IIn the serene city of Tsuruoka, nestled between the Sea of Japan and the sacred Dewa Sanzan mountains, a quiet tea legacy has been brewing since 1950. Ogawaen, a family-run Japanese tea shop, has connected people through tea for three generations.
Katsuhiro Ogawa, who currently runs the business, believes tea is more than a drink—it is a connection, a bridge between people and feelings. He grew up surrounded by tea. His childhood home doubled as the tea factory, filled with the comforting scent of fresh leaves and the lively voices of his grandfather and father at work. Tea wasn’t just part of his environment—it was part of his life.
Tsuruoka is not a tea-growing region, but its community has embraced the culture thanks to Ogawaen’s commitment. The shop sources high-quality teas from regions like Kagoshima, Shizuoka, and Kyoto, delivering a range of flavors to locals who have come to love their offerings. Ogawaen balances tradition and innovation, providing familiar comforts while responding to changing tastes.
Over the years, Katsuhiro began to notice a shift. While fewer people were brewing tea at home, interest in Japanese tea itself was growing. He saw an opportunity not just to serve tea, but to reintroduce it to everyday life in a new and engaging way.
This led to the opening of Ogawa en Cafe in July 2023. The cafe was born from a desire to make Japanese tea more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. It’s a space where tea isn’t rushed or routine—it’s an experience. Visitors are welcomed not just with a drink, but with warmth, care, and the deep-rooted culture of Japanese tea.
Everything served at the cafe is made with attention to quality and detail. Ingredients like high-grade matcha from a historic Uji wholesaler in Kyoto are used generously in crepes, shaved ice, and drinks. Each item is handmade with precision and love, offering flavors that are both unique and deeply comforting.
The atmosphere is as thoughtful as the menu. Staff speak with customers to understand their mood, preferences, or even how they’re feeling physically, and suggest teas accordingly. In spring, the cafe celebrates shincha—the season’s first flush of green tea—with its fresh, verdant aroma.
Katsuhiro, a certified tea instructor, respects the traditional methods of brewing but values personal enjoyment above all. Whether it’s a carefully steeped pot or a casual cold brew, he believes tea should meet people where they are. There’s beauty in the freedom to brew as you like.
For him, tea has always been a part of family life. He recalls how his father used to brew tea after meals, gathering everyone around. Now, he finds himself doing the same. Even as lifestyles shift, the role of tea as a quiet but powerful connector endures.
At Ogawaen and its cafe, this spirit continues. Locals, children, and even tourists have come to appreciate the tea and the feelings it brings. The goal is not just to sell tea, but to share the warmth, tradition, and human connection it represents.
Would you like a warm cup of tea?
📍 ogawa en cafe (Ogawaen Miyuki Street Location)
Address: 1-6-18 Honcho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
Google Map
Phone: 0235-22-1819
Hours:
Weekdays: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last order at 5:00 PM)
Weekends & Holidays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last order at 5:00 PM)
Closed: Wednesdays
Parking: 2 spaces available next to the shop
For more about Ogawaen:
https://ogawaen.com/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ogawaen0610
(Interview and text by Pon | TOLOC Editorial Team)
