WELCOME TO CHIRAN

Your Next Stop In Your Japanese Tea Journey

Chiran has a long history with IKKYU founders. It was just after their first visit in EI, one of Chiran’s area that Aldo & Joëlle felt in love with the region, its beautiful scenery, welcoming people….and wonderful tea. It was the spark that decided them to dedicate all their energy on promoting Kyushu’s wonderful teas.

Through a set of amazing encounters they were introduced to the several producers as well to the Minami Kyushu tea association and started to work together in order to promote their teas.

First working as export advisors, Aldo & Joëlle decided to further develop the area and make it known to the world. After creating the Chiran Tea logo as well as this website dedicated to Chiran Tea they also extended their deep love and knowledge of Kyushu Teas by founding IKKYU Tea. From the start Chiran teas were among the bestsellers, and the vibrant green of their leaves and tea fields will always have a special place in their hearts.

EI, Chiran 2014

Literally our first steps into the realms of green tea with Joëlle and our son in the middle of the tea fields…

CHIRAN, WHERE IS IT ?

South…South West

Chiran is located at the south-western of Kyushu, one of the four main regions of Japan.

Thanks to its southern location, this area enjoys the earliest first tea picking of the country, with delicious “Shincha” (new tea) available already from March.

Thanks to its more clement weather and the proximity of several active volcanoes, the tea grown in this area has a distinctive quality that is celebrated all throughout Japan.

Several cultivars that are very sensitive to cold can be grown successfully only in that area. In a general way Chiran Teas tend to be more sweet compared to other regions.

FIRST HARVEST

A Special Climate

Chiran tea is exceptional thanks to the remarkable combination of the unique geography and climate of Minamikyushu area. Earth, water, wind: all elements have come together in this region to create different tea cultivars of the highest quality.

Chiran tea trees thrive between the sea and steep mountains, under the shadow of active volcanoes, in a warm and humid climate where Southern Pacific winds blow steadily. Because of this mild climate, Chiran’s Shincha (first harvest) is the first in Japan, almost one month before other regions of Japan.

MINAMI-KYUSHU

Over 600 tea producers

Minami-kyushu City was established in December, 2007. At the same time, Minami-kyushu city became the city producing the largest quantity of green tea in Japan, with a history of green tea production going back 350 years. The current area of tea plantation is 3,421 ha (same size as 727 Tokyo Domes), with 613 tea producers, and 104 tea factories. These factories produce approx. 11,700 tons of Aracha (crude tea) per year (16% of domestic share) for a value of approx. 8.9 billion yen.

Furthermore, the city has been awarded a number of notable prizes every year in various competitions nationwide and in Kagoshima Prefecture, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries and Area Prize. All producers are actively involved in GAP, ISO, Organic JAS, and many other third-party certifications to secure the safety of tea products and quality control of the entire process.

A total of 80 tea factories have already received these certifications. Minami-kyushu city is expected to play very important role for the promotion of Japanese green tea overseas.”

DISCOVER CHIRAN

Between earth, sea and fire

Nested between the sea and the mountains, under clear blue skies and shining with the deep green of tea fields, Chiran boasts an incredible scenery that will please all your senses and makes your stay unforgettable.

Wherever you are, with each sip of Chiran tea, you, too, can travel to this inspiring landscape and feel its beauty.