Origins of Yamada Chaya
Welcome to Yamada Chaya: your online Japanese teahouse.
Our story begins in Shiga, Japan, near the celebrated tea fields of Uji, Kyoto- the birthplace of some of the world’s finest matcha. Our founder, Yoshi, grew up surrounded by the quiet beauty of Japan’s tea culture, where each bowl of matcha is more than a drink- it is a moment to be fully present.
At Yamada Chaya, we live by the spirit of ichi-go ichi-e (一期一会) — “one time, one meeting,” the belief that each encounter is unique and should be cherished. This is the heart of our tea: to slow down, to notice, and to honour the moment in front of you.
For over a decade, we have been drinking and learning about matcha, deepening our respect for the farmers who nurture each leaf and the traditions that guide every step. From the shading of the tea fields to the careful grinding into vibrant, silky powder.
Our matcha is sourced from generational tea farmers in Japan. Crafted to capture the harmony expressed in 茶道, chadō, the Japanese tea ceremony’s, four principles: wa (和, harmony), kei (敬, respect), sei (清, purity), and jaku (寂, tranquility).
We honour the ceremonial roots of matcha while embracing its place in modern life. Whether enjoyed as a quiet, whisked bowl, poured into a creamy latte, or used to create something entirely new. In every form, it is still tea, still connection, still a moment worth savouring.
From our teahouse to your home, welcome to Yamada Chaya.
Why New Zealand? Why now?
Yamada Chaya was born from years of living between two cultures. Japanese tea tradition on one side, the laid back rhythms of New Zealand surf life on the other. That contrast turned out to be the point.
We settled in Taranaki after years in New Zealand, drawn by the coastline, the waves, and the quiet. The business had been taking shape long before we made it official. What drove it was simple. A frustration with the quality of matcha available here, and a direct connection to the farmers in Uji who grow something far better.
New Zealand deserves access to the real thing. That belief is where Yamada Chaya started, and it still shapes everything we do.
-Yoshi & Kayleigh, founders
from generational tea farms
& based in New Zealand
as well as modern tea culture
