Tours & experiences
Hidden Gem Saranti Tea Farm Tour – Private Group Tour
Visit us to experience the beautiful, breathtaking, and unforgettable private tea farms in the mountain and a local tea processing factory in Shizuoka Prefecture!
Duration: 2.5 hours
Place: Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Hidden Gem Tea Farm and Stylish Cafe Tour with Matcha Gelato – Private Group Tour
Experience the breathtaking and unforgettable private tea farms, a local tea processing factory, and stylish tea cafes. Brew your own cup of tea, taste Matcha gelato, and feel the blend of nature and city-Shizuoka City.
Duration: 6 hours
Place: Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Please note that booking generally opens 2 months in advance of the tour month. Feel free to message us to check availability for dates within the next two months that are not shown on the calendar.
Each tour offers a group tour option that welcomes solo participants. We keep the group size small to ensure a relaxed and fun experience. It might be a great opportunity to meet fellow tea lovers, travelers, or locals!
Here are the upcoming group tours. Check out EVENTS for more tours.
Arigato for your interest in our tours!
Akito Ohashi
Founder of Tea Cup Trip
About Shizuoka Prefecture
Home to Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, and Suruga Bay, Japan’s deepest sea, Shizuoka Prefecture is blessed with rich and diverse nature, geography, climate, and traditions. Its rich terroir offers authentic and fresh Japanese food and Japanese tea. The prefectural capital, Shizuoka City, is the perfect blend of nature and city and allows you to experience the slow and genuine Japanese lifestyle.
About Shizuoka Tea
With a long history of tea developed by Zen monks, samurai, and tea masters, Shizuoka Prefecture has over 20 distinctive tea regions, which account for about 40% of Japan’s tea production. It also plays a significant role as a distribution center for Japanese tea. About 60% of the tea produced in the country is gathered in Shizuoka City’s Tea Town, refined by skilled tea masters, and distributed throughout the country. Furthermore, The modern tea cafes near Shizuoka Station, more akin to stylish coffee shops, make this city a one-of-a-kind place to experience all things tea: the farms, the processing, the traditions, and the latest trends in consumption.
How to get to Shizuoka City
Located on the Golden Route connecting Tokyo with famous cities such as Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka, Shizuoka Station is only 60 minutes from Tokyo Station and 90 minutes from Kyoto Station by Shinkansen bullet train. With such easy access, you can make a day trip from Tokyo or stop off on your way from Tokyo to Kyoto. Plus, if you have a JR Rail Pass, you can get to the station from other JR stations at no extra cost.
Many travelers pass through the station without realizing the beauty of this place. Why not take some time away from the hustle and bustle of big cities or popular rural destinations to relax?
Visit the Official Shizuoka City Tourism website for more information on how to reach JR Shizuoka Station.
Google Maps is helpful to plan your travel, finding specific route options and travel times whether via public transportation or car.
Based on 40 reviews
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This was our absolute favorite tour during our trip to Japan. After taking an easy bullet train ride from Tokyo, Akito crafted a very thoughtful and engaging set of experiences to appreciate Japanese tea and farming, and was a wonderful host for the day. Whether you are new to tea or love a cup of high quality green tea, there is something for everyone to enjoy. My wife and I love green tea and have learned a lot about it, and we still learned many new insights from Akito, he is a true expert and has rich knowledge to share both about tea and Japanese culture. On top of this, Akito's tasting selections were truly delicious and unique. We highly recommend this excursion for anyone's trip to Japan.
This was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Japan! The green tea fields were stunning, and the views were simply breathtaking – we even had the chance to see Mt. Fuji in the distance. Not only did we learn so much about tea—its characteristics, harvest, production, and sales—but we also had the opportunity to taste various types. We learned how to distinguish each tea by its flavor, appearance, and origin. To top it off, we enjoyed several traditional Japanese sweets and had an incredible meal at a local restaurant, where the fish was unbelievably fresh. Our guide, Akito, was amazing. He shared his knowledge of tea and Japanese culture with such enthusiasm, and his excellent English made everything so much more enjoyable. He was genuinely kind and attentive, making the experience even more memorable. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the chance to do this. The tour was worth every penny and truly felt like a hidden gem. I loved every moment of it!
