Meet all the incredible people dedicated to share with you their passion for tea, culture, and good times!
- Hugo
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Hugo
Passionate about tea, Hugo initiated this project to give back to Japan what Japan gave him throughout his 14 years here.
A passion for tea, sharing the beauty of Japanese culture, doing better by our planet and our communities, caring for one another, and altogether live a gentler life have been Hugo's drivers in making this dream project come true.
Favourite tea : The Popstar - Michi
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Michi
No one wants to share the beauty of Japan with the world as much as Michi does. He made it his mission when he started Kitchen & Company in 2013.
Since then he has devoted himself to build a global platform for Japan's art, culture, cuisine and innovation.
Favourite tea : The Regal - Kyoko
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Kyoko
Kyoko simply makes everything possible. There is no challenge big enough for her. Trust us if you get into a project like this one, you will face a new roadblock everyday on topics you have no idea about.
And yet we are very fortunate we had a new solution everyday thanks to her.
Passionate, fun, and committed to change the world for the better, Kyoko is a rock to all of us.
Favourite tea : The Popstar - Cherry
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Cherry
Cherry is not only a very good friend, she is first and foremost an incredibly talented artist and a passionate ambassador of Japanese culture through her calligraphy.
We are very honored she let us capture her multifaceted personality to embody each of our tea. We just can't think of anyone who could have done it better, and more importantly with whom we would have had more fun doing it.
Favourite tea : The Free Spirit - Noboru
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Noboru
Our Free-spirit friend Noboru left Tokyo to live closer to the best surfing waves of Japan in Miyazaki. Not only he got what he came for, but also found much more when he met Kazuhiro and together started the very unique production of wild tea.
Now his dream is to share with you the taste of their unique tea, support local communities and protect the environment of the beautiful region of Miyazaki.
Discover his tea - Conan
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Conan
The magic eye behind the camera, Conan captures with his talent and lenses all our content.
Him and Hugo have been friends since college in Tokyo, and let us telling you this, there is nothing like working with your best friend on your dream project.
Conan's one and only goal is to move the world towards sustainable solutions and a lifestyle in harmony with nature. He uses his cameras to showcase nature's beauty and make us realize than now is the time to make a move before it's too late.
Favourite tea : The Wild One - Takuya
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Takuya
Former model in Tokyo, he went back to Shizuoka to support his family business and become the 15th generation of tea producer in his family.
Takuya is the first tea farmer we partnered with, his kindness and support throughout this whole adventure means the world to us.
He and his Father Seiji are behind the exquisite teas : The Evergreen and The Popstar
Discover his teas - Yuko
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Yuko
The one and only Yuko, the talented art director behind our brand identity.
Born in Japan and based in London for years, we don't know of anyone who knows how to mix Japanese and western style with such a subtle and creative touch.
- Seiji
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Seiji
Seiji is a man of a few words but of infinite kindness. Along with his son Takuya and his family is carrying over the family legacy of tending to the mesmerizing estate in the mountains of Shizuoka.
Back in the 70's, way before most of us understood the importance to change the way we farm and eat, Seiji shifted his tea production to organic. Today his tea garden enjoys the healthiest soil and interacts in perfect symbiosis with the surrounding nature.
We are blessed to be able to share with you the delicious teas of a true pioneer in organic tea farming.
Discover The Evergreen and The Popstar - Kazuhiro
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Kazuhiro
Kazuhiro has been surrounded by the beautiful forests of Miyazaki for as long as he can remember.
His passion for nature and working with trees lead him to become a Bonsai master, as well as the founder of NPO Seirin that works on protecting the fauna and flora of the region while supporting local communities.
Yamacha is the natural extension of his life work of protecting and showcasing what is so dear to his heart.
Discover his tea - Mariko
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Mariko
With us from the very first hours of this initiative, Mariko brought all her commitments to make a positive difference in everything we do. Our North Star in making the world a better place.
An incredible friend and source of inspiration to us and everyone around her.
Having said that we would have more tea for you if Mariko didn't eat so many leaves on her visits to the farms ;- )
Favourite tea : The Wild One - Lee
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Lee
Our extremely creative and equally pragmatic art director. Together with Yuko, Lee has built every aspect of the brand, from design to visual identity.
To every request, Lee comes back with ten proposals. Every single one of them better than the other. He makes our lives difficult every time we had to choose between his amazing work by asking us to keep one and say good bye to the others.
Keep bringing your conundrums Lee, we love them!
- Kimm
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Kimm
Our digital guru and mood maker in chief. Kimm is always here to fix our website and our team when it starts bugging.
Fun, positive, and go-getter Kimm makes it happen and lift our spirit while taking us there.
Favourite tea : The Evergreen - Simon
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Simon
Our Friend, guide, and mentor in this project and much more.
Simon always blesses us with his wealth of knowledge, his creativity and his passion for art, culture, history. There is nothing that we love more than listening to the way he connects them into the most inspirational and positive message.
We wish you could all enjoy a conversation with Simon around a cup of tea.
- Abel
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Abel
Abel joined us for a series of photo shoots bringing his positiveness, swag and kindness that perfectly embodies the energy of Tokyo's new generation of trailblazers.
Working with friends and meeting new ones is our favorite thing in the world!
- Caroline
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Caroline
Our lovely copywriter
She moved all the way to Tokyo to be part of our collective and that means the world to us.
She always brings optimism, fun, and creativity in everything she does. She is our Popstar, our Free Spirit, our Wild One with just the right bit of Regal.
Never change Caroline!
- Mike
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Mike
At the very origin of a | round tea is Mike!
Him and Hugo have been best friends since they met in college in Tokyo. They loved tea, Japan , and always dreamt of starting a project together. And that's how it all started.
Mike decided to take another path along the way, but he will always remain our very very dear friend and forever will be one of the founder of our collective.