Birthplace of Nagatani Soen

In 1738, Nagatani Soen, inspired by the encha method intoduced by Ingen Zenji, invented the unique Uji-cha production method known as aosei sencha seiho in Yuyadani, Ujitawara Town, He steamed freshly picked tea leaves and hand-kneaded them over a hoiro drying table to dry the leaves. This prosess imbued sencha with excellent color , aroma, and flavor. In the birthplace of Soen, the father of Japanese sencha , a hoiro drying table has been preserved as it was during that era. Nearby, the Chasomyo Shrine was built in honoe of Soen.