Mission Statement
The green tea trend is sweeping the globe, and now more than ever there are fans of matcha, sencha, hojicha, and other Japanese teas all around the world. This green tea is grown in areas such as Kyoto (Uji) and Kagoshima, and is highly sought after all over the world. However, with such high demand, a very important aspect of this beverage is overlooked and forgotten. Green tea is a significant part of the Japanese culture: grown, harvested, processed, and packaged with much care and dedication by tea farmers that work relentlessly to keep this industry alive and thriving.
The goal of 一滴水 (Ittekisui) is to connect tea farmers with end users around the world. We work to provide a variety of Japanese green tea with high traceability, allowing our customers to see the fields their tea was grown in, as well as experience the thought and care that goes into making the drink they love.
We also distribute the necessary utensils and tools to properly make Japanese green tea, as well as provide tutorial content on how to use the items to make the best tea possible. With Ittekisui, not only are you receiving high quality Japanese green tea, you are also getting full immersion in this beautiful part of Japanese culture.
"Ittekisui” is a phrase taken from ancient Buddhist teachings. “Itteki” means “one drop” and “sui” means “water.” Just as one droplet causes ripples that travel far, affecting the surface of the water, so the actions and efforts of one person can affect many and change much. We strive to be that one droplet, working to provide better, healthier, higher-quality tea to the world. We strive to educate others in the ways of Japanese culture, in which tea is not a trend, but a lifestyle. We strive to make each cup you drink an experience; whether it be a well-deserved break, a respect for those who work to provide the product you love, or an appreciation for the culture of Japan.
Team
Founder, CEO
Naoya Yoshizumi
一滴水 Founder and CEO. Born in Ueno (now Iga) city in Mie prefecture, Naoya Yoshizumi currently resides in Nara, Japan. He prides himself in his understanding of global supply chains and his ability to create them. He specializes in partnerships and sales strategies that meet the needs of foreign countries and connect them to Japan.
After graduating, he worked at the Mie Prefectural Office for ten years, where he focused on countermeasures against population decline and the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, as well as commerce, industry, and labor support. Following this he worked at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), where during his secondment period he was transferred to the headquarters in Tokyo, as well as their London branch. Here he was in charge of overseas expansion support and the promotion of foreign direct investment (FDI) by European companies in Japan for three and a half years.
Upon returning to Japan, he joined a global AI Start-up and an Australian consulting firm before starting Ittekisui Ltd. in 2025.
Co-Founder
David Rohrer
David Rohrer is the co-founder of 一滴水. He was born in Nara and raised in Kansai, Japan, and is fluent in both English and Japanese. He first became interested in tea while running tours in Uji, and has since then worked on various tea farms in Nara and southern Kyoto as he gains more knowledge and appreciation for this aspect of Japanese culture. He currently lives in Yamazoe Village, where he works on tea farms during the harvesting season and as a language teacher, interpreter, translator, event coordinator, and tour guide during the off-season. He prides himself in being flexible and adaptable to many situations, and sticking with things until he gets them right. Now he is working to promote Yamazoe Village to Japan and to the world through its delicious Yamato green tea.