Craft is in our nature
We are passionately dedicated to the craft of producing
high-quality, easy-to-prepare Japanese teas and to
preserving small farms & processes. Our teas are
single-origin and organic. We use only natural processes
in the farming and production of our teas.
Craft is in
our nature
We are passionately dedicated to the
craft of producing high-quality,
easy-to-prepare Japanese teas and to
preserving small farms & processes.
Our teas are single-origin and organic.
We use only natural processes in the
farming and production of our teas.

CRAFTSPEOPLE ARE WHO WE ARE
We have always thought that the farmers and roasters of the Shizuoka region were true artists and craftspeople. We noticed that the number of craftspeople and artisans across Japan are declining at an accelerating rate, taking with them their ancestral practices that have been passed down over generations. We would like to counter that trend and bring you the rewards of true tea craftsmanship.

A PASSIONATE FOCUS
Our tea selection and roasting benefit from our small-batch, artisanal focus. We hand-select only the teas that will represent the best of the region and our life’s work from the first crop. First crop teas are all we use at Kyoku teas.

COMMITTED TO CRAFT
In 2018, a realization about the nature of the true craft of tea making led to the development of our artisan-focused, small-batch teas that prioritize natural and historic processes rooted in the Shizuoka region of Japan. At Kyoku tea, our mission is to honor the craftspeople who farm and roast our storied teas and to bring the beauty of these small-batch, artisanal teas to discerning audiences around the globe.
Our founders

NATSUKO WAKI
Our team is led by entrepreneur, Natsuko Waki. Mrs. Waki is deeply moved by the craft of tea makers and their plight in the world. She has previously led teams through the product development process at the Suntory Group. Her desire to reverse the over-farming processes that have reduced the livelihoods of generations of craftspeople motivates her to invigorate the tea industry in Shizuoka.

MASAHITO NAGAI
Our tea leaf designer, Mr. Nagai, carefully selects the raw tea leaves and then applies his innovative approach on top of a historical understanding to draw out the maximum level of natural flavors in the teas.
Our master farmer

YOSHIAKI HATTORI
Hattori farms are where our teas begin in the earth. Mr. Hattori is the visionary owner and master farmer. Known internationally for his Matcha teas, he takes an innovative approach to his craft. He has long-term vision for the teas in the region and is not influenced by the current dynamics of a tea industry that is succumbing to short-term thinking and efficiencies that reduce the natural strength and beauty of the teas from Shizuoka.
Our lead
investors

KOICHIRO NAKAMURA
Founder and Senior Managing Director of Sozo Ventures. With a rich history of innovation and venture programs, Mr. Nakamura was the first Japanese individual to be ranked the Midas List 100, a global ranking of venture capitalists, in 2021 and 2022.
His belief in the entrpreneurial ambitions of the Kyoku Tea team has turned into support, to help spread the rich culture of Japanese tea. His team will support Kyoku Tea through customer acquisition planning and connections to distribution.

NORIYUKI MATSUDA
Chairman of Sourcenext Corporation, and President and CEO of Pocketalk Corporation. Mr. Matsuda has a distinguished history in creating, funding and developing new businesses and driving them to scale.
He developed Pocketalk (a voice translator) to break down language barriers between cultures. He believes that there are many undiscovered joys in the world such as Japanese tea, and believes that Kyoku Tea’s mission is one of assisting in a type of cultural translation.
A letter from
our founder
and CEO,
Natsuko Waki
Demand for the high quality teas made by traditional tea farmers in Japan has
declined dramatically in recent years. Industry experts predict that many
Japanese tea farmers will go out of business by 2030. We think a big reason
for this is that people who enjoy these teas are cut off from the incredible
farmers who produce them.
At Kyoku Tea, we have a face-to-face relationship with each farmer we work
with. We also have a “tea leaf designer,” whose job it is to weave the vision of
the farmer into each tea blend, and to imagine the special moment when
someone will pase to savor the new tea.
It is our hope that not only will you find this tea delicious, nourishing but also
very easy to prepare. Simply add water at room temperature. Such a natural-brewing process helps to retain the flavor while minimizing bitterness. It also brings out beneficial compounds such as theanine and catechins in a very balanced way.
Our tea is good for the environment, and we hope that aligns with your
personal views. Brewing the tea requires no energy. It’s also farmed using
far less water than any coffee plant and you can make it in the beautiful,
reusable bottle we provide it with, or your own.
We hope to bring this new way of drinking tea to the world. If we can keep
providing it to you, at a fair price for all, we can create a market together,
where Japanese tea farmers can sustain their traditions and continue to innovate, to challenge assumptions and refine their craft.
I sincerely believe that once you experience the delicious tea
from Kyoku Tea, the door to Japanese tea will open for you.
We hope you’ll join us in creating this future, together!