信州の最南端、愛知県・静岡県との県境に、山林が９割以上を占める“天龍村”があります。村の山道をさらに奥に進んでいくと、山の急斜面に突如ひすい色の茶畑が現れます。そここそが秘境“中井侍”地区です。
中井侍の茶畑は高低差365ｍ、平均斜度27度の急斜面にあり、眼下に雄大な天竜川を望む茶畑からの景色は言葉では表せないほど美しく圧巻です。中井侍には秘境駅として知られる「中井侍駅」（JR飯田線）もあり、この美しい茶畑を一目見てみたいと毎年多くの人々が訪れます。

In the southernmost part of Shinshu, bordering Aichi and Shizuoka Prefectures, lies the village of Tenryu, where over 90% of the area is covered by forests. Venturing further along the mountain paths of the village, you will suddenly come across tea fields with a striking jade-green hue, clinging to steep slopes. This is the secluded Nakai Samurai district. The tea fields in Nakai Samurai are situated on steep slopes with a vertical drop of 365 meters and an average incline of 27 degrees. From these tea fields, you can enjoy a breathtaking, indescribable view of the majestic Tenryu River below. The district is also home to Nakai Samurai Station on the JR Iida Line, known as a hidden gem of railway stations. Every year, numerous visitors come to witness the stunning beauty of these tea fields firsthand.

中井侍銘茶 – Nakai Samurai Premium Tea

中井侍地区には11軒の茶農家で構成される「中井侍生産者組合」があり、こだわり抜いて栽培した茶葉を地区内にある「中井侍製茶工場」で製茶しています。この希少な茶葉のみに「中井侍銘茶」の称号が与えられます。

In the Nakai Samurai district, there is the “Nakai Samurai Producers’ Association,” comprised of 11 tea farming households. They meticulously cultivate tea leaves, which are then processed at the “Nakai Samurai Tea Factory” located within the district. Only these rare and exceptional tea leaves are granted the prestigious title of “Nakai Samurai Premium Tea.”

天竜川がもたらす深く繊細な味わい – The Deep and Delicate Flavor Brought by the Tenryu River

中井侍の茶畑は、天竜川の清流が生み出す神秘の朝霧に包まれます。この幻想的な光景はお茶の味わいにも大きな影響を及ぼします。中井侍はお茶の栽培地の北限に位置しますが、標高が高く四方を山に囲まれているため日照時間が極端に短い環境にあります。そのため通常のお茶に比べタンニン（苦味成分）の生成が抑えられ、まるで玉露のような深い香りと味わいが生み出されるのです。過酷な自然条件の中で必死に育ったこの茶葉には、他では味わえない個性が宿っています。

The tea fields of Nakai Samurai are enveloped by the mystical morning mist created by the pure, flowing waters of the Tenryu River. This enchanting phenomenon greatly influences the flavor of the tea. Though Nakai Samurai marks the northernmost boundary for tea cultivation, its high altitude and mountainous surroundings result in an environment with significantly limited sunlight. As a result, the production of tannins (responsible for bitterness) is naturally suppressed, yielding tea with a deep aroma and flavor reminiscent of Gyokuro. These tea leaves, grown with perseverance in such harsh natural conditions, possess a unique character that cannot be found anywhere else.

熟練の茶摘み職人が茶葉を選り抜く- Skilled Tea-Picking Artisans Carefully Select the Tea Leaves

中井侍の茶畑は、険しい傾斜にへばり付くように広がっています。そのため大型機械を使うことができず、草刈りや摘採などの工程がすべて手作業で行われます。それは「お茶摘み」も同様で、熟練の茶摘み職人たちが腰に籠を吊るし、目と指先の感覚を頼りに丁寧に葉を摘み取ります。機械では決して真似のできないこの繊細なお茶摘みが、質の高い茶葉を選り抜くのです。

The tea fields of Nakai Samurai stretch across steep slopes, clinging to the rugged terrain. Because of this, large machinery cannot be used, and every step of the process—such as weeding and harvesting—is carried out entirely by hand. The same applies to tea picking, where skilled tea-picking artisans hang baskets around their waists and carefully pluck the leaves, relying on their keen senses of sight and touch. This meticulous hand-picking process, impossible to replicate with machines, ensures that only the highest-quality tea leaves are selected.

