High Students & Above: 385 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 385 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschoolers: Free (No souvenir provided)

[Route ③ Yame Tea Comparison Course (5 Types)]
Duration: approx. 90-100 mins
(After the Route ① tour, enjoy a comparative tasting of 5 types of Yame Tea at the Main Store.)

*Due to seating capacity, group size is limited (Minimum 2, Maximum 5 people).
*Reservations for the Tea Comparison Course must be made at least 2 weeks in advance.
*The specific types of tea for tasting cannot be selected.
*Please note that Matcha is not included in the tasting/comparison course.

[Tour Route]
Yame Main Store → Factory 1 (Primary Processing) → Factory 2 (Refining/Finishing) → Tea Plantation → Yame Main Store (Tea Tasting) (Includes souvenir)

*If requested, you can view the "powder processing" on the 2nd floor of Factory 2, but please note this requires using stairs.

[Tour Fees]
Junior High Students & Above: 3,850 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 1,320 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschoolers: Free (No tea tasting or souvenir provided)

Period: June 21st – September 30th
(The period may shift or be extended depending on temperature conditions.)

To ensure the well-being of our guests, we do not provide guided tours inside the factory during this period due to extreme heat. Instead, we offer an indoor tea tasting experience at our store.

<Description>
This plan does not include factory or tea garden tours. You will have exclusive use of the counter seats at the Yame Main Store, where we will serve five seasonal varieties of Yame tea.

<Duration>
Approx. 30–40 minutes

<Number of Participants>
Min. 2 to Max. 5 people (due to limited counter seating)

<Price per Person>
Junior High Students and older: 3,300 yen (tax incl.) / Up to Elementary Students: 1,100 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschool children are free (however, no tea tasting or souvenir is included).

*Please be sure to contact us directly by phone at least 【2 weeks】 in advance.
*Specific tea varieties for the tasting cannot be selected.
*Please note that Matcha is not provided.

*There are only two restrooms at the Yame Main Store. To avoid delays in starting the tour, please ensure you use the restroom before the tour begins.

＜For Groups of 20 or More＞

• Groups of 20 or more will be divided into two or more smaller groups for the tour.
• Tours for large groups take longer than usual and may exceed the scheduled time (by an additional 30 to 60 minutes).
• Due to the limited space in our factory and store, we cannot accommodate everyone inside at once.
  Please understand that there may be waiting time outdoors and that it may not be possible to provide detailed explanations to every participant.
• Tea tasting will be served in paper cups while standing.

＜For Groups of 30 or More＞

• Please note that we may not be able to accept factory tour requests for groups of 30 or more.

＜For Groups with International Visitors＞

• If you are bringing a group of international visitors, please ensure that an interpreter is provided for each sub-group.
  We may not be able to accept the tour if an interpreter is not available.

＜Parking for Chartered Buses at Yame Main Store＞

• The parking lot in front of the Yame Main Store is narrow. Please refrain from parking chartered buses there.
  Please park and wait in our nearby Second Parking Lot.
  If you cannot park without obstructing other customers, or if the designated spaces are full, please wait in a different location except during boarding and drop-off.
  

＜Please Watch the Tour Route Videos (YouTube) in Advance＞

• As mentioned above, we may not be able to provide detailed explanations to everyone in a large group.
  We recommend watching our factory tour videos on YouTube beforehand to better understand the process during the actual tour.
  
  (Japanese)
  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/j6U47O-fM3k
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W2h91i6z_I
  
  (English)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3xnqCtb0As

• Outside of the Shincha (New Tea) season (mid-April through Golden Week), the 1st Factory (Crude Tea Factory) does not produce new tea. During these times, you will view the machinery while it is not in operation.
• From the summer period (scheduled for June 21st – September 30th), factory tour reservations will be suspended, as temperatures both outdoors and inside the factory become extremely high.
• As a general rule, tours will proceed even in rainy weather. Since the tour includes walking outdoors, please bring your own rain gear (umbrella, raincoat, etc.) if rain is forecast. We do not provide rain gear at our store.
• In the event of lightning, typhoons, or other severe weather, we may cancel the tour at our discretion.
  If a tour is cancelled due to bad weather shortly before the scheduled start time, we can offer an alternative indoor session, such as a guide on how to brew delicious tea, upon consultation.
• From December to February, both the outside temperature and the factory temperature will be low. Please take precautions against the cold when you participate.

Regarding the 2nd Factory (Finishing Factory), please strictly observe the following rules for hygiene purposes:

• Please change into slippers before entering the factory. (Available for free loan.)
• As we are a food production facility, if you are not wearing a mask, please refrain from talking, coughing, sneezing, or any other actions that may cause droplets.
• Tea dust may be present in the production area. If you have concerns, please prepare a mask in advance and wear it while inside the factory.
• We require all guests to wear a disposable cap and use a lint roller on their clothing.
• As a general rule, personal belongings and hand luggage are not permitted inside the workspace.
• Please note that the powder processing machinery for Matcha and other teas may not be in operation during your visit.
• Entry into the Matcha Room(Powder processing room) is prohibited. (You cannot go near the matcha grinding machines.)
  You may observe the matcha grinding process through the glass window.

<General Information for the Tour>
• Please participate in comfortable walking shoes and clothing that allows for easy movement.
• Storage space for luggage is limited, so please come with minimal belongings and travel light.
• Fine tea dust circulates inside the factory and may settle on your clothes. We recommend wearing clothing that you don't mind getting a little dusty.

<Photography and Filming Inside the Factory>
To allow you to fully experience the entire process of how Yame tea is made, photography and filming inside our factory are generally 【PERMITTED】. However, please strictly observe the following rules:

• Please be careful not to include tour guides or factory staff in your photos or videos.
• For your safety, do not approach the machinery while filming, as there is a risk of getting caught in the equipment.
• Photography of any items that could lead to the leakage of personal or proprietary corporate information is strictly prohibited.

To ensure staff availability, please make your reservation at least **one week** in advance for Route ① and Route ②, and at least **two weeks** in advance for Route ③ and the Summer Limited Plan.

Please apply using the Factory Tour Inquiry Form.
*Please note that we do not accept last-minute reservations near your preferred date.
https://www.yame.co.jp/form.html
↓
After we review your inquiry, we will contact you (via phone or email) to confirm whether the reservation is available.

Alternatively, you may book by calling the Ushijima Seicha Yame Main Store directly.
Phone: 0120-024-818
(We do not accept phone calls after 5 PM on weekdays or on Sundays.)

We would like to inform you that factory tour fees will be revised for reservations made from **October 1st, 2026**. We appreciate your kind understanding.

【Route ① Basic Course】 Duration: Approx. 60–70 min.

<For groups of less than 10 people>
Junior High Students and older: 700 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 350 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschool children are free (however, no souvenir is included).

<For groups of 10 or more>
Junior High Students and older: 500 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 350 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschool children are free (however, no souvenir is included).

【Route ② Short Course】 Duration: Approx. 30–40 min.

<For groups of less than 10 people>
Junior High Students and older: 700 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 350 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschool children are free (however, no souvenir is included).

<For groups of 10 or more>
Junior High Students and older: 500 yen (tax incl.) / Elementary Students: 350 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschool children are free (however, no souvenir is included).

【Route ③ Comparison Tasting of 5 Types of Yame Tea】
Duration: Approx. 90–100 min.

Junior High Students and older: 4,400 yen (tax incl.) / Under Elementary School Age: 1,210 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschool children are free (however, no tea tasting or souvenir is included).

【Yame Tea Factory Tour: Summer Limited Indoor Plan】 Duration: Approx. 30–40 min.

*Period: June 21st – September 30th
Junior High Students and older: 3,850 yen (tax incl.) / Up to Elementary Students: 1,100 yen (tax incl.)
*Preschool children are admitted free of charge (however, souvenirs are not provided).