Interview with Tea Advisor Reiko Nogami
I spoke with the shop's tea advisor, Reiko Nogami.
I hear you used to be a coffee person. What made you switch to tea?
Nogami (honorific omitted)
I used to drink about 5 to 6 cups of coffee a day.
The initial trigger was when a friend invited me to a bus tour for a handmade tea experience. I met Mr. Eiji Miyamoto, who was the instructor on the tour, and he invited me to his tea class, which was the beginning.
From there, I started to learn seriously and acquired knowledge related to tea.
Please tell us about your journey from learning about tea to opening your shop.
Nogami
After finishing my studies under Mr. Miyamoto, I also attended two other tea classes. There were times when I was juggling work while attending classes.
Eventually, I obtained qualifications as a "Tea Advisor" and "Cafe & Tea Advisor" from a tea space organization. At that time, after years of studying tea, I thought, "Since I've obtained the qualification, maybe I should try running a shop."
I built a shop and residence, invited my son, and opened in February 2010.
What do you find appealing about tea?
Nogami
The more you know, the deeper and more interesting it becomes. Tea can be enjoyed not only as a drink, but the leaves after brewing can be eaten with ponzu sauce, and if dried, they can also be used as a deodorizer.
In fact, when comparing per 100g, tea has more caffeine than coffee. However, in reality, coffee uses about 10g per cup, while tea only uses about 3g. Therefore, when consumed as a drink, the caffeine content is lower in tea.
I think this unexpected aspect is also part of tea's charm.
If you're not familiar with tea, you might feel nervous in a specialty shop.
Nogami
Please feel free to come in and ask questions without hesitation.
I recommend all teas, but if you're unsure what to choose, just ask, and I will inquire about your preferences, such as "Are you okay with bitterness?" or "Would you prefer milk tea?" and suggest a cup that suits you.
Please give a message to the readers.
Nogami
Our pride is that "You can quietly enjoy tea whenever you come."
It's perfectly fine to stay for a long time. You can relax, read, study, or even practice the piano. I hope you can stretch your wings and enjoy a leisurely time in your own way.
Conclusion
The moment I stepped into the shop, I felt a sense of nostalgia despite it being my first visit, and I couldn't help but say, "Excuse me for intruding." It felt like visiting a friend's house when I was a child.
As Nogami said, there is no hurried atmosphere in the shop. The deliciousness of the tea, along with the comfort of wanting to spend time without worrying about the clock, was also impressive.
Please relax and enjoy a leisurely time with a cup that suits your taste, consulting with the staff without any pressure.
Data on TEA ROOM UP FIELD
| Name | TEA ROOM UP FIELD |
|---|---|
| Address | 178-18 Mizue, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-465-8817 |
| Parking | Available |
| Business Hours | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Irregular holidays ※ It is recommended to confirm by phone before visiting |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation Availability | Yes Reservations are accepted by phone |
| Seating | 18 seats, Counter: 2, Tables: 4 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | Child seats available |
