Tea leaf picking event held in Nishio, Aichi Pref. during the ’88th Day of Spring’ event; New leaves thought to promote longevity

NISHIO, Aichi – An event marking “the 88th day since the first day of spring” was held in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture on Wednesday.

Nishio is known as a production center of powdered green tea known as matcha.

During the event, women in kasuri kimono hand-picked new tea leaves.

The leaves picked on the 88th day since the first day of spring are considered high-quality. The belief that drinking tea from leaves picked on that day promotes longevity has existed for years.

According to the Nishio City Tea Association, tea leaves are growing well this year thanks to little damage from frost in March and good weather with moderate rainfall in April.