Meet Tsubasa Sano | Japanese Tea Instructor & Hosted Mobile Teahouse ”Engawa Kissa”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tsubasa Sano and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tsubasa, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m originally from Japan. It’s little bit rare in my generation, I grown up with a family included grandparents. I could get some traditional habits directly and naturally. One of them is tea time. Having tea many times per day is natural whole my life.

When I was a 3-4 years old, I started to serve tea for family dinner and it was honor job for me. My first job was café staff. I learned modern tea like caramel flavored black tea and latte arts. Then I used to work product planner and editor for 13 years. It was so much fun and inspirational. When I worked the magazine department of hobby, I had a chance to edit my preference theme. I choose “Tea” and edited 8 magazines. Working long time in the office as a common Japanese, tea helped me always. I made fresh brewed tea for me and my coworkers that gave me refreshed and inspirational.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
▪︎How did you get to where you are today professionally.

When I was thinking about my career in my thirties, I was impressed by the words my yoga teacher gave me. “I hope that I can use my individuality to help someone else.”

I thought deeply about what it means to me.

“ I like tea time, I like people, I like beautiful things, I like eureka, I’m nerdy, I’m serious, I’m easy to talk to, I like working with someone to create,,,”

So what are the experiences that have made me who I am today?

“Through my family’s tea custom, I have acquired the wisdom to live in good health and good mood, which is passed down from generation to generation. Through tea ceremony practice, I have learned how to take good care of my precious people, which has been cultivated for 500 years. I would like to share tea with more people,,,”

So how can I become a tea professional?

I decided to become a tea expert as a Japanese tea instructor. When I edited a tea magazine at my previous job, I had the opportunity to interview many tea professionals. Among them, I felt that a Japanese tea instructor is the one who can learn a wide range of knowledge that can be useful in the daily lives of ordinary people. Tea cultivation and tea making process, the many types and varieties of Japanese tea, the scientific basis, the appropriate brewing method for each, and the history of tea, which has lived among the common people, apart from the tea ceremony. I continued to learn about it and now I become a one of the professionals.

▪︎Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

It was difficult. Japanese tea instructors are required to have a wide range of knowledge and skills. At the time I took the exam, only 30% passed, meaning 70% failed the certification. (The current pass rate is 35%.) It took me three years to obtain it. Every time I failed, I went to the tea fields and asked tea farmers to show me their actual work and teach me, and I passed the exam by continuing to challenge without giving up. I appreciate all of my tea teachers.

▪︎What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way.

That what I know is only part of the story. There are many unique innovations, local cultures and histories in tea that cannot be found in textbooks.

▪︎What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I like the fact that Japanese tea has both the sophistication of the tea ceremony and the generosity of the home. At my mobile tea shop, Engawa Kissa, I try to make sure that the tea time is a mixture of both. As a professional, I’m thinking it is important I continue to practice both the tea ceremony and study Japanese tea instructor skills.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week trip with my best friends from Japan

-Tea at Shiloh, A tea house that gives me the opportunity having a Japanese tea class once a month. They are my friend and I admirer them. I feel empathy their philosophy. Their intimate and sophisticated space create a special bonds that is created when we gather around tea. Sharing a cup of tea together that not only moistens the throat, but the soul. I want share enjoying the tea time at Shiloh’s tea house with my bestie.

-Hightide Store DTLA, A stationery shop where give me the chance having a Japanese tea stand once a month. I want to introduce how much Japanese stationery and sundries are appreciated by the people of Los Angeles. And we’ll share enjoying select small business sundries and take a walk through the safe and warm community like a small village of ROW.

-Buy My Best Burrito at El Azteca and have a picnic at Lacey Park.

-The edge of Venice Beach. Walk barefoot and lie on the sand in the spring ocean with few people.

-And Pasadena, my beloved city. I’ll have a home party with my bestie invite the irreplaceable friends I’ve met in this city. I chat with the staff at Trader Joe’s, buy my favorite chili lime snacks and the new dill pickle potato chips. If there is a rambutan or cheese with mushrooms, which I saw for the first time in Los Angeles, I want to eat it with my bestie. I also add to my basket the tea champagne I’ve been wanting to drink on special occasions. I also buy Greek yogurt (for my Turkish friend who likes yogurt on her chips), colorful gummies (for my Japanese friend who will soon become a mother), and Mediterranean salad (for my Russian friend who take care of her health). Back at the apartment, we will sit the sofa at the terrace, chatting and watching the mountains turn red with the setting sun.

I love Los Angeles. I feel here is my second home town.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thank you so soo sooo much for having tea time with me!

My mobile teahouse, Engawa Kissa, is a place where tea time is brought to you. “Engawa” is the name of a space in a traditional Japanese house where visitors can enjoy a cup of tea for a moment. It is usually an open space facing a small garden, and anyone is welcome to drop in. Yes, “Engawa Kissa” appears only when there are people to share the tea time with me.

Once a month, at the downtown ROW pop-up is especially exciting.
I set up a tent in the morning to create an “Engawa Kissa” like an outdoor tea room. I boil plenty of water in a kettle, prepare tea leaves and a teapot, and sit down. Passersby are surprised by the sudden appearance of a teahouse. Then someone think “why not take a break and sit down on the seat.” I ask their today’s preferences and brew the best cup of tea. We enjoy our tea time while having a small talking. Then, refreshed, the person returns to his or her daily routine.

Having a cup of tea with someone who happens to be passing by is like a happy jack in the box.

What always surprises me is that everyone who stops by has one thing in common: they fill the tea space with peace, politeness, respect, and warmth. The small chatter is a treasure that gives me inspiration and wisdom. I receive countless treasures from people who tell me about their travels, the food habits of their hometowns, their latest fun things, their dog’s favorite things, the changes in the city of Los Angeles, and the gifts they have given to their loved ones.

Thank you so much all of you have a tea time with me!
If “Engawa Kissa” suddenly appears in front of you, please stop by again. Let’s have a cup of tea together.

Instagram: @engawa_kissa