Established by the United Nations to honor the rich cultural heritage, economic importance, and health benefits of tea, 21st May is celebrated around the world as International Tea Day.
To mark this occasion together with our global Japanese tea community, we held a series of events in Japan, Spain, and online. This year, we wished to place special emphasis on the diversity of Japanese tea regions and the richness of Japanese tea culture. Our online events, therefore, featured speakers from five different tea regions in Japan: Shizuoka, Kyoto, Nara, Fukuoka, and Nagasaki.
George and Pau from Obubu Tea in Wazuka, Kyoto, discussed recent developments in their town and shared updates on the successful spring harvest. Taro from Mohei Tea in Fuji, Shizuoka, spoke about the evolving landscape of Shizuoka’s tea industry, while Honoka from Yame Green Tea conveyed messages from tea producers in Yame, Fukuoka. Finally, Marjolein from Ikedoki Tea in Higashi Sonogi, Nagasaki, shared beautiful images of the local tea scenery across several seasons.
At our event in Kyoto, we were also delighted to have a tea ceremony demonstration by our dear Tea Fellow Mika Hasegawa, who leads diverse tourism activities in the Kyoto region. It was followed by some cosy time of conversing with old and new tea friends while enjoying delicious shincha form Kagoshima and Shizuoka.
In Spain, Anna hosted an event alongside Chinese tea specialist Gwen Chesnais at a newly opened tea house in Madrid. Twenty enthusiastic participants joined in to joyfully celebrate this special occasion, which beautifully blended Japanese and Chinese tea traditions. For the event, we served a refreshing cold brew hojicha from Utena Tea, along with an incredibly lush green tamaryokucha from Ikeda Chaen, which amazed every single guest.
We are really happy our global community come together to celebrate this special day.