We would like to present the ideals of the Japanese life-style, which will include high quality Japanese products and produce but will also combine the strengths of regional and other international ingredients and products that are inspire, or have been inspired by Japanese design and fashions. The founders both specialise in beverages with a wealth of experience. Frankie is from Saltburn and grew up in North Yorkshire and Tatsu is from Osaka. They have been regular visitors to Japan and 3 years ago started their online tea business 'Ippuku Tea'. We created the company because we both felt that no one had access to the quality of products we had. The green tea available in the UK was poor quality and being sold at an extortionate price and nobody really knew much about any other varieties of tea. Coffee and beer have had recent revolutions within their industries, now it's time for tea! Japan has it's own extensive history and culture of tea and we want to give people access to it.

What we'll deliver:

• Culture exchange with Japan
• Holding events or workshop of tea, coffee and Japanese culture related
• Making courtyard into Japanese style Tea garden
• Takeout service for lunches, sweets and drinks
• Downstairs: Downtown-Osaka style Izakaya bar - screening Japanese cinema and documentaries.
• Japanese lifestyle range in retail section: design products, accessories, books and homeware.
• Retail section for Japanese food and drink to encourage Japanese cooking

Why it's a great idea:

We can offer our expertise and a unique range of world quality tea, coffee, soft drinks, beer, sake and whiskey form Japan. As the only cultural representation in York is only 'Pan-Asain' cuisine we feel the locals and visitors of York would relish an authentic experience. In other cities across the UK there are wonderful Japanese restaurants and teahouses. But in the one region where tea is truly celebrated there is no one celebrating the world-wide rich culture and history of tea. There would be nowhere else in the UK quite like this, so we hope it could become a destination place for York visitors and especially York locals.

Steps to get it done:

• +£ 300 Opening Party (2 tickets) + 10% off annual Ippuku Tea House Member’s card (discount up to 3 other guests)
• +£100 Japanese Tea Workshop and Tasting (Up to 2 people) or 5 types of Ippuku Tea 10 tea bags
• +£100 Or 5 types of Ippuku tea 10 tea bags (Sencha, Genmaicha, Houjicha, Tamaryokucha and Koucha)
• +£15 "Thank you” postcard
• +£150 Invitation to Opening Party (2 tickets) Availability is up to 50
• +£150 Or Matcha Starter Kit (Tea Bowl, Matcha and Bamboo Whisk)
• +£1500 Opening Party (2 tickets) + Private Japanese Tea Ceremony at your preferred place (within 2h 20m drive from York)
• +£30 Ippuku Tea Sencha - Green Tea 10 Tea bags or 2 x Hot drink tickets
• +£50 Speciality Ippuku tea, either Matcha 30g or Gyorkuro 50g

The Opening Party will be held from 6:30 on 21 Oct 2017.