My friend and I from the United States spent the afternoon today with Akito who is extremely personable and told us everything we could ever possibly want to know about the growing, picking, processing and selling of the tea on this beautiful farm. The sampling was very helpful and we each ended up purchasing something to take home to share.
We made a detour to Shizuoka for this tour and it was worth it. Akito gave a deep dive on appreciating Japanese tea & shared about the tea industry. He’s knowledgeable and willing to share. TQ!
The tour takes you through the process of creating Japanese tea leaves. It was led by a friendly and passionate tour guide Akito.
Leading up to the tour, Akito communicate very well how the tour would work including logistics on how to be picked up. You will not have to worry about anything including getting back to the station.
The tour was exceptional and beautiful. We were able to see the tea fields and then learned about the full process and supply chain of Japanese tea leaves.
Afterwards, Akito made us different teas and showed us the factory where they process to store the tea.
If you want to learn about the different ways tea gets their profile or even the logistic of making, selling, and the tea leaf economy, this tour is for you
Leading up to the tour, Akito communicate very well how the tour would work including logistics on how to be picked up. You will not have to worry about anything including getting back to the station.
The tour was exceptional and beautiful. We were able to see the tea fields and then learned about the full process and supply chain of Japanese tea leaves.
Afterwards, Akito made us different teas and showed us the factory where they process to store the tea.
If you want to learn about the different ways tea gets their profile or even the logistic of making, selling, and the tea leaf economy, this tour is for you
akito is a very approachable guide! it felt nice because it was a person to person exchange, and you get to actually learn from the farmer's perspective (and even a chance to talk and learn more from actual farmers when you see them!)
thoroughly enjoyed the tour and how there were ample photo taking opportunities. also appreciated how detailed the tea tasting session was. should definitely give this a chance if you're interested in tea 🙂
thoroughly enjoyed the tour and how there were ample photo taking opportunities. also appreciated how detailed the tea tasting session was. should definitely give this a chance if you're interested in tea 🙂
This tour was the highlight of our trip to Japan. Akito’s love for tea left us inspired and eager to come back. We can’t recommend this experience enough!
Akito showed us tea farms fields and explained us everything about shizuoka tea culture; we also had a very pleasant and interesting degustation, visited the tea factory with the different process
He is a very nice person with a big heart and we are so glad that we decided to plan this tour with him
So if u come near Shizuoka, it is a Must Do !
Thank you again Akito
He is a very nice person with a big heart and we are so glad that we decided to plan this tour with him
So if u come near Shizuoka, it is a Must Do !
Thank you again Akito
Such an amazing day from start to finish- Akito was on time, super friendly and filled to the brim with interesting facts. The tea farms are picturesque and a great spot to enjoy fresh tea, and the factory portion of the tour was fascinating and really informative. Highly recommend to anyone visiting Shizuoka (or even just passing through!).
We had such a fantastic tea tour with Akito in Shizuoka! The tour is well diversified, from tea fields to tea factory, through lunch and multiple tastings, we had an amazing time!! Akito is super knowledgeable and really showcased his (tea) region. I can't wait to be back and explore it more! Book with no hesitation! Thank you Akito!
If you're passionate about tea or local food culture, I highly recommend traveling to Shizuoka Prefecture and connecting with Akito Ohashi through his Tea Cup Tours. Akito is a true tea ambassador, with extensive knowledge of every aspect of the tea-making process—from cultivation to consumption. Moreover, he is one of the nicest and most engaging individuals you could meet.
As a fellow entrepreneur, it was thrilling to witness the innovative spirit in Shizuoka, often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of Japanese Tea." Akito's connections in the local community enriched our experience, and seeing the entrepreneurial efforts in the region was a highlight.
Luckily, we got to experience the tea fields on a foggy, rainy day after the first harvest, surrounded by wild mandarin plants. This added a mystical and lush green atmosphere to the tour. It was like experiencing an immersive interpretation of Basho's famous haiku about the Shizuoka road.
Akito tailored his explanations to our level and interests, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. He also provided a deep understanding of Japanese agriculture and culture.
