Japanese Green Tea Co. at Sakura-Con 2019, Seattle WA

We had a booth at Sakura-Con 2019, held at the Washington Convention Center in Seattle, WA, USA, on April 19–21, 2019. It was a first-time experience for us, and we had lots of fun. Here are photos from the exciting event, including behind-the-scenes photos.

The atmosphere inside the convention center was electric from the moment the doors opened. Everywhere you looked, people were dressed in stunning cosplay, laughter echoed through the halls, and the energy was contagious. Our booth quickly became a small corner of Japan amid the colorful chaos — a place where visitors could pause, sip authentic Japanese green tea, and learn about our passion for bringing Japan’s tea culture to the world. It was heartwarming to see so many attendees curious about the origin, taste, and story behind each tea we offered.

What is Sakuracon?

Sakura-Con is the oldest and most well-attended anime convention in the Pacific Northwest.

This is our first attempt to have a booth at this conference. Since many of our customers are "Japan lovers" who love Japanese culture, including anime, they told us that they were going to this conference. Taking their suggestions into consideration, we decided to be part of this legacy expo for anime lovers to share the joy of loving Japan and Japanese culture.

The event itself is a vibrant celebration of everything Japan — from anime and manga to music, art, and traditional crafts. For us, it was more than just a business opportunity; it was a cultural exchange. We met people who had studied Japanese language, travelers who had visited Kyoto or Tokyo, and passionate fans who dreamed of going someday. Sharing authentic Japanese tea with them felt like building a bridge between our everyday tea culture and their love for Japan’s creative world.

Here is the link to their official website: Sakuracon 2019.

Japanese Tea Meets Pop Culture

At Sakura-Con 2019, our goal was to bring a piece of Japan’s authentic culture to an event celebrated for its creativity and imagination. Anime and green tea may seem worlds apart, yet both reflect Japan’s deep respect for detail, harmony, and tradition. Sharing matcha and sencha with attendees allowed us to create meaningful connections — turning quick booth visits into moments of discovery. For many, it was their first real taste of Japanese tea, and watching their reactions reminded us how beautifully culture, flavor, and curiosity can come together.

Photos from Sakuracon 2019

We had lots of fun at the event. I will share highlights from the event. It was wilder than any Halloween Party I have attended.

OK. First of all, let me share my favorite of all. Here is a picture I took with a character from Spirited Away. He was walking like the actual character in the movie!

 Before the Event (Behind the Scene photos for setup)

The Seattle Convention Center is located right in the middle of downtown.

When we arrived for setup, they already had the banner and other signs installed.

This is how it looked before the event.

And this is during the event. Quite different, huh?

We got our registration badges. It looked really nice with the laminate! Each year, there is a contest for the drawing, and only one gets picked from all the entries. I do like the design.

Here are Photos of booths during preparation

and here is our booth before setting up.

It is quite an effort to set up the booth. Kudos to all the other vendors; many of the booths looked amazing. A lot of effort goes into this.

And here is how our booth looks!

and me. : ) 

Our surprise this time was a new product "Matcha & Cashew", Thanks to everyone, it sold out on the first day! I will keep you posted when we officially carry these.

Photos During the Event

And here are people waiting to get into the show before it opens. Isn't it amazing?

And here are photos during the event. 

People at the booth (when not too busy...) thank everyone for stopping by our booth!

And here are some of my favorite costumes, and I had the courage to ask for a picture with me. (Thank you!)

We really had a great time at the event, and I was so excited to meet you all who visited our booth. We are planning to attend next year again. I hope to see you again soon!

The Connection Between Japanese Tea and Anime Culture

Japanese green tea and anime may seem like two very different worlds, but both represent the heart of Japanese creativity and tradition. While anime expresses Japan’s artistic imagination through visuals and storytelling, tea culture reflects its calmness, mindfulness, and respect for craft. At events like Sakura-Con, where thousands celebrate Japan’s pop culture, sharing authentic green tea becomes a way to connect deeper with the country’s spirit.

Many anime fans are already fascinated by Japanese daily life — from the food and festivals to the subtle rituals seen in their favorite shows. Offering them a real taste of Japan through tea helps bridge that curiosity with authenticity. Whether it’s a soothing matcha that appears in anime scenes or a refreshing sencha enjoyed during a quiet moment, tea allows fans to experience Japan not just through screens, but through flavor, aroma, and tradition.

Conclusion

Sakura-Con 2019 was more than just an event — it was a celebration of shared passions and cultural connections. As a first-time exhibitor, we were deeply moved by the enthusiasm and kindness of everyone who stopped by our booth. From curious newcomers tasting matcha for the first time to long-time fans sharing their love for Japanese culture, every interaction reminded us why we do what we do. Seeing so many smiles and hearing stories from visitors who truly appreciate Japanese traditions made the experience unforgettable.

The success of our new Matcha & Cashew and the overwhelming response from attendees have inspired us to continue bringing authentic Japanese tea to events like this. We are already looking forward to the next Sakura-Con — with new teas, more surprises, and the same spirit of friendship and discovery. Thank you to everyone who visited us in Seattle and helped make our first Sakura-Con experience so special. We can’t wait to see you again!