Tea Business School – Winter 2025

A business-focused programme designed to immerse students in the practical realities of Japanese tea production. Over four intensive days, you will gain hands-on experience and industry insights into:

• Sourcing and evaluating high-quality tea
• Developing innovative tea-based products
• Understanding the current landscape of the Japanese tea industry
• Building connections within the tea business community

Who This Program Is Best For

• Café owners, matcharistas, or tea mixologists seeking product development expertise
• Early-stage cafés looking to source the best tea/matcha for their target market
• Tea and matcha distributors eager to deepen their product knowledge
• Tea or matcha enthusiasts considering starting their own business

Learning Experience

The curriculum blends:

• Classroom Learning – Business strategies, sourcing methods, and market insights
• Short Internship – Participate in store operations, farm work, and product preparation at d:matcha Kyoto
• Networking – Exchange ideas with fellow participants and our experienced team

CHECK THE CURRICULUM HERE

Meet Your Main Instructor: Daiki Tanaka

With a rare combination of global business expertise and deep agricultural roots, Daiki Tanaka leads the Tea Business School with both strategic insight and hands-on farming experience.

• BA in Agricultural Management – Kyoto University
• MBA – Babson College, Boston (#1 in entrepreneurship education)
• Former Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton Tokyo – youngest to achieve this rank
• CEO & Turnaround Leader, Doughnut Plant Tokyo – three consecutive years of growth
• Founder & CEO, D-matcha Co., Ltd., Wazuka, Kyoto – integrating cultivation, processing, and global sales
• Committee Member, Kyoto Prefecture Tea Industry Promotion Plan – collaborating with tea masters and policymakers to shape the future of Uji tea

As both an entrepreneur and an industry representative, Daiki offers students exclusive insider perspectives on Japan’s tea business — from cultivation in the fields to brand-building in the global market.

Program Details

• Duration: 4 days
• Price: JPY 220,000 (includes lunch)
• Class Capacity: 8 participants
• Accommodation: Self-arranged (Kyoto or Ishiyama Station area recommended)
• Transportation: Daily shuttle service from Ishiyama Station (North Gate)
• Meals: Lunch provided (dietary needs accommodated with advance notice)
• Cancellation Policy: Full refund for cancellations 30+ days before start date or within 24 hours of booking (other cases reviewed individually)