My only regret is not buying more shincha from Akito directly. The quality of his tea is unparalleled compared to what I can get in Europe. Be smart and make room for buying a lot.
Superb host, fascinating trip. Highly recommended!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FqI_ryRZg/
As a fellow entrepreneur, it was thrilling to witness the innovative spirit in Shizuoka, often referred to as the "Silicon Valley of Japanese Tea." Akito's connections in the local community enriched our experience, and seeing the entrepreneurial efforts in the region was a highlight.
Luckily, we got to experience the tea fields on a foggy, rainy day after the first harvest, surrounded by wild mandarin plants. This added a mystical and lush green atmosphere to the tour. It was like experiencing an immersive interpretation of Basho's famous haiku about the Shizuoka road.
Akito tailored his explanations to our level and interests, making the experience both educational and enjoyable. He also provided a deep understanding of Japanese agriculture and culture.
My only regret is not buying more shincha from Akito directly. The quality of his tea is unparalleled compared to what I can get in Europe. Be smart and make room for buying a lot.
Superb host, fascinating trip. Highly recommended!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7FqI_ryRZg/
Akito provided us with an insightful, educational and very personal tea experience. He is far from a “tour guide” ( although the afternoon went like clockwork) as tea farming is in his childhood, his family …and obviously in his heart!
If you want to really find out about tea in Japan, TeaCupTrip is for you. It’s not something tricked up for tourists….it is the real deal!
If you want to really find out about tea in Japan, TeaCupTrip is for you. It’s not something tricked up for tourists….it is the real deal!
This is one of the best things I did while in Japan. Akito was kind, informative and planned a very unique and fun day for us. The location of the tea field is picturesque and breathtaking. We tasted and learned about many different type of teas. After the tour I hung around in downtown for a bit as there are many cute shops and cafes. Thank you Akito for this amazing experience.
Akito is a vast wealth of knowledge, and truly exceptional guide. The entire tour felt like a green magic carpet ride 🍵
From tea farm to tea garden, traversing the beautiful Shizuoka countryside and trying so many wonderful delicacies - the entire experience was unforgettable!
From tea farm to tea garden, traversing the beautiful Shizuoka countryside and trying so many wonderful delicacies - the entire experience was unforgettable!
Akito was very knowledgeable about tea and gave a great background on how tea is made. It was very cool to see the tea plants and factory!
Absolutely amazing experience! Akito shared so much in such a short time. One the best experiences of local cultural understanding I have ever had. We will carry our better understanding of Japanese tea home with us for a lifetime. Thank you Akito.
We had an incredible experience with Akito, there are not enough words to describe how this experience completely surpassed our already high expectations about the Japanese Tea world. Akito's work inside the tea ecosystem in Shizuoka is completely fascinating, he has been able to build experiences that are truly unique. From beautiful tea farm landscapes to the best tea tasting, you'll see everything about the tea world in Japan. And of course, the highlight of the tour is Akito himself, what a pleasure to meet him, his passion and ikigai around the tea world is just admirable. Would take this tour on every trip to Japan, this is a real gem and a must if you visit Japan. Thank you Akito for your kindness and for this unforgettable experience.
You won’t find a more experienced or knowledgeable guide to the world of Japanese tea than Akito! He is patient and kind, has excellent English skills, and a great sense of humor. He perspective as the son and grandson of tea farmers is invaluable. Akito still participates in harvests and is actively engaged in the promotion of the excellent tea produced in Shizuoka. There is much about the history, cultivation, and production of Japanese tea that is misunderstood by people outside Japan. Tea Cup Trip is a singular opportunity for novices and experienced tea lovers alike to learn about one of the worlds finest teas. You won’t find a better place to taste and learn about Japanese green tea.
We enjoyed a lot our tour : it was more than we expected ! The fields were astonishing of beauty, the tea testing and all the explanations on something we thought we already knew were greatly appreciated. The kindness and attention of our guide made this a very special day (april 2023) that we will always remember. Pierre Aubouin and Delphine Queme
We set out to Shizuoka prefecture to learn more about tea, specifically about the work that goes into producing it and the people who make it, and this tour delivers on that!
