Exhibiting at World Tea Expo 2025

Wakoen Global, in partnership with the Japan Ochawari Association, is a distinguished Japanese tea producer headquartered in Shibushi, Kagoshima Prefecture. With roots dating back to 1948, Wakoen has become a symbol of premium Japanese tea culture through its vertically integrated production system, international outreach, and innovative Ochawari tea cocktails. The company merges deep agricultural tradition with contemporary beverage innovation, representing a modern approach to the global tea experience.

Company Background

Founded in the rich tea-growing region of southern Japan, Wakoen has evolved from a regional tea cooperative into a global brand. Under the leadership of Yasuhisa Horiguchi, Wakoen Global now serves both domestic and international markets with premium organic and specialty teas, while also spearheading the Japan Ochawari Association—a movement promoting tea-based alcoholic beverages.

Wakoen is recognized for its commitment to sustainable agriculture, small-batch production, and advanced tea processing techniques, all underlined by a dedication to quality and flavor integrity.

Core Product Offerings

Wakoen's portfolio includes a wide range of traditional and specialty Japanese teas, as well as innovative beverage concepts:

• Green Tea (Ryokucha)

  • Ryokucha Densetsu Kiwami: A flagship deep-steamed green tea with robust umami
  • KAKUHORI Fukamushicha: A premium deeply steamed variety, low in bitterness

• Matcha

  • Yūki Matcha: Organic, shade-grown matcha cultivated in small, artisan batches

• Genmaicha

  • Matchairi Genmaicha: A unique blend of roasted brown rice and matcha for a nutty, savory profile

• Houjicha

  • Ryokucha Densetsu Houjicha Powder: Roasted tea with low caffeine, ideal for culinary and drink applications

• Tea-Based Beverages

  • Arabikicha: Cold-extracted green tea concentrate for RTD and cocktail infusions
  • TEAƎT Series: Functional, flavor-infused ready-to-drink teas

• Ochawari Cocktails

  • Tea and alcohol fusion drinks promoted under the Japan Ochawari Association

Innovation and Market Differentiation

Wakoen stands apart for its integration of traditional tea agriculture with beverage innovation, particularly through its Ochawari initiative. Ochawari, meaning "tea-split cocktails," blends Japanese teas with spirits such as shochu or whiskey, appealing to modern drinkers and bar professionals. This initiative bridges Japan’s deep-rooted tea tradition with global mixology trends.

The company also invests heavily in:

• Tea extraction technologies for high-quality concentrates
• Cold brewing and nitrogen infusion
• Organic certification and soil regeneration practices

Their approach to product development emphasizes health, culture, and flavor, aligning with wellness trends worldwide.

Financial and Market Performance

Although privately held, Wakoen’s export volume has shown annual growth of approximately 15% year-over-year since 2020. The company supplies bulk and packaged teas to clients in:

• North America (specialty tea shops and bars)
• Europe (organic supermarkets and mixologists)
• Asia-Pacific (retailers and cafes)

Estimated revenue is between ¥700 million to ¥1 billion JPY annually (~$5–7 million USD), driven by a mix of domestic sales, ecommerce, and international B2B contracts.

Supply Chain and Export Activity

Wakoen controls every stage of its supply chain, from cultivation in Kagoshima’s volcanic soil to in-house processing and direct shipping. Its teas are exported globally, primarily through:

• OEM partnerships
• Private label agreements
• Direct DTC ecommerce via its website

The company offers private labeling and bulk formats for overseas clients and has been featured in international tea trade fairs such as World Tea Expo and BioFach Japan.

Target Markets

Wakoen serves a broad but focused customer base:

• Tea connoisseurs and specialty retail outlets
• Restaurants and tea houses seeking artisanal and organic options
• Alcohol brands and bartenders via the Ochawari Association
• Health-conscious consumers exploring functional tea beverages

Their products resonate with consumers who value traceability, health benefits, and Japanese craftsmanship.

Capabilities

• 100% vertically integrated tea production
• Private label and bulk packaging services
• Custom formulation for B2B partners
• Export compliance and multilingual documentation
• Cocktail development support for hospitality clients

Wakoen's modern processing facility supports HACCP compliance, temperature-controlled storage, and international shipping certifications.

Certifications and Sustainability

Wakoen prioritizes environmental stewardship and holds multiple industry certifications:

• JAS Organic Certification
• EU Organic Certification
• USDA Organic Equivalent
• HACCP and GMP Processing Compliance

Sustainable farming practices include no-pesticide zones, shade-growing matcha methods, and local resource reuse systems.

Customer and Industry Testimonials

“Wakoen’s Kiwami fukamushicha delivers a depth of umami rarely found in commercial tea—true craftsmanship in every cup.” — Tea Master Ayumi S., Tokyo

“Their Ochawari series is a game changer. The cocktails we’ve crafted using Arabikicha concentrate have become signature items.” — Luis M., Mixologist, London

“We partnered with Wakoen for our private label organic matcha in the U.S.—they're reliable, responsive, and the quality is exceptional.” — James T., Specialty Tea Retailer, San Francisco

Major Achievements

• Founding member of the Japan Ochawari Association, promoting tea-alcohol synergy globally
• Exported to over 18 countries across 4 continents
• Featured in Nikkei Asian Review and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) trade promotion campaigns
• Developed TEAƎT, a line of functional cold teas with growing market share in urban Japan
• Increased export share by 40% from 2021 to 2024 amid growing global demand for Japanese teas

Wakoen Global and the Japan Ochawari Association exemplify the future of Japanese tea—bridging time-honored cultivation with global beverage trends, sustainability, and high-end culinary integration.