Reconnect with the Natural World with Zazen Meditation and Tea Crafted from Local Forest Herbs at the Foot of Mt. Fuji

Discover a Quiet Space Just Minutes from the Gateway to Mt. Fuji

The small city of Fujiyoshida has been one of the principal gateways to Mt. Fuji since ancient times, and with convenient train access to Tokyo, it is more popular than ever these days. And yet, with a little help from knowledgeable locals, it is still possible to experience the grandeur of Mt. Fuji and the beauty of the lands around it in peace, harmony, and comfort.

Creating more intimate experiences with the local environment was what Takaaki and Miyuki Tagawa had in mind when they opened their herbal tea shop kinoca in 2025. Along with developing unique tea varieties made using plants and herbs gathered from the surrounding forests, they began to develop health and wellness programs designed to reconnect people with nature and foster a greater sense of community including locals and visitors alike.

To guide you to the perfect spot, your hosts from kinoca will meet you upon your arrival at Mt. Fuji train station in Fujiyoshida. To reach your hidden haven in the forest takes just 20 minutes by taxi, but as soon as you arrive, it will feel like you have stepped into an entirely different world (please pay the taxi fare directly on site).

Japanese Herbal Teas that Spring from the Forest Itself to Nourish Body and Mind

From the moment you leave the road behind and enter the forest with your host, you will notice the ground grow softer underfoot, the breeze rustling through the trees, and a general sense of things growing and changing with the seasons. You may also notice a change in yourself. Such peaceful surroundings have a naturally calming effect, with the cares of the modern world put aside for a time.

As you stroll along, your host will introduce you to some of the natural herbs and plants used to create kinoca’s unique range of herbal teas. Many of these are gathered from the forest itself, with aromatic and nutritious ingredients drawn from everything from hinoki (cypress), elderberry, and kuromoji (Japanese spicebush) to urajiro-momi (Nikko fir tree) and akamatsu (red pine) for flavors that are as unique as they are delicious.

Reconnect with a Zazen Seated Meditation in a Peaceful Forest Clearing

Having been introduced to the bounty of the natural world around you, you will then have the opportunity to stop and reflect with a zazen seated meditation. In keeping with traditional practice, this meditation will be led by a monk from a local temple who will not only guide you through the process but also explain the intention behind this timeless way of stilling the body in order to focus the mind.

Your zazen meditation will be held in a peaceful clearing that opens up within the forest to provide majestic views of Mt. Fuji rising up above the trees. It is an ideal backdrop to this experience, given the many centuries of mountain worship that have persisted in Japan since ancient times and continue through the country’s reverence of natural beauty to this day. 

Experience the Unique Aromas and Flavors of Locally-Inspired Japanese Herbal Teas

With mind and body fully focused on the natural world, you will be in just the right mindset to enjoy a private tasting of kinoca’s unique range of locally-inspired herbal teas. This will take place in the same clearing as your zazen meditation, making for a smooth transition into this central part of the experience.

The tea shop’s current selection includes 6 original Japanese herbal teas: Hanatsu, Komoru, Haeru, Utsurou, Cha, and Chai Leaf. Each is bestowed with a unique and meticulously-selected blend of ingredients, many of which were gathered in local forests, based on the region’s long traditions of foraging for nourishment within nature itself.

Ease yourself into the tasting gradually as you enjoy four of these six different varieties, taking time to appreciate the unique flavor, color, and aroma of each. As you sip the tea, glance upward past the trees towards Mt. Fuji to remind yourself of where you are and what that means to you. Seasonal sweets will be served alongside to complement your drinking of the teas.

Gain Insight into the Importance of Nature, Wellness, and Community in Japan

In Japan, as in many highly-urbanized societies today, people are reevaluating the importance of personal wellness, community connections, and the importance of nature to their lives. The Tagawas themselves made a conscious decision to move to Fujiyoshida and open kinoca in pursuit of a better balance for their family and a desire to share this unique place with people from around the world.

After your time in the forest near the foot of Mt. Fuji, you will join your host at the kinoca tea shop. Situated in Fujiyoshida, kinoca’s stylish interior centers around a petite wooden counter designed just right for warm conversations over tea. If you would like, you can pull up a chair and enjoy a cup or two while you reflect on your day (additional fees apply, please pay on site). You can also purchase packages of their unique herbal tea blends to enjoy at home or give to friends and family.