Toshi and Shohei, co-founders and former teammates on their Uji high school American football team, share a deep bond rooted in resilience and trust. Both later represented Japan on the international stage, carrying their country’s spirit into global competition — an experience that shaped their shared sense of discipline, teamwork, and pride.

Toshi’s family has been in Wazuka for over 300 years, though much knowledge was lost after his great-grandfather’s early passing and Japan’s economic shift away from agriculture. Later, experiences in Silicon Valley and New York inspired him to revive this heritage by blending tradition with innovation. Shohei, with a background in finance, was drawn to tea’s wellness potential and the urgent challenges facing local producers, from succession issues to low incomes.

The name Wmatcha originates from “Wazuka,” the founders’ hometown and a tea-growing region famous for Uji matcha. Tea is deeply intertwined with Japanese spiritual culture: it unites people (Wa) and fosters harmony, like a circle or ring. Both matcha and the people connected by it express unique individuality shaped by their environment and the sensibilities of those who nurture them. The founders’ wish is to create a world where this harmony and diversity can be enjoyed, preparing a hopeful future for generations to come.