Interview with owner Ouchi Akiyoshi
We spoke with Ouchi Akiyoshi, owner of Tea Room aura.
How the business got started
Could you tell us how you came to open Tea Room aura?
Ouchi (surname only)
I used to work for a company, but after traveling alone around Hokkaido as a student, I developed a longing to run a coffee shop and thought I would like to do something after my children became independent.
Actually, my wife and I started thinking about opening a cafe when I was in my early 40s, and from my early 50s we began preparing, including visiting log houses.
As for my connection with tea, I became interested in tea leaves grown in Osa-cho, Niimi, and for about three years I attended tea classes taught by a man named Miyamoto Eiji, which were held at RSK Rose Garden at the time.
My wife had been baking cakes since our children were little, and they were very popular with her mom friends and acquaintances, so we thought about opening a shop serving tea and chiffon cake.
We began making concrete plans to open the business about three or four years before my retirement, but in the meantime, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and people around us were worried.
But I felt, “I don’t know how many more years I’ll be able to do this,” so I left my company upon retirement in April 2021 and opened this shop in April 2022.
Their commitment to tea
Could you tell us what makes your shop special?
Ouchi
We source our tea from “Early Morning” in Niimi.
It’s a well-known shop in the world of tea, so tea lovers may already know it.
The secret to its delicious taste lies not only in the tea leaves, but also in how the tea is brewed. We carefully brew each cup after receiving an order. By the way, our popular Earl Grey, known for its wonderful aroma, makes the most of the natural flavor of bergamot and contains no added flavorings.
Our chai is not too sweet and is a unique blend that brings out the aromas of cinnamon and ginger.
We adjust our fruit tea so that you can fully appreciate the flavor of the tea, too. One of our distinctive features is that whatever you order, you can enjoy the tea’s natural deliciousness.
Also, because we want to serve things that are good for your health, we make sure to offer safe, wholesome products without preservatives and the like.
Our chiffon cake is made with homemade soy milk prepared using pesticide-free soybeans sourced from Oita Prefecture. By making our own soy milk, which is richer than store-bought varieties, we were able to create the fluffy, moist chiffon cake we had envisioned.
We don’t use baking powder; instead, we carefully mix the eggs to make the cake rise.
Another thing we care about is that many of the ingredients used in our shop are grown in Okayama Prefecture.
For example, the strawberries we use from winter through early spring come from Miyake Fruit Farm, run by a classmate from middle school. We also source the peaches and grapes served from summer through fall directly from local farmers.
The pumpkin used in our chiffon cake is actually grown in our own field behind the shop. We get our flour from a local milling company, and use eggs from Takata Egg Farm.
A warm and welcoming interior
The interior, with its warm wood, makes a strong impression.
Ouchi
This shop is a log house built with cedar from Kumamoto Prefecture. We designed it to be a place where you can feel the warmth of the wood.
We actually painted the shop’s floors and the tables made from cherry wood ourselves. We still take care of daily maintenance and minor repairs ourselves.
There is a fireplace inside, and in winter, the wood-burning stove alone keeps the shop comfortably warm.
Tea enjoyed beside the cozy fireplace is exceptional, with a special deliciousness that comes only in the cold season.
I was also drawn to the handmade feel of the menu and the interior decorations.
Ouchi
The menu, signs around the shop, and the lettering and illustrations on the stickers attached to our takeout packaging were all handwritten by a friend of my wife.
I feel that the warmth of handwriting, which you can’t get from a computer, has become one of the shop’s charms.
Recommended menu items
Do you have any recommended menu items?
Ouchi
Our recommendation is the “Cream Tea Set.”
It’s a plate featuring fluffy, moist chiffon cake made with homemade soy milk, scones served with homemade jam and homemade clotted cream, and tea of the day.
If you’re not sure what to order, we recommend this.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Ouchi
There is no time limit at our shop, so please feel free to come and enjoy a leisurely cup of tea with your friends or family.
Dogs are welcome on the terrace, so you can also enjoy it as a relaxing place to spend time with your beloved dog. We recommend visiting on weekdays or in the morning, when it’s generally quieter.
We look forward to welcoming you.
From the Writer
After the interview, what struck me once again was that “Tea Room aura” is not just a place to enjoy tea and chiffon cake, but a space filled with the warmth and care of the owner and his wife.
You can go for delicious tea with friends, treat yourself to a fruit parfait, or enjoy a chat with the owner.
The lovely atmosphere, tea, sweets, and time spent chatting with the owner are all so relaxing that I find myself lingering every time I visit.
One of the things I look forward to is trying aura parfaits that change with the seasons.
Why not stop by for a visit?
Tea Room aura details
| Name | Tea Room aura |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-15-44 Hiroe, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 090-2095-1454 |
| Parking | Available |
| Hours | 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and irregular days Updates are posted on Instagram |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Seat reservations not accepted Takeout reservations: please inquire |
| Seating | 14 seats (4 counter seats, 8 table seats, 2 terrace seats) |
| Smoking | Entirely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Families with children | Children and strollers welcome |
| Website | Tea Room aura |
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