Tōzaka-san looking stylish wearing his tea-dyed cloth

Overview of Tōzaka Chaen

Hailing from Sonogi in Nagasaki,
Tōzaka Chaen is a tea farm run by 3rd generation tea farmer Tōzaka Kōichi (東坂幸一) - the smallest tea farmer in the Sonogi region as far as it is known with a farm size of 2 hectares, who still harvests and produces tea with his parents to this day.

Tōzaka-san is producing some of the most exquisite tea in all of Japan, experimenting with his vision of natural tea growing. He is known for producing delicious tamaryokucha, wakōcha (Japanese black tea) and his hōjichas which garnered much adoration and interest at Japan Tea Expo 2025.

He is quite experimental in his approaches and ideas, taking time in practicing different artisanal techniques, including the rarer hand-plucking and hand-rolling techniques that are in decline throughout all of Japan. He is always developing new ideas and honing his craft and mastery as tea farmer.

Tōzaka Chaen is a member of Nagasaki Ikedoki Tea.

Tozaka-san showing pressed sesame seeds used as natural fertiliser

Sustainability At Tōzaka Chaen

Especially concerned about sustainable agriculture, Tōzaka Chaen follows natural ways of cultivation that do not harm the environment or local communities. Opting to drastically decrease the use of pesticides and fertilisers, with a tea field that has not had any fertilisers nor pesticides used since 2016, he is constantly monitoring the health of his fields and adapts his techniques and practices as he keeps learning.

When fertilisers are used they are all of natural origin - be they pressed sesame seeds or the leftover remnants from canola oil production.

He is constantly looking at seasonal and lunar cycles to time his harvests for optimal conditions, while also sourcing special hidden water sources treasured for their mineral content for the health of his tea fields and their soil, letting the natural environment shine through so that his teas show their truest 'authentic taste'.

The Cha Dodo family in Tozaka's tea factory

Tea Production at Tōzaka Chaen

Tea production is an art form at Tōzaka Chaen. Blending tradition and innovation with precision to create exceptional, high-quality teas, his farm follows meticulous, natural farming practices. From cultivation to harvest, everything is done with care and respect for the environment.

While he has his own tea factory with machinery at his family's farm, Tōzaka-san loves to experiment with artisanal production techniques both old and new. In particular, his temomi white tea, produced in such small quantities, is truly a work of art and treasure. Such that it is prized by one of the nearby restaurants featured in the Michelin guide. Having shared that tea with him, we know it is truly exceptional.

His speciality and favourite tea to produce is his unique hōjicha, which we are excited to bring back with us from Japan. In particular, his winter hōjicha, created from autumn and winter harvests (a rarity in Japan), was one of our most requested teas from Sonogi to bring back from customers familiar with tea from the region.

His other hōjichas include a beautiful "daidai hōjicha", one blended with daidai - a type of bitter orange from the region, and his yuzu hōjicha. Both perfectly balanced with the delightful citrus notes.

Tōzaka-san also produces a tamaryokucha and a wakōcha.

Jean-Pierre and Tozaka-san

Tōzaka Chaen's Impact

Tōzaka-san has built a strong community of like-minded artisans, farmers and tea enthusiasts both domestically and internationally. Always happy to welcome guests with an infectious enthusiasm and immaculate hospitality, he welcomes help during farming times where people can experience his way of life with him, often meeting tea lovers from all over Japan and elsewhere in the world.

A true artisan in the way of tea, Tōzaka-san is true gem of a producer with his open mind and love for the craft, freely sharing his knowledge and experiences as his knowledge of tea grows.

With him, the tea party never ends.

Jean-Pierre and Tōzaka at Japan Tea Expo 2025

Tōzaka Chaen's Future & Where We Come In

Tōzaka Chaen is dedicated to quality production that reflect the depth and richness of Japan's many years of tea-growing heritage. As a small family-run farm, their approach honours meticulous craftsmanship and a deep connection with the immediately surrounding environment. Production in small quantities allows Tōzaka Chaen to bring out the typical characteristics of the terroir, Sonogi, with every harvest.

Nagasaki is the historical entry point for when tea was first introduced to Japan from China back in the year 1191 by the Buddhist monk Eisai - the "Father of Tea". Fast-forward to today, tea production in Nagasaki accounts around 2% of Japan's tea production where tea such as tamaryokucha are lesser known globally and even domestically to Japan. It is of our opinion that more of the world should learn of the joy of Sonogicha - a vision shared by Tōzaka Chaen.

When choosing Tōzaka Chaen teas from Cha Dodo, customers help them pay homage to centuries of Japan's small-scale, heritage tea farming tradition and to further the goal of more people enjoying tea from Nagasaki.

Together we can celebrate and share the specialties of this remarkable producer with tea friends everywhere.

Buy Tōzaka Chaen's Teas