Everything I once assumed has been taken apart and reshaped through these experiences.
Before Obubu
In the past, I resisted change. I thought that if I could just find something repeatable, I wouldn’t have to keep thinking so much. But that way of living only led me to overthink even more. When life lacks flow, something inside gradually dries up. Choosing to leave the city I had lived in for so long and come to Obubu for three months became an important milestone for me. I chose this internship because I was looking for a different rhythm of life and a chance to reconnect with nature, tea, and community. It felt like a place where I could learn through both hands-on work and human connection.
During
Meeting each person here has felt like encountering different molecules, creating unique reactions and transformations. Compared to before, there has been much less anxiety and speculation, and much more acceptance and curiosity about what might come next. In my interview video, I said that I am an introvert. Living together with everyone, I’ve not only explored the environment but also come to understand my own states and “colors” more deeply.
During the internship, I experienced many aspects of tea farming and daily life in Japan. Through weeding, shading, and farming, I felt the rhythm between tea and nature, which brought a kind of peace and calm I had never experienced before. I used to worry that I might be romanticizing farm life, but thankfully I was able to adapt and truly enjoy it. Writing my project also helped me learn more about Obubu’s past and the history of tea field renewal. Seeing how it has been built little by little by many people gave me a strong sense of continuity and cycle, a genuine exchange of spirit that led to deep personal transformation.
Life in Japan has also been full of memorable moments. I remember attending the Easter gathering organized by Marusya, where everyone simply enjoyed being together without unspoken expectations or social pressure. On Earth Day, surrounded by everyone, I cut my hair back to a style I really love. These small but meaningful experiences, along with many mentor–mentee moments, have had a lasting impact on me.
This internship has changed me by helping me become more open to uncertainty, more curious about the future, and more comfortable with both connection and letting go when needed. I feel less anxious and more willing to embrace change.
Beyond
Looking ahead, I hope to continue exploring the relationship between tea, people, and environment, and to carry this experience into my future creative and life projects. If I were to recommend this internship, I would say that it is not only about learning tea—it is about learning a new rhythm of living, building meaningful connections, and discovering parts of yourself you may not have met before.
I originally wanted to write a thank-you to each person, but there are simply too many to name. All I can say is: I’m really glad I came to Obubu.
