What can a cup of tea teach us about Japan—and about ourselves?
This week, the Real Gaijin AMA podcast welcomed a fellow Japan-based writer and student of all things tea—one of Japan’s most popular beverages for centuries.
Meet Alex Dwyer.
Who is he?
Alex Dwyer is an American writer and tea enthusiast. He is the creator of Tea w/ Dweez, a Substack publication dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of tea, including the people, places, and traditions surrounding it.
Alex’s passion for tea has taken him around the globe, from the Darjeeling region in India and China to Japan’s renowned tea-producing areas, including Yame in Fukuoka Prefecture. He has developed an international perspective on how different societies cultivate, prepare, and appreciate tea along the way.
Before settling in Japan, he explored the tea scene in Los Angeles and contributed an extensive guide to the city’s best tea destinations to L.A. TACO.
Since moving to Kamakura in January 2023, Alex has continued to document his discoveries and reflections on Japanese tea culture, everyday life, and the value of slowing down.
Through his writing, Alex approaches tea as more than a beverage. To him, tea is a gateway to cultural understanding, meaningful human connections, and a more deliberate way of experiencing the world.
On the agenda
In this conversation, we discussed what makes Japanese tea culture unique and how it compares to other traditions. We also talked about why Alex believes that tea should be accessible to everyone, not just connoisseurs.
We talked about his journey to Japan, his time living in Kamakura, and how tea can help us navigate a world obsessed with productivity and constant self-improvement.
Of course, we also touched upon the important question: Is Japan’s matcha craze bringing people closer to authentic tea culture—or turning a centuries-old tradition into just another fashionable commodity?
Key takeaways
* Tea is an invitation to slow down, not another productivity hack: In a world obsessed with efficiency, Alex argues that drinking tea should be an intentionally unproductive experience. Instead of rushing through another task, tea encourages us to disconnect, appreciate the present moment, and rediscover the simple pleasures of everyday life. Sometimes, doing nothing is the most valuable thing we can do.
* Japanese tea culture is deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism: It arrived in Japan from China during the Kamakura period and became closely associated with Buddhist monks. Initially valued as an aid to meditation, tea evolved into a cultural practice emphasizing mindfulness, hospitality, and contemplation. As Alex explains, the traditional Japanese expression cha-zen ichimi (茶禅一味)—tea and Zen are one flavor—captures this enduring relationship.
* Matcha, sencha, hojicha, and other teas share a surprising connection: Despite their dramatically different flavors, appearances, and aromas, these teas all originate from the same plant species: Camellia sinensis. The primary distinction lies in how the leaves are cultivated and processed, through methods such as shading, steaming, roasting, or grinding. Understanding these differences reveals the remarkable diversity of Japan’s tea traditions.
* The global matcha craze risks obscuring what makes tea special: Matcha‘s explosive popularity has transformed a centuries-old Japanese tradition into a fashionable global commodity. While Alex welcomes the growing interest, he questions the emphasis on convenience, commercialization, and productivity. He is concerned that consumers may embrace matcha‘s perceived health benefits while overlooking its deeper cultural significance and contemplative qualities.
* A simple bowl of tea can change the direction of your life: Alex’s journey from music journalism in Los Angeles to China’s tea culture ultimately brought him to Kamakura, Japan. A memorable experience drinking matcha at Hokokuji Temple inspired his decision to relocate there with his wife. His story illustrates how curiosity, travel, and seemingly ordinary encounters can lead to unexpected personal transformations.
Timeline
Substack does not yet have the functionality to allow you to use a link to jump to a specific section like YouTube’s “chapters.” Please refer to the times listed below to navigate through our hour-long conversation. Thank you for your understanding.
Pro tip
Although it’s generally considered best to brew matcha and sencha at around 60°C, you can’t really go wrong when boiling hojicha. Remember, you heard it here first! Just kidding.
Suggested references
Green with Milk and Sugar: When Japan Filled America’s Tea Cups by Robert Hellyer (Columbia University Press)
#TeaWithDweez #TeaCulture #matcha #RealGaijin #リアル外人
ICYMI
Please check this out! If you’ll be in Tokyo on Thursday evening, November 5, join Alex, Mark, and a small group of Japan-based Substack writers and readers for a meetup. Get your tickets before they sell out!
If you found this post valuable, please click the ❤️ button and restack it. Restacking helps more than you’d think! Thanks!
Thanks for reading Real Gaijin! This post is public so feel free to share it.
Please note that you can subscribe to Real Gaijin for free. If you are so inclined, you can also purchase an annual subscription for a relatively small fee.
However, I understand that even the lowest level of annual subscription allowed by Substack may seem too high for many. If you just want to buy a coffee for Real Gaijin (or maybe a green tea), you can also make a small donation here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/realgaijin
All levels of support - including just liking a particular article and/or leaving a comment - are very welcome. Thanks again for reading.
While Real Gaijin lives in Substack, you can also find Real Gaijin on a few other platforms (listed in alphabetical order).
https://www.instagram.com/real_gaijin_on_substack/
https://www.threads.net/@real_gaijin_on_substack
https://www.tiktok.com/@real.gaijin
https://x.com/Real_Gaijin_
https://www.youtube.com/@RealGaijin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-wilt-kennedy/
Get full access to Real Gaijin at realgaijin.substack.com/subscribe
