During my internship at Obubu, I wanted to bring a little piece of Japanese culture into our tea fields. In Japan, stamp-collecting (Hanko or Goshuin) is a beloved tradition. Whenever people visit shrines, temples, or even train stations for the first time, they collect a stamp as both a memory and a way of showing respect to the place. Travellers carry their stamp books everywhere, and each new stamp tells a story of where they’ve been.
Why not bring this tradition to Obubu?
Each of our tea fields is unique and important, and visiting and working on it for the first time always feels special. So, the Obubu Field Hanko Project was born!
Instead of traditional stamps, I created stickers, one for each Obubu tea field (as of August 2025). Whenever an intern or Assistant Manager visits a new field, they earn that field’s sticker. You can stick it in your notebook, stick it on their laptop for some Obubu flex, or keep it safe as a memento. To make it extra personal, I recommend asking the staff member, AMs, or teammate who joined you for an autograph. By the end of your time at Obubu, you’ll have a colourful collection that captures your journey and maybe some bragging rights if you managed to visit the most fields.
The design process was a true team effort. My co-intern, Mai (INTERN #202), brought her creativity to shape the look of the stickers, Assistant Manager –The Katrina-san flew the drone to capture stunning overhead shots of each tea field. Our beloved staff member Miwako-san helped by providing field details, the correct kanji, and the cultivars grown in each filed.
The final design shows a drone image of the field with Akky-san hugging it, his cartoon head popping up in different positions as if he’s running around the field. Each sticker also features the English name, kanji, and cultivar of the tea plants.
Now, visiting Obubu’s tea fields isn’t just a walk through the farm, it’s an adventure you can collect.
Enjoy Obubu!