In Japan, green tea is eaten as a food ...

Oh yes! Typically you only want to try it with gyokuro or a tea that you REALLY trust. The leaves need to be of such quality that they are not bitter or stiff after being steeped. These leaves taste like/feel like spinach, but with a lovely floral effect. We eat at least half of the pots we steep! If you try it and end up not liking it, it is probably the tea you are using. As a topping to serve it as a dish you can add a bit of soy sauce, ponzu and/or katsuo bushi (like in your pic).

This sounds like something delightful to try.

I usually eat my green tea leaves. I just thought I was weird, though, I am glad to find out others do it!

Green Tea noodles are a Japanese staple, and taste wonderful. A friend of mine eats them in a broth of Genmai-cha and steeped green tea leaves. I have tried them this way and they can be quite delicious. :)

Thanks for sharing! I’m going to have to look into this more and give it a try, after all I am drinking a lovely gyokuro at the moment.