Akito took us to the Shizuhata tea farm and Saranti factory and walked us through the whole process of production, from the plant to the teacup. He clearly has a deep passion for tea, and was able to answer all of our questions without hesitation, whether about the risks to the plants from weather and climate, the different tea "terroirs", the economic difficulties for farmers selling tea, or even about the international market! And of course, his explanations of the differents steps in the factory process, that emulate the steps of traditional hand-rolling techniques were very clear.
The experience of drinking tea right there in the tea fields was particularly special, experiencing different ways of drinking sencha (cold-brew, multiple infusions of a warm brew and genmaicha), with explanations of the science behind the brewing of tea, and how different method change its flavour profile.
But most important for us was the personal relationship Akito had with all the people at Shizuhata, who he is clearly close to. This is not the kind of tour where you ever feel like you are intruding, or stepping on anyone's toes as they are going through their day. Everyone at Shizuhata was comfortable with Akito's presence and were incredibly welcoming to us! We really enjoyed talking to all of them, especially the immensely personable Kyoko-san.
All in all, a unique experience I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about tea, enjoying wonderful landscapes and meeting some lovely people!
Akito took us to the Shizuhata tea farm and Saranti factory and walked us through the whole process of production, from the plant to the teacup. He clearly has a deep passion for tea, and was able to answer all of our questions without hesitation, whether about the risks to the plants from weather and climate, the different tea "terroirs", the economic difficulties for farmers selling tea, or even about the international market! And of course, his explanations of the differents steps in the factory process, that emulate the steps of traditional hand-rolling techniques were very clear.
The experience of drinking tea right there in the tea fields was particularly special, experiencing different ways of drinking sencha (cold-brew, multiple infusions of a warm brew and genmaicha), with explanations of the science behind the brewing of tea, and how different method change its flavour profile.
But most important for us was the personal relationship Akito had with all the people at Shizuhata, who he is clearly close to. This is not the kind of tour where you ever feel like you are intruding, or stepping on anyone's toes as they are going through their day. Everyone at Shizuhata was comfortable with Akito's presence and were incredibly welcoming to us! We really enjoyed talking to all of them, especially the immensely personable Kyoko-san.
All in all, a unique experience I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about tea, enjoying wonderful landscapes and meeting some lovely people!
The tour was the highlight of our 3 week trip through Japan. Akito is extremely knowledgable and has answered our many questions about tea and Japanese culture in general. We have brought different kinds of green tea with us back to Germany and I would love to come back, soon!
We can recommend this experience without any doubt and have already sent the contact details to several of our friends also travelling to Japan this year.
Our 6 hr tour:
- pick-up from Shizuoka station (we put our large backpacks in coin lockers)
- 20 min drive to the green tea plantation on the mountain side
- amazing view over the tea plantation and an tea ceremony
- visit of the local tea farmers' factory -> we had the great honor of tasting freshly produced tea!
- lunch at a very tasty restaurant with typical Japanese food
- Matcha ice cream and the opportunity for matcha-based sweets
- tea tasting of several different kinds of teas at a modern and stylish tea shop
- learning about pouring green tea correctly at the International foundation for Japanese green tea
- back to Shizuoka train station
We can recommend this experience without any doubt and have already sent the contact details to several of our friends also travelling to Japan this year.
Our 6 hr tour:
- pick-up from Shizuoka station (we put our large backpacks in coin lockers)
- 20 min drive to the green tea plantation on the mountain side
- amazing view over the tea plantation and an tea ceremony
- visit of the local tea farmers' factory -> we had the great honor of tasting freshly produced tea!
- lunch at a very tasty restaurant with typical Japanese food
- Matcha ice cream and the opportunity for matcha-based sweets
- tea tasting of several different kinds of teas at a modern and stylish tea shop
- learning about pouring green tea correctly at the International foundation for Japanese green tea
- back to Shizuoka train station
I fully recommend this tour to anybody with an interest in tea, and who would prefer a genuine personal tour away from tourist trappings. Akito is the perfect guide on a trip that takes you into the mountains with breath-taking scenery to see the tea plantations and factory. His friendliness, knowledge and excellent English combine for a thoroughly enjoyable day to see and learn about this key tea growing area. Akita was also super-helpful with travel directions to and from the visit, which is easily accessible from Tokyo.
