Obuchi Sasaba

Obuchi Sasaba sits on the southern foothills of Mount Fuji in Fuji City, where rows of working tea fields spread across gentle slopes with the mountain rising cleanly behind them. It is especially loved by photographers because the view is one of the rare tea plantation scenes around Fuji where power lines do not cut through the frame. 

This is not a staged tourist garden, but a real tea-growing landscape cared for by local farmers and the Obuchi Sasaba Preservation Association. The fields were restored through local conservation efforts, turning a fading rural scene back into one of Shizuoka’s most recognizable views of tea culture and Mount Fuji. 

The best time to feel its beauty is from late April into May, when the fresh tea leaves turn a vivid green and the remaining snow on Fuji adds a sharp, seasonal contrast. Visitors can walk along designated paths, enjoy the quiet satoyama [里山] atmosphere, and stop by the small shop for local tea, tastings, and simple souvenirs when it is open. 

For photography, come early in the morning when the air is clearer and Mount Fuji is more likely to be visible before clouds gather. Stay on the marked paths, avoid entering the tea fields, and treat the area with care, since it is both a scenic viewpoint and someone’s place of work. Personal photography is generally allowed, while commercial shoots and drone use require prior approval. 

The site features a small tea shop where local producers offer complimentary tastings of freshly harvested green tea and sell premium tea products unique to this plantation. Free parking and clean restroom facilities make visiting convenient, though the narrow access roads require careful navigation as they operate as one-way streets in certain sections.