Near Kirishima's large active volcanoes Takachino and Karakuni, one finds the Nishi Highland tea fields. It is an area of the prefecture of Kagoshima which enjoys ideal climatic conditions for growing green tea, where the dew is intense, morning and evening, while the daytime hours offer ample amounts of direct sunlight. The mountain fields lay staggered by other settlements, including forest and other fields. 

The tea plantation is run by the third generation in the family company, Toshimi Nishi. Under his meticulous attention and direction, the Nishi family produce an insistent, and flavorful green tea that they are known for in Japan.   

Nishi's lots are among the first tea fields in Japan to achieve the demanding Organic certification "JAS", over 20 years ago. Their cultivation techniques and overall agricultural philosophy are not only Ecologically oriented but also biodynamically engaged. The border areas around their tea fields are planted with bamboo and cedar trees, to completely close off the influence of neighboring fields.

To give extra nourishment to the tea trees, various useful plants are cultivated between the rows, especially herbs. As nitrogen fertilizer, an organic compost is used, that is made for them by local farmers. 

From their pristine mountain terroir at 450m altitude, Toshimi Nishi and his family produce an incredibly tasteful and complex green tea. In Japan, their tea is distributed to tea dealers all over the country, where especially their Asatsuyu Sencha stands out in popularity, for its special character of green beans and cocoa powder. Toshimi Nishi has won several awards for his Sencha in national tea competitions, including the Tennô award.