Kazuya Matsumoto (Sakuranoen)

  • Producer: Kazuya Matsumoto
  • Production area: Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture
  • Main product: Tea
  • No pesticides used
  • Fertilizer use: None (some fields use vegetable fertilizer)

Switching to natural cultivation
The first great-grandfather was the first to cultivate indigenous tea on a large scale in Minamata. Kazuya was the first to do so without pesticides. After receiving training and returning to his hometown, Kazuya sprayed pesticides as he was told, but he began to have doubts about the fact that the damage caused by insects was not going away even after spraying the pesticides.
Considering the impact on the environment and people, as well as the need for water to apply pesticides and the burden of carrying heavy liquids while working, wouldn't it be more efficient to use no pesticides? That's why we decided to take on the challenge.
Since then, the practice has gradually expanded, and now they have succeeded in cultivating crops without the use of any pesticides whatsoever.

The possibilities of tea
 Originally, there were many native tea varieties in Minamata, but they are now in decline.
"I feel a sense of crisis in today's world where people don't have a teapot at home."
Matsumoto-san was saying.

Sakuranoen tea is now highly regarded not only in Japan but also overseas.
They cultivate native varieties, Yabukita, Sayamakaori, and Benifuuki, and while enjoying discovering new possibilities for tea leaves, they work on developing new products every day and travel around the country holding tasting events to spread the word about delicious tea.

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