農薬や化学肥料を一切使用しないお茶づくり – Tea Cultivation Without the Use of Pesticides or Chemical Fertilizers

「お茶づくりを始めてから、肥料は山の落ち葉しか入れたことがないよ」これが中井侍の“普通”なんです。中井侍の気候が害虫と益虫のバランスを絶妙に保ち、農薬を使用せずともお茶はすくすく育ちます。中井侍の茶農家は、自然の力を借りて茶葉を育んでいるのです。

“We’ve only ever used fallen leaves from the mountains as fertilizer since we started growing tea.” This is simply the “normal” way of doing things in Nakai Samurai. The unique climate of Nakai Samurai maintains a perfect balance between harmful and beneficial insects, allowing tea plants to thrive without the need for pesticides. Tea farmers in Nakai Samurai cultivate their tea leaves by harnessing the power of nature.

最大の特徴は“浅蒸し” – The Key Feature: “Lightly Steamed”

「極浅蒸し茶」であるということが、中井侍銘茶の最大の特徴です。一般的な「深蒸し茶」は1～3分蒸されますが、中井侍銘茶の蒸し時間はわずか20秒。これにより茶葉の形が保たれ美しく仕上がります。出来上がった茶葉はお湯を注ぐとまるで花が咲くようにふわりと広がり、淡い黄緑色の美しいお茶が現れます。「淡い色だから味も薄いのかな？」と思われるかもしれませんが、一口飲むとその豊かな味わいに驚かされるはずです。柔らかい香り、まろやかな口当たり、そして渋みがほとんどない上品な甘みが広がり、飲んだ後も余韻が続きます。

The defining feature of Nakai Samurai Premium Tea is that it is a “lightly steamed tea” . While typical deep-steamed teas are steamed for 1 to 3 minutes, Nakai Samurai Premium Tea is steamed for only 20 seconds. This brief steaming process preserves the tea leaves’ shape, resulting in a beautifully finished product. When hot water is poured over the finished leaves, they gently unfurl like blooming flowers, releasing a pale, light green tea. You might wonder, “Does the light color mean the flavor is weak?” However, one sip will surprise you with its rich and complex taste. The tea offers a delicate aroma, a smooth and mellow texture, and a refined sweetness with almost no astringency, leaving a lasting and delightful aftertaste.

Shupon Capと中井侍銘茶の邂逅 – The Encounter of Shupon Cap and Nakai Samurai Premium Tea

「この希少な茶葉の全てをペットボトル飲料として味わっていただくためにどうしたらいいか」これが私たちMAKIBITOの課題でした。そんな時に出会ったのが、信州松本で２０年以上の歳月をかけてShupon Capを開発・完成させた株式会社シュポンラボ代表の牧田正行氏でした。牧田氏のとことんこだわり抜く熱い想いと積み重ねられた研究実績が、他に類をみない奇跡のキャップを産んだのです。

「中井侍銘茶　product by MAKIBOTO」は、お飲みいただく直前に茶葉を投入しますので、酸化防止剤など添加物は一切使用していません。 ShuponCapは茶葉充填部分の特殊加工により鮮度をしっかり守ります。中井侍銘茶のすべてを存分におたのしみください。

“How can we ensure that everyone can fully enjoy the flavor of these rare tea leaves in a bottled beverage?” This was our challenge at MAKIBITO. It was during this pursuit that we met Mr. Masayuki Makita, the president of Shupon Lab, a company in Shinshu Matsumoto that spent over 20 years developing and perfecting the revolutionary Shupon Cap. Mr. Makita’s unwavering dedication and extensive research culminated in the creation of an unparalleled, groundbreaking cap. With “Nakai Samurai Premium Tea – product by MAKIBITO,” the tea leaves are added just before consumption, allowing us to completely eliminate additives such as antioxidants. The Shupon Cap, with its specially processed compartment for tea leaves, ensures optimal freshness. Indulge in the full essence of Nakai Samurai Premium Tea to your heart’s content.