Wazuka Town Tourist Information Center and Green Slow Mobility Tour
Wazuka Town Tourist Information Center
The Wazuka Town Tourist Information Center is an ideal first stop for visitors to obtain maps, pamphlets, and advice that may prove helpful when exploring Wazuka. The center is conveniently located on the town’s main road and offers a scenic view of the Kamatsuka Tea Plantation in the hills behind the facility. Inside, there are display racks full of information about sightseeing spots, experience workshops, restaurants, events, and more. Information is primarily in Japanese, but some sources are available in English, Chinese, and Korean. Staff are present at the counter to answer visitors’ questions. (Language assistance is available via machine translation apps.)
Bicycle rentals are available for those interested in getting a more intimate view of Wazuka’s green, tea-covered hills. Bikes can be rented between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; the cost is ¥1,100.
The center has a small shop that sells locally grown green tea and tea products. Some of the goods, including the tote bag and tenugui cloth, are exclusive to the Wazuka Town Tourist Information Center.
“Guchamo” Green Slow Mobility Tour
The Wazuka Town Tourist Information Center is the starting point for one of Wazuka’s environmentally friendly tourism initiatives: the Green Slow Mobility Tour. This tour takes visitors to the famous Ishitera Tea Plantation area and back in an eco-friendly vehicle driven by a knowledgeable guide who will explain the history of Wazuka, the characteristics of Wazuka tea, and the work involved in cultivating the plants throughout the year. Tour guests can visit local shops that are off the beaten path, depending on the course. The electric utility vehicle—nicknamed Guchamo for the first syllables of the Japanese words for “green,” “tea,” and “mobility”—carries tour guests along the narrow roads that wind through the tea fields, providing a close-up look at the tea plants and scenic views of ancient burial mounds and the surrounding landscape.
Reservations may be made by phone (Japanese only) in advance or on the day if there is availability. Tours last approximately 70 minutes and run from March through November on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Four time slots are available each day: 9:40 a.m. to 10:55 a.m., 11:10 a.m. to 12:25 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. to 4:10 p.m. The Green Slow Mobility Tour costs ¥1,000 for adults and ¥500 for children (elementary school or younger). Visitors who come to Wazuka via Nara Kotsu bus receive a discount, so please present proof of boarding before payment. After the tour is finished, each visitor receives a small participation gift. As there are only two Guchamo vehicles, the tour can take a maximum of seven guests on Sundays and four on Saturdays and holidays.
Access
From the Nakawazuka or Wazuka Kawahara bus stop, walk approximately 2 minutes toward the green signboard. Parking is available for cars and bicycles.