Photo/Illutration A woman enjoys tea as she is perched on the edge of the "Tenku no Chanoma" terrace installed on a tea plantation in Shizuoka's Shimizu Ward, overlooking Mount Fuji. (Toshiyuki Hayashi)

SHIZUOKA--A wooden terrace sits overhanging a steep slope on a mountain in the middle of tea plantations in the city's Shimizu Ward.

Living up to its name, "Tenku no Chanoma," or "Tearoom in the sky," the deck seems to be floating in the air and offers a panoramic view of surrounding mountains.

The terrace is said to be situated at a height of 350 meters. But it feels higher than that because there are no obstacles blocking the view.

It provides an overlooking view of tea plantations in the Ryogochi district against the backdrop of a snow-capped Mount Fuji.

The terrace is rented out to one group for 90 minutes for 3,000 yen ($26.40) per person (5,000 yen in the early morning), which includes a set of two varieties of tea and a light refreshment.

A guide will accompany guests to the terrace, explain about tea leaves and teach them how to brew tea, but otherwise they will be left alone to enjoy a quiet time.

The service started in May 2019, limited to three groups with reservations per day.

It created a buzz online after visitors shared photos of the location on social media. Currently, reservations are almost fully booked three months in advance.

"I never imagined it would be so popular like this," said Kyoka Suzuki, 28, who works for Aobeat Inc., based in Aoi Ward.

The company is in charge of the operation and management of the terrace with tea farmer Hokoen, the owner of the tea plantation on which the deck is installed.

Young women account for more than half of the visitors, with many of them visiting the site in groups or as couples.

But some people are attracted to the location with great views of the tea plantations and Japan's tallest peak to take their wedding photos, according to Suzuki.

The "tearoom" is aimed at providing an opportunity for guests to be exposed to the charms of tea.

The fact that it draws younger generations who drink tea less frequently serves its purpose, she added.

Visitors are seen spending their leisure time, enjoying a picnic with bento boxed lunches, taking photos and reading books.

"It's all right to come here just to take photos that look great on social media," Suzuki continued. "We'd be happy if they can learn the charms of tea even if only slightly."

To get to Hokoen, where visitors are required to sign in, it takes 30 minutes by car from the Shimizu Interchange on the Tomei Expressway or 25 minutes from the Shimizu-Ihara Interchange on the Shin-Tomei Expressway. The terrace is located 10 minutes by car and five minutes on foot via a winding steep slope.

Casual attire is recommended.

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