WAZA & Friends is an opportunity to visit Japan with like-minded individuals. It is coordinated by WAZA and includes a structured itinerary to experience Japanese craftsmanship. The first WAZA & Friends visit to Japan will take place from 2-15 November 2025.

We explore the intricate world of Japanese matcha, tracing its journey from shaded tea fields to stone mills and into the cups of global consumers. The article explains what makes matcha distinct—both nutritionally and culturally—from other teas, outlines its meticulous five-step production process, and examines the current global demand bottleneck, particularly in the stone-milling stage. We also break down grading systems, cultivar differences, and the role of tea masters (chashi), while addressing the challenges of organic cultivation and the risks of counterfeit matcha. We hope that WAZA customers and readers can appreciate matcha not just as a trend, but as a centuries-old craft rooted in care, tradition, and terroir.

Sleeping on a Japanese futon (布団) is a quintessential experience when visiting Japan, and many people fall in love with this humble, yet elegant sleeping solution that can be packed away when not in use. In South Africa, you can order your custom made futon from WAZA Japan Store. We work with Takaokaya Futon in Kyoto to make and ship futon to South Africa - usually once every quarter. Learn more about the benefits of sleeping on a futon here.

Tatami is a traditional Japanese flooring made from woven igusa (soft rush), valued for its comfort, natural air-purifying and deodorizing properties, and ability to regulate temperature and humidity. It’s hypoallergenic, aesthetically calming, and versatile—supporting multiple functions like working, relaxing, or sleeping. WAZA supplies traditional tatami, or modern tatami options which include modular, easy-to-install mats suitable for Western homes, offering a serene, low-maintenance space for rest or connection.

Japanese food is not just sushi. We present a selection of WAZA's favourite eateries during a 2016/17 new year's visit to Japan, which showcases the mouthwatering variety of food and drink options available.