What a wonderful tour! Our green tea experience was exceptional and worth every penny. Akito is so passionate and knowledgeable about green tea, extremely well organized and made the tour unforgettable. From the pick up at the station to exploring the plantations, drinking tea together, visiting the local factory and talking about the history and science behind green tea, we got what we were looking for and more. Akito is also full of energy, humour and candor, and you’ll love spending time with him. If you want to explore a deeply authentic place at the heart of Japanese green tea and its farming community, look no further! Shoutout to the green tea factory staff as well who welcomed us so warmly and showed us around.
Cat & Alex
Cat & Alex
It’s my great experience to take Akito’s tour. He’s so knowledgeable and kind. We really enjoy the tour. Recommend everyone who has a passion in tea to take Akito’s tour. You would not regret at all. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Wow, just finished my tour with Akito and it was awesome. He is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, I have never had such an amazing tour before.
We got to visit the tea farm and the factory. Learned a lot in a very short amount of time. Thankful that he let me join!
We got to visit the tea farm and the factory. Learned a lot in a very short amount of time. Thankful that he let me join!
It was really great to spend time and meet Akito. He is very kind and has a great knowledge of tea manufacturing. He takes the time to explain everything. We had a wonduerful time. Also the tea was excellent !! Much recommended if you come along Shizuoka.
A great day with Akito, learning Japanese Tea. He’s very passionate and has a very good knowledge about Japanese Green Tea. We went to a tea farm which has an awesome view. At the end, Akito poured me some green tea (Sencha, Kabusecha, and Houjicha). I highly recommend the tour with Akito (it’s only 1.5 hours from Tokyo).
We had wonderful time while touring Houkouen Tea Farm in Shimizu with Akito. He picked us up from the Train station and drove us all the way to Houkouen Tea Farm. We learned so much about Japanese green farming, harvesting and refining process. We visited different locations and even had a chance to try different types of green tea while learning about them! I would totally recommend it for anyone interested in learning about Japanese green tea!
We had an awesome time with Akito visiting tea plantations in Shizuoka🌱 Akito shared his love of tea with us. He brought us to places we would never have been able to access and the tea farm was absolutely beautiful with a view of Mt. Fuji✨He brewed many different types of green tea from the farm.
My mind and soul went to a state of peace and quiet. It was like I regained 5 senses I neglected in a fast paced society. I’m going to prioritize a time to enjoy a good cup of tea 🥰
This tour is perfect for tea lovers, mountain lovers, and anyone who’s interested in a way of life outside big cities. Definitely recommend this tour🌱🌱🌱
My mind and soul went to a state of peace and quiet. It was like I regained 5 senses I neglected in a fast paced society. I’m going to prioritize a time to enjoy a good cup of tea 🥰
This tour is perfect for tea lovers, mountain lovers, and anyone who’s interested in a way of life outside big cities. Definitely recommend this tour🌱🌱🌱
I had an awesome time with Akito on his Houkouen tea tour. His tour takes you to the mountainous areas of Shizuoka that would be difficult to navigate without a guide. He picked me up from the station, took me to the fields with a view of Mt. Fuji, brewed some delicious teas from the farm, and then showed me a local tea shop in Shizuoka city. I highly recommend it as a day trip or stopover from Tokyo! The tour is both for tea lovers and people who want to learn more about Japanese tea. Thank you Akito!
I had a great time visiting the tea farm and visiting local tea shops with Akito. We ended up spending almost a whole day of him showing me around Shizuoka and teaching me everything about the tea making process. He clearly cares a great deal about local teas and tea culture, and I think what they are doing at The Tea Bridge is great. If you love tea or just want to learn more about tea, this is definitely the tour to take.
What a fabulous way to start our day! Akito shared his love of tea with us, taking us on a journey from the farm to how to brew the perfect cup of green tea.
Sitting drinking green tea in the tea farm with the most amazing view of Mt Fuji (we were incredibly lucky with the weather) was something we will never forget. Akito was an excellent host. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Sitting drinking green tea in the tea farm with the most amazing view of Mt Fuji (we were incredibly lucky with the weather) was something we will never forget. Akito was an excellent host. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Tour on plantation was absolutely great experience and I would recommend it for any tea lover visiting Japan. Beautiful views, lot of interesting facts and stories about tea, and of course tasting! Discovering so much varieties of taste and aroma in different cultivars used for Sencha was one of my best tea adventures.
