峠茶屋
Pronounced “toh-geh chah-yah”
Mountain Pass Tea House
Every journey deserves a pause.
The word touge means mountain pass, and chaya means teahouse. Together, Touge Chaya refers to a teahouse along a mountain pass, where travelers could stop for tea and rest before continuing their journey. That simple idea is at the heart of Touge Chaya: taking a moment to pause, wherever life takes you.
A Story Between Japan and Canada
Growing up in Japan and now living in Canada, I've come to appreciate the beauty of both cultures. Japan is where my roots are, and Canada is where I've built my life. Both places have shaped who I am and what I value.
Touge Chaya brings those two worlds together. Through my connections with Japanese producers and my life here in Canada, I hope to share Japanese tea, craftsmanship, and traditions in a way that feels welcoming and natural.
My appreciation for Japanese tea began long before Touge Chaya existed.
Growing up in Japan, matcha was a familiar part of my life. My grandmother, who studied the Japanese tea ceremony, introduced me to it when I was young. Through her, I learned that preparing tea is more than making a drink. It is a moment to slow down, focus on the present, and appreciate simple things.
As I grew older, this way of enjoying tea stayed with me. Wherever life took me, preparing a bowl of matcha brought a sense of calm and connection to my Japanese roots.
I believe Japanese tea can be a small ritual in everyday life. A few quiet minutes in the morning, an afternoon break, or a peaceful moment at the end of a busy day.
Matcha tea leaves in Uji, Kyoto, before harvest.
Every tea at Touge Chaya is thoughtfully sourced from producers in Japan. I personally taste and select each one for its quality, character, and the experience it offers, whether prepared traditionally or enjoyed in a more everyday way.
The packaging follows the same philosophy. It is carefully designed to feel beautiful and special without unnecessary layers or excessive wrapping. The focus remains on the quality inside, the care behind every leaf, and the ritual of preparing it.
Original Touge Chaya artwork inspired by Kootenay Pass in British Columbia, bringing together Japanese-inspired characters and the Canadian mountain landscape.
I also create the original artwork featured throughout Touge Chaya. Inspired by my Japanese roots, mountain journeys, and life in Canada, each illustration brings a piece of the Touge Chaya story to life.
Why I Choose What I Choose
I believe a good shop should offer more than products. It should offer knowledge, experience, and choices you can trust.
I choose the teas, teaware, and ceramics at Touge Chaya carefully — things I genuinely enjoy, use, or believe are worth sharing. I look at quality, usefulness, beauty, and value.
I also believe in being straightforward. If one product is better suited to what you're looking for, I'll tell you, even if it's not the more expensive choice. And if something has a limitation, I'd rather explain it than pretend it doesn't.
My hope is that you'll find something here that brings a little enjoyment to your everyday life, whether it's a favourite cup of Japanese tea or a piece of teaware that makes preparing it feel special.
Original Touge Chaya artwork depicting a quiet moment along a mountain pass, inspired by the Japanese tradition of pausing for tea during a journey.