We are pleased to host a Japanese tea tasting with Kotaro Shinbara, a fourth-generation tea master from Susumuya Chaya from Kagoshima, Japan.
This casual tasting highlights thoughtfully crafted teas from Kagoshima, one of Japan’s leading tea-growing regions, located in the southern part of Japan.
Guests will be able to sample the full Susumuya Chaya lineup—four loose-leaf teas, four tea bag varieties including Sencha, Kuki Hojicha, Genmaicha, and Satsuma tea, along with three kinds of matcha!
Following the event, Susumuya Chaya teas will become part of our regular merchandise, and all teas will be available for purchase during the tasting.
Saturday, March 7, 1–3 PM
Sunday, March 8, 12–2 PM
Interview with Kotaro Shinbara:
Q: Where did Susumuya Chaten begin?
It began in New York. I was there on a buying trip when my father collapsed from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. During that time, I encountered people who lived naturally and confidently embraced their backgrounds. Seeing the morning coffee culture there made me think, “Japan needs its own everyday tea culture.”
Q: Were you always interested in Japanese tea?
Not at all (laughs). My family has run a tea wholesale business for 100 years in Kagoshima, where it is the second-largest tea-producing region, but I never planned to take it over. However, after seeing people abroad proudly embrace their heritage, I decided to do the same with Japanese tea.
Q: Was entering the tea industry easy?
Not at all. At the tea market, I couldn’t even tell the difference between teas. I made many costly mistakes. But I went earlier than anyone else, drank more tea than anyone else, and stayed humble. At one point, I believe I may have tasted more tea than anyone in Japan.
Q: What was the turning point in opening your store?
Meeting the people at DWELL in Kagoshima was the turning point. DWELL was truly cool. It embodied the kind of authentic local spirit I had felt in New York—something natural and deeply rooted in the community. I believe they conveyed that sense of local pride more quickly and clearly than anyone else at the time. Naturally, I began visiting often, and through that, I met many inspiring people. Through DWELL, I was introduced to designer Shinichiro Nakahara, and we built the shop together. I had almost no money and had to take out loans to make it happen.
Q: Was the business successful from the start?
Only for the first month (laughs). After that, the first year was extremely difficult. But I truly believed that every customer who walked in was a miracle. So I kept expressing my gratitude.
Q: What does the name “Susumuya” mean?
It comes from my grandfather’s favorite phrase, “Sekkyoku Zenshin” (positive forward progress). We want to keep moving forward proactively. That’s what “Susumu” (forward) represents.
Q: What is your vision for the future?
To make the finest Japanese tea part of everyday life—not something exclusive or overly refined, but natural. We want to become a part of the city, part of people’s daily routines. We see ourselves as translators, conveying the true beauty of Japanese tea in a way everyone can understand.
Please come to greet Kotaro on the weekend!!