And Akito is the best! 🙂
And Akito is the best! 🙂
Tea Bridge came highly recommended by tea lovers friends. I took the 3 tours that Akito and Sandra are currently proposing (tea Cafe in Shizuoka, Saranti farm and Houkouen farm)... And it was from far the highlight of my whole trip in Japan. In addition to be overly nice, Akito is very very knowledgeable about tea and farmer's work. He brought me to places I would never have been able to access if he wasn't here. We tasted so many high quality teas. It was a total blast. Definitely a one of a kind experience. Thank you Akito for sharing with me your passion and favorite places. I wish you and the tea Bridge, the attention it deserves.
Fantastic day out exploring tea plantations in the region and then Akito's favourite teahouses in town. Great information about Japanese and Shizuoka tea production and interesting tastings. Variety of tea experiences was excellent. Pick-up from train station was much appreciated.
me encantó hacer un tour diferente con un poco más sobre la cultura del té.... desde estar enmedio de un sembradío degustando un rico té y una vista espectacular.
Así como también aprender a preparar una buena taza de té y que hasta un expreso de té podemos encontrar!!!.
Terminando la tarde con delicioso helado de té y una vuelta por el centro de la ciudad.
Nada mejor que día un poco más relajado, conociendo más sobre Japón !!!
I loved doing a different tour with a little more about the tea culture .... from being in the middle of a farm tasting a delicious tea and a spectacular view.
As well as learning to prepare a good cup of tea and that even an espresso tea we can find!
Finishing the afternoon with delicious tea ice cream and a tour of the Downtown.
Nothing better than a little more relaxed day, knowing more about Japan!
Así como también aprender a preparar una buena taza de té y que hasta un expreso de té podemos encontrar!!!.
Terminando la tarde con delicioso helado de té y una vuelta por el centro de la ciudad.
Nada mejor que día un poco más relajado, conociendo más sobre Japón !!!
I loved doing a different tour with a little more about the tea culture .... from being in the middle of a farm tasting a delicious tea and a spectacular view.
As well as learning to prepare a good cup of tea and that even an espresso tea we can find!
Finishing the afternoon with delicious tea ice cream and a tour of the Downtown.
Nothing better than a little more relaxed day, knowing more about Japan!
I loved this tour. Everything was so well organized. And we enjoyed so many things and got new information about Japanese green tea.
It was nice to see farmers, in action and visit a local home.
And all those lovely tea places in Shizuoka... I was in my tea heaven.
Thank you guys! You made my dream come true.
Ps. There is a story, my pics and my video on my blog (which is in Finnish) ->
menaiset.fi/akito
It was nice to see farmers, in action and visit a local home.
And all those lovely tea places in Shizuoka... I was in my tea heaven.
Thank you guys! You made my dream come true.
Ps. There is a story, my pics and my video on my blog (which is in Finnish) ->
menaiset.fi/akito
We really enjoyed the tour. Learning more about the amazing world of Japanese tea, because the more you know, the more you love it.
I recommend this tour to everyone, because the green tea bags that we have in Europe has nothing to do with the real Japanese tea. We tried different type of Shizuoka greens and how taste can change depending on how you brew it.
Akito is amazing, he was very friendly and helped us in everything he could.
I recommend this tour to everyone, because the green tea bags that we have in Europe has nothing to do with the real Japanese tea. We tried different type of Shizuoka greens and how taste can change depending on how you brew it.
Akito is amazing, he was very friendly and helped us in everything he could.
We had a great time learning about japanese green tea, its current development, and the different ways to brew sencha; the fields are amazing in Shizuoka, Akito and staff were so nice to us, I highly recommend it 🙂
Our tour of the Honyama (本山) high mountain tea farm was magical! We got to try many different brews and learned all about the refining process leading to different types of tea. It was great to touch the tea bushes and see the farmers working in the field. Thanks Akito for the warm welcome and sharing this culture with us! ���
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