A Life in Trade, A Love for Tea
My name is Hana. For 40 years, I have worked in international trade — connecting Japan with Asia, building bridges between cultures, and learning that the most valuable things in commerce are not the goods exchanged, but the relationships and trust that make them possible.
I have lived between Tokyo and Bangkok for most of my adult life. In Bangkok, I run a trading company and a café. In Tokyo, I return to my roots. Between these two worlds, I found Wakocha.
The Discovery
My encounter with Wakocha was not dramatic. It was quiet — the way the most meaningful things often are.
A friend offered me a cup of Benifuki from Kagoshima. I expected ordinary black tea. What I received was something entirely different: a tea of extraordinary gentleness, with a natural sweetness I had never encountered in decades of drinking tea across Asia and the world.
I began asking questions. I discovered a world of artisan farmers, rare cultivars, and small-batch teas that barely existed outside Japan. And I realized: this is exactly the kind of hidden treasure that the world deserves to know.
The Mission — 利他
My life philosophy is 利他 — living for others. Not charity, but the deep conviction that the best business is the one that creates genuine value for others.
HANA CHA was born from this conviction. My purpose is threefold:
- To bring Japan’s finest artisan teas to people who would otherwise never find them
- To support the small-batch farmers who dedicate their lives to this craft
- To create a bridge of understanding between Japan’s tea culture and the world
Why Direct From Japan
With 40 years in international trade, I understand supply chains. I know the difference between tea that has traveled through five middlemen and tea that comes directly from the hands that made it.
At HANA CHA, every tea is sourced directly from producers. No compromises on quality. No unnecessary markups. Just the finest Japanese black tea, delivered to your door with the care and honesty it deserves.
Our Promise
Honesty: We tell you exactly where your tea comes from, who made it, and how it was produced.
Transparency: Our pricing reflects fair compensation for artisan farmers and honest value for you.
Service: We are a small, personal operation. When you contact us, you speak with someone who knows and loves every tea we sell.
Thank you for finding us. I hope that in every cup of HANA CHA, you find something worth savoring.
— Hana, Founder · HANA CHA 花茶 · hanacha.store