Matcha Business Institute Curriculum

d:matcha's Matcha Business Institute is a selective, small-scale program designed for individuals who are seriously engaging with the Japanese tea and matcha industry. MBI is not a technical course or a certification program. It is an institute built around standards, reflection, and long-term thinking, offering participants the opportunity to engage deeply with Japanese tea beyond surface-level trends.

Matcha Business Institute

Institute Philosophy

The global matcha market is expanding rapidly. Along with this growth comes opportunity, but also misunderstanding and superficial engagement. d:matcha's Matcha Business Institute exists to counter this trend by exposing participants to authentic standards of quality, production, and philosophy within Japanese tea.

Rather than teaching formulas for success, MBI encourages Fellows to reflect on alignment between business goals, personal values, and the realities of Japanese tea culture. Success within the Institute is defined not by revenue or scale, but by clarity, integrity, and informed decision-making.

 

Who the Institute Is For

The Matcha Business Institute is designed for individuals who are seriously considering long-term involvement in the matcha or Japanese tea industry.

  • Entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders working with matcha or Japanese tea
  • Professionals preparing to launch a tea or matcha-related business
  • Individuals seeking depth and clarity beyond market trends
  • Those who value integrity, long-term thinking, and personal alignment

This Institute is not designed for beginners seeking basic tea education, certification, or standardized instruction.

Program Capacity

Participation in the Matcha Business Institute is strictly limited to a maximum of six (6) Fellows per session. This limitation is intentional.

MBI prioritizes depth, dialogue, and individual reflection over scale, ensuring that each Fellow receives meaningful exposure and personal feedback throughout the four days.

Application & Selection Process

Admission to the Matcha Business Institute is selective and application-based. All applicants are required to respond to pre-program essay questions, which serves as the primary basis for selection.

The questions are used to assess:

  • Seriousness of intent
  • Capacity for reflection
  • Alignment with the philosophy of the Institute
  • Readiness to engage with Japanese tea beyond surface-level understanding

Please review the essay questions and submit your answers here before the deadline of March 31. Only applicants who demonstrate sufficient depth and sincerity will be invited to participate. 

Pre-Program Requirement (Mandatory)

To ensure that the on-site Institute remains focused on standards, experience, and reflection rather than basic instruction, all selected Fellows are required to complete a foundational online preparation program prior to arrival.

The pre-program preparation includes:

  • Fundamental concepts and history of matcha and Japanese tea
  • Basic Japanese tea production processes and terminology
  • Essential context for on-site discussion

All preparation must be completed before the first day of the Institute. Fellows who do not complete the required preparation will be asked to defer participation. Selected fellows will receive further information on how to complete the online requirement after submitting their application.

Four-Day Matcha Business Institute Sample Schedule

This schedule is indicative and subject to change. Institute Schedule
Day 1 – Observe & Process
Tea Harvesting experience
Tencha processing
Matcha Sensory (Cultivar Comparison)
Day 2 – Practice and Craft
Tea Ceremony
Mixology and Menu Development
Baking & Cooking with Tea
Day 3 – Experience and Integrate
Café Operation Experience
Tea Packing & Handling Experience
Day 4 – Certification
Theoretical and Practical Exam
Fellow presentations
Business Discussion

Desired Outcome

  • Clarity around authentic standards in matcha and Japanese tea
  • Confidence in future business decisions grounded in personal values
  • An end to superficial engagement with Japanese tea

Institute Leadership

At d:matcha's Matcha Business Institute, you’ll learn directly from tea professionals and Japanese tea instructors with experience across agriculture, product development, and the Japanese tea industry. Our team combines hands-on expertise with global business insight to guide you through every step of the matcha supply chain.

Daiki Tanaka

Daiki Tanaka

Founder & CEO - d:matcha Co., Ltd.

  • BA in Agricultural Management - Kyoto University
  • MBA - Babson College
  • Former Senior Consultant - Booz Allen Hamilton Tokyo
  • Former CEO - Doughnut Plant Tokyo
Misato Akamatsu

Misato Akamatsu

Design Lead & Culture Enthusiast - d:matcha Co., Ltd.

  • Certified Japanese Tea Instructor
  • BA in Agricultural Management - Kyoto University
  • Trained in traditional Japanese tea ceremony
  • Specializes in accessible tea experiences
Hiroki Aka

Hiroki Aka

Farm Product Lead & Head Pâtissier - d:matcha Co., Ltd.

  • Studied Agriculture in Okinawa
  • 10+ years of experience in farming and agriculture
  • Tea production specialist
Alan

Seiya Alan Hiromoto

Tea Processing Lead - d:matcha Co., Ltd.

  • Certified Urasenke Instructor 
  • Hands-on experience in matcha manufacturing
  • Supports quality control and processing
Siti Mahdaria

Siti Mahdaria

Digital Marketing Lead & Tea Sommelier — d:matcha Co., Ltd.

  • Master of Marketing Communications — University of Melbourne
  • Former Lecturer in Communication Studies (Indonesia)
  • Manages d:matcha's global communication channels

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