In short: Ocha No Kajihara is a green tea estate in Kumamoto, Japan, operated by Ocha No Kajihara and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Ocha No Kajihara is a tea estate located in Kumamoto prefecture, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, at an elevation of 178 metres. The estate is operated by a company of the same name, Ocha No Kajihara, and focuses on the production of green tea. It holds certification from the Ethical Tea Partnership.
Terroir & Climate
At 178 metres above sea level, Ocha No Kajihara occupies a relatively low elevation in the context of Japanese tea cultivation. Estates at this altitude in Kumamoto typically experience a warmer growing environment than high-elevation sites, which tends to advance the spring flush and can encourage vigorous vegetative growth. The latitude of approximately 32°N places the estate in the southern part of Japan's tea-growing belt, where the subtropical climate generally supports an extended growing season.
Kumamoto's position on Kyushu means the estate is likely influenced by maritime conditions, with ample precipitation distributed across the year. Lower-elevation sites in this region often benefit from fertile volcanic soils, though specific soil composition at Ocha No Kajihara has not been documented. The combination of moderate altitude and southern latitude typically favours the production of fresh, aromatic green teas, though microclimatic variations and farm management practices play decisive roles in shaping the final leaf character.
Tea Produced
Ocha No Kajihara produces green tea, the dominant category across Japan's tea-growing regions. Estates in Kumamoto at similar elevations tend to yield teas with a balance of sweetness and vegetal character, often expressing the fresh, grassy notes characteristic of Japanese greens. The warmer growing conditions at 178 metres can encourage the development of amino acids in young leaves, which may contribute to umami depth in steamed teas, though specific processing methods and cultivars at this estate have not been verified.
Operator
The estate is operated by Ocha No Kajihara, a company that shares its name with the property. No other estates operated by this company are currently recorded in our directory, suggesting a focused, single-site operation. Further details regarding the company's structure, ownership, or commercial strategy have not been publicly documented.
Certifications & Ethics
Ocha No Kajihara is certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership, an industry body that works with tea producers to improve labour standards, environmental practices, and community welfare. ETP certification indicates that the estate has undergone assessment against the partnership's benchmark criteria, which cover areas including worker rights, health and safety, and responsible agrochemical use. For buyers, the certification offers a degree of assurance regarding supply-chain due diligence, while for workers it is intended to support improved conditions on the ground.
Location & Neighbouring Estates
Ocha No Kajihara lies at 32.2643, 130.5764 in Kumamoto, Japan. Its 178 m elevation is the 2nd highest of 11 estates we map in Japan. The nearest estates in the TeaTrade directory, measured point-to-point from these coordinates, are:
- Atelier Sueyoshi Seicha Llc — 80 km away · Soo-Shi
- Tokkoen Co. Ltd. — 83 km away · Kagoshima-City
- Wakohen Inc. — 97 km away · Shibushi-Shi
- Hadong Tea Factory — 369 km away · Ulju-gun
- Hannam Tea Estate — 382 km away · Seogwipo-si
Observed Climate at Ocha No Kajihara (2025)
ERA5 reanalysis data modelled for Ocha No Kajihara’s coordinates recorded 2,010 mm of precipitation across calendar year 2025. The wettest month was June (420 mm) and the driest was January (44 mm). Daytime highs averaged 21.3 °C and overnight lows 12.5 °C over the year; July was the warmest month and February the coolest.
| Metric | 2025 value |
|---|---|
| Annual precipitation | 2,010 mm |
| Wettest month | June (420 mm) |
| Driest month | January (44 mm) |
| Mean daily high | 21.3 °C |
| Mean overnight low | 12.5 °C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ocha No Kajihara located?
Ocha No Kajihara is in Kumamoto, Japan, at coordinates 32.2643, 130.5764, at an elevation of about 178 metres.
Who operates Ocha No Kajihara?
Ocha No Kajihara is operated by Ocha No Kajihara, according to public supply-chain records.
What type of tea does Ocha No Kajihara produce?
Ocha No Kajihara is recorded as producing green tea.
What certifications does Ocha No Kajihara hold?
Ocha No Kajihara is recorded as holding the following certification(s): Ethical Tea Partnership.
How much rain does Ocha No Kajihara receive?
ERA5 reanalysis data for the estate's coordinates recorded 2,010 mm of precipitation in 2025, peaking in June (420 mm).
Data sources: public supply-chain disclosures (Ethical Tea Partnership member lists, Rainforest Alliance certificate holders and retailer supplier disclosures); climate figures are ERA5 reanalysis modelled for the estate’s coordinates via Open-Meteo (calendar year 2025); coordinates and elevations from geocoded records. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
