Sumpu O-Chatsubo Dochu is a cultural event replicating the traditional ceremony where citizens present the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa with a special tea of first flush which is produced in Hoynaya Tea Estate and matured under the cool temperature on the Dainichi Mountain pass till autumn. In the original ceremony in Edo period, the special matured tea was brought from the peak of Mt. Daichini to the Sumpu Castle, where Ieyasu lived. In the present time, the group of tea business persons wearing traditional costumes such as Samurai bring the matured tea from the Dainichi Mountain pass to the Toshogu Shrine on Mt. Kuno through the urban area of Shizuoka city.
The special tea was put into tea jars so-called “O-Chatsubo” and the O-Chatsubo was sealed in the traditional manner using clean paper at the end of first flush season. Then in autumn, the seal is opened in the ceremony “Kuchikiri no Gi” (Kuchikiri Ceremony) held in the Toshogu Shrine.
In this year, Spain ambassadors were invited to the ceremony from the Embassy of Spain in Tokyo. They seemed delighted the ceremony and specialty tea produced in Honyama Tea Estate. 
The special matured tea will be served in the traditional tea house in Momijiyama garden in Sumpu Castle Park in this weekend(2nd and 3rd November).
The tea house in Momijiyama garden in Sumpu Castle Park.
The Japanese traditional water basin “Tsukubai” will welcome you at the entrance of the tea house “Momiji-tei” in Momijiyama garden.
Hopefully you tea lovers could enjoy tasting the special matured tea and history of Honyama Tea Estate and Shizuoka.
Daidogei World Cup in Shizuoka also will be held in and around the Sumpu Castle Park from 1st to 4th on November. If you visit Shizuoka prefecture to see the Daigogei, it is recommended to drop in the tea house to enjoy the special matured tea. It will be perfect to a short break and relaxation!!
Momiji garden in Sumpu Castle Park is perfect for relaxation. Nature wealth of Japanese garden such as pond, small river, trees and seasonal flowers will delight you. The garden is popular among European visitors.
The small river in Momijiyama Garden could let us relaxed.
A white lotus flower let me feel as if I lie on Nirvana next to Shakamuni.
< Event Information >
- Event : Honyama Autum Tea Festival 2019
- Date : 10:00 – 16:00 on 2nd (Sat.) and 3rd (Sun.) November.
- Venue : Momijiyama Garden in Sumpu Castle Park
- Address : Sumpu Castle Park 1-1, Aoi ward, Shizuoka city, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan.