Kawagoe is famed for sweet potatoes. But did you know its also the home of Sayama Tea? This is why there are so many shops in the tourist district of Kawagoe that sell green tea flavored goodies. Nagamine-en, although only seven years old, is perhaps the most famous of them all.
Nagamine-en
The green tea specialty store sells dozens of green tea produce made from their green tea plantation of the same name. The plantation grows Sayama tea nearby in the neighboring city of Tsurugashima. Nagamine-en is a shop on the first floor with green tea café Sayama Cha Café Wahouan above on the second floor. The building is beautiful. It is done in the old Edo style with a wooden front and sliding door entrance. They sell a variety of green tea confectionary, even green tea cola! Its a great place to pick up some souvenirs for any green tea lovers.
The shop is open seven days a week from 9.30 am to 6 pm, but please do always check with the official site for any last minute changes due to weather or other mitigating factors. I find in Kawagoe in particular, shops randomly take an hour or two off here and there without advance notice!
