Zehra Hayırcı
Intern #196
Turkey (currently in Germany)
27 April – 17 July 2025
Instagram: @days.of.zehra
Coming from Turkey, a country where black tea is woven into everyday life, joining Obubu was more than just about tasting Japanese tea—it was about experiencing an entirely different way of tea. In Turkey, tea accompanies everything. We drink it at breakfast, in meetings, during work or study, while visiting friends, or when we’re deep in thought. Through life’s highs and lows, a glass of black tea was always there. When I moved to Germany with only one suitcase, I still made space for my beloved Turkish teapot. Even in my lonely student dorm, black tea was my companion.
But enough about Turkish tea, let me tell you how my internship in Obubu changed my perspective.
Before coming here, I was already drawn to Japanese culture. I had studied and worked in Tokyo for a year, and even had my elopement wedding there. Yet these three months in Wazuka opened a completely new door for me. I am not only talking about Japanese tea but also to a quieter, more grounded way of life.
I had never lived in a village before—let alone a Japanese one. My first shock? “Wait… the convenience store is 20 minutes away?” But then something clicked: maybe we don’t need that much in life. We don’t need to live next to shopping malls. With good company, a tent over your head, and a warm cup of tea, you realize how little is truly enough. I was surprised and deeply grateful to experience the abundance of less.
At Obubu, I found myself doing all sorts of things: managing the tea shop, guiding tours, cleaning tea dust from machines, writing code for the website, scheduling Instagram posts, or carrying tea bags to the factory. I loved the variety that our weekly schedule allowed us to experience every aspect of tea. Now, I am looking back and compare these three months with my regular office work and I cannot believe I could squeeze so much in a day!
I remember the day when I harvested for the first time in Aoimori field with Kayo-san and Marilena (AM #11). It was beginning of the spring, we harvested the tea, processed it, packaged it, and then sat down to drink it. It was the first time I had seen the full journey from leaf to cup, and every step I was part of felt like a story I’ll never forget.
I also began to find joy in the everyday rhythm of life at Obubu—daily walks around the tea fields, watching movies with chamomile tea and friends, reading the same book with others and discussing it after, journaling, and simply getting lost among the plants. These small, quiet moments grounded me.
I was constantly amazed by the passion of the people around me. Not just for tea, but for life. I’ve met interns traveling the world with their sourdough starters on their backpack. People carrying interesting and unique musical instruments to the tea field. I’ve visited passionate craftsmen in the village dedicated their life to pottery or wagashi. Meeting other people who live with such care and purpose inspired me. And I must give a special shoutout to the incredible women of Obubu. I had imagined farming to be male dominated area, but here I worked alongside strong, independent women doing both physical and intellectual work with determination and courage. Carrying heavy tea bags to driving on the crazy curvy roads of the mountains, passionately waiting until the middle of the night for the first tea of the year to caring for a abandoned kitty with warm heart. I am so grateful being part of this community.
People often say Obubu teaches you something. But for me, it was more like Obubu helped me unlearn. It helped me let go of fixed ideas about who I am, what I can or can’t do, what I should be doing, or what’s “good” for me. I could just sit, drink tea, and have meaningful conversations. That was enough.
Thank you everyone being part of this journey!
Take care and please enjoy today!