How did he become the Tea Prince®? What sparked his passion for tea? What has been the best part of being the Tea Prince®? Let’s delve into his true face.

Introduction

I’m someone who creates various tea blends with the aim of making it easier for people to incorporate tea into their daily lives. Among them, I create teas named after women in a series called ‘Maiden’s Tea,’ crafted with stories attached. The intention behind adding stories is to not only enhance everyday life with tea but also provide enjoyment as literature.

The Tea Prince® is dedicated to infusing his teas with unique characteristics. His “Maiden’s Tea” series features teas named after distinctive women, each accompanied by a story tailored to match its namesake. For instance, “Eiko” is a blend inspired by the domestic image of a musician, incorporating muscat and soursop to evoke the sensation of charging one’s heart with “Eiko.” The Tea Prince® believes that by infusing tea with stories like this, it makes tea feel more integrated into daily life and enhances the enjoyment of drinking tea.

How did an ordinary young man become the Tea Prince®…?

It all started when a customer from my neighborhood affectionately called me ‘Tea Prince®,’ and before I knew it, the nickname spread to other customers, gradually establishing me as the Tea Prince®. Initially, I felt embarrassed, but I saw it as an opportunity to introduce people to the world of tea. So, I trademarked ‘Tea Prince®’ and began my journey as a tea instructor.

The name “Tea Prince®” was actually a nickname given by one of his fans. Though initially feeling bashful about it, he eventually decided to embrace the name as his brand. He hoped that by using this name, more people would become acquainted with tea. It’s like a fantasy to have such a wonderful opportunity through tea, isn’t it?

Please tell me what got you into tea!

I’m originally from Saitama, but I lived in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, where Western culture flourishes, for about 10 years. It was during this time that I encountered numerous delicious teas, which sparked my interest. As I experimented with various brewing methods to find the most delicious one, I became captivated by tea.

The Tea Prince® attributes his fascination with tea to his time in Kobe. Kobe, known for its Western-influenced culture due to its history as a foreign settlement during the Meiji era, provided the backdrop for his tea journey. While living in Kobe, the Tea Prince® encountered various types and flavors of tea, awakening to the allure of tea. He developed an interest in brewing methods and embarked on a journey of trial and error to discover the art of brewing delicious tea.

From Kanagawa Prefecture (Saitama) to Kobe!?

During my student days, when deciding my future path, I wanted to continue playing baseball in university. After seeing an episode in a magazine where the perennial last-place team became champions, I thought, ‘I want to join a place like this!’ So, I decided to attend university in Kobe, which led to my decision to move to Kobe. Even after entering university, I was dedicated to baseball. However, as I suffered injuries to my hip, shoulder, and elbow, I began to question whether it was enough to focus solely on baseball for all four years of university. I started to feel disheartened. At that time, I wanted to explore interests beyond baseball, so I found myself engrossed in café hopping.

The Tea Prince® explains that the reason for moving to Kobe was for university education. After relocating due to enrollment, although initially dedicated to baseball at university, he gradually found himself engrossed in café hopping.

Why was I captivated by cafe hopping after moving to Hyogo Prefecture, specifically to Kobe (Minato City)?

Back then, in Saitama City’s Chuo Ward where I lived before moving, there were hardly any charming cafes or interior shops, let alone the sea. But in Kobe, such places were abundant as if it were natural. While attending university, I started working part-time at a Western-style restaurant in Kobe, and gradually, exploring cafes and interior shops became a routine for me. Before I knew it, I found myself transitioning from working at a Western-style restaurant to becoming a café staff member.

Kobe, a city brimming with cultures not seen before the move. While working part-time at a Western-style restaurant in Kobe, it became routine to visit cafes and interior shops. Before realizing it, he had become a café staff member.

Please tell the story of how the Tea Prince® became a café staff member.

The people working in Kobe, as well as the café staff members, always seemed wonderful and radiant no matter when I saw them. They exuded an aura of admiration. I too wanted to become a part of this wonderful city of Kobe and contribute in my own way, which is what prompted me to become a café staff member.

The Tea Prince® wanted to become a part of the wonderful city of Kobe and contribute in his own way.

What was the motivation behind opening the shop?

The desire to become the best at something has always lingered in the back of my mind since I was in high school. I had always dreamed of opening my own shop someday, and I wanted everyone to taste the delicious tea that I brewed. That’s why I decided to start the shop.

The Tea Prince® dreamed of owning his own shop. He had a strong desire for many people to taste the tea he brewed. Ten years after falling in love with tea in Kobe, he opened his own shop in Saitama.

Where was the first shop opened?

The first shop was “Tea room…7” (Tea Room Nana) in Saitama City. A café owner suggested that it’s best to open a shop locally, so I decided to open the shop in Saitama City.

The store is located at 4-chome 13-12 Kamifukuoka, Chuo-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture.

About my feelings since starting the shop.

Like how I was captivated by the world of tea, I wanted others to be healed or moved by the tea I brewed and the atmosphere I created. So, I worked tirelessly, wholeheartedly focusing on running the business. Above all, I wanted to be the best in hospitality.

The customers sitting in front of me as I brew tea might be the second encounter in this lifetime, or it might not happen again. With that in mind, I offer hospitality, cherishing each cup. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

For the Tea Prince®, what does “hospitality” mean exactly?

For me, it’s brewing tea. That’s what it boils down to.

The Tea Prince® describes brewing tea as hospitality. In the tea he brews, various sentiments of the Tea Prince® are encapsulated.

Does the Tea Prince® himself drink tea every day?

Hydration for me means drinking tea. That’s why I’m concerned about tea stains on my teeth! Laughs.
Since I’m allergic to alcohol, I enjoy creating mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails) and other drinks to enhance the drinking experience. Once I arrive at the shop and finish cleaning up, I’ll brew a cup first, according to my mood of the day. It’s a way for me to gauge how I’m feeling.
Actually, I’m quite fickle, but I never get tired of tea! Drinking it doesn’t keep me awake either.

The Tea Prince® describes tea as his primary source of hydration. As he is allergic to alcohol, he creates mocktails to enjoy tea in various ways. Drinking tea is an integral part of his life and something he cannot do without.

What kind of tea do you often drink?

It might be surprising, but I mostly drink flavored teas. Like perfume, I choose them according to my mood at the moment, or I select blended teas to match my meals, or I pick flavors based on preference.
Also, there’s the ‘Maiden Tea Series,’ which consists of original blends with female names and stories attached. For example, today I might feel like having Eriwith Mari and candles, or sometimes I choose based on the story laughs

The Tea Prince® surprisingly prefers flavored teas. While people knowledgeable about tea often avoid flavored teas, I was surprised by the Tea Prince®’s response.

Do you have any recommendations for people who are not familiar with tea?

Anything works! I believe that if you let go of preconceived notions and freely enjoy tea, your life will become richer. If you find yourself thinking, ‘Hmm, I’ve seen this tea somewhere before,’ why not just pick it up and give it a try? As long as you enjoy it, anything goes!

The Tea Prince® encourages trying out any type of tea. He mentioned that by letting go of preconceptions and freely enjoying tea, life can become richer. Perhaps it’s important to approach tea in a more casual manner and simply enjoy it.

The benefits of becoming the Tea Prince®

The best thing about becoming the Tea Prince® is being able to share my passion and knowledge of tea with various people! It brings me joy to have people read or drink the tea I make and the stories I create. Furthermore, it’s enjoyable to have people interview me about various tea-related topics!

He expresses that the greatest joy of being the Tea Prince® is being able to share his passion and knowledge of tea with many people. Being active as the Tea Prince® is not just a pleasure for him, but it has also become his life’s work.