THE WELL was founded with a simple vision:
to bring truly authentic Japanese tea to the world.
At the time of our founding, the global matcha boom had not yet begun.
Many Japanese teas available overseas lacked quality,
and there were very few Japanese-origin brands.
Born and raised in the Yamashiro region of Kyoto, a historic tea-producing area,
and with experience in both English communication and the wellness industry,
we saw an opportunity to bridge this gap.
This led to the creation of IMA KYOTO—
a brand dedicated to delivering high-quality, organic Japanese tea.
As the global matcha boom grew, so did issues of quality inconsistency and lack of transparency.
Many products were sold at high prices without clear sourcing or standards.
We believed we could do better—
by sourcing directly from trusted farmers and delivering safe, authentic tea at fair prices.
This is how our wholesale business expanded.
At the same time, we believe that the true value of Japanese tea lies not only in its taste,
but also in its culture and experience.
Wazuka, where we are based, offers a one-of-a-kind landscape of tea fields.
It is a place where people can truly connect with nature and tradition.
Through tea field tours, cultural programs,
craft experiences with traditional artisans,
and visits to places such as Kennin-ji Temple Seirai-in,
we aim to share Japanese tea as a living culture.
