In my previous job, I worked for the largest tea company in Japan. I was stationed in the United States from 2009 to 2014, and it was during that time that I realized tea is not just a delicious, healthy drink, but it can also be a tool for communication. Experiencing different cultures abroad helped me recognize Japanese aesthetic values, especially the refined feature of tea. I have become more and more fascinated by it since then.

Tea creates opportunities for meaningful human connections. To me, communication is a lot like making tea. When you prepare tea for someone, you’re essentially saying, “I’m here with you for a while.” Holding onto that in my mind as I share tea with others, unexpected and wonderful connections might arise, and amazing things I could never have planned come into my life. So, I believe such a simple act as offering someone a cup of tea might be the key to a joyful life.

There are many ways to enjoy sencha, regular Japanese green tea. The taste changes depending on the temperature of the water for brewing, the aroma varies with different levels of roasting, and the tea leaves themselves can even be eaten. Many of these things are not widely known even among Japanese people today. Through our OCHA experience, we offer the opportunity to try all of the things I mentioned above. We also have close relationships with local tea farmers who manage tea fields, so we can organize tea-producing region tours as well. Matcha is great, of course, but I hope people will also explore sencha, which will add more variety to the way you enjoy Japanese cuisine.