One of the most important days for Japanese tea is Hachiju-hachiya (literally, “eighty-eighth night”). It is a movable feast, and decided according to the traditional Japanese calendar.
traditional tea-pickers costume |
What is so special?
It is believed that drinking green tea made from tea leaves picked on Hachiju-hachiya will bring you good health for the year. So, tea on the day is like “good luck tea”.
Tea festivals are annually held at tea-producing areas including Kyoto and Shizuoka on the day. Full-blown tea season is just kicked off!