Our Story

Born from friendship. Rooted in Japan.

TSURU began with three friends who met as students in Tokyo — and a shared belief that wellness should never mean giving up what you love.

01How it began

Three students in Tokyo. A friendship of more than ten years.

Kohei, Yuki and Meira met as students in Tokyo. In the years that followed, life took them in different directions — architecture and business, entertainment and cross-cultural communication, hospitality and people leadership — but the friendship stayed, across Tokyo and Manila.

When Meira moved back from Japan to Manila, the three finally said it out loud: let’s build something together. TSURU was the answer.

We named it after the crane, 鶴 (tsuru) — Japan’s ultimate symbol of longevity, grace and harmony.

02Why we started

Wellness shouldn’t mean giving up what you love.

The world is full of delicious food and drinks. Yet so many people hold back on the things they love for the sake of their health — and many who love coffee or matcha simply can’t have caffeine. That never sat right with us.

We want every encounter with TSURU to make each day a little more enjoyable, and a little healthier.

Our Vision

To be the Philippines’ leading modern Japanese wellness brand, enriching everyday lives with authentic, natural health products that cultivate vitality, harmony and longevity.

Our Mission

To bring the finest Japanese health and wellness traditions to the Philippines through thoughtfully sourced, high-quality products.

おもてなし · OMOTENASHI

“We believe wellness should be gentle, accessible, and intentional.”

The TSURU founders

03Our first pop-up

Chosen at Mitsukoshi BGC — and chosen again.

At Mitsukoshi BGC, guests could choose from several Japanese cafés and matcha specialists. Many chose TSURU — and many came back as regulars.

We believe it was the small things: the careful, detailed process we prepared behind every cup. Our caffeine-free matcha was a particular favourite, loved by people who thought they had to give up matcha.

More pop-up cafés — and our own store — are on the way. We can’t wait to see you there.

04Why it matters

Small daily upgrades, not drastic changes.

Filipinos are becoming more proactive about preventive health. TSURU offers authentic Japanese teas — including caffeine-free, zero-sugar Matcha Plus+ — as simple swaps for high-sugar drinks, without asking you to change your whole life.

85% of Filipino Millennials and Gen Zs prioritise healthspan — quality of life — over simply living longer.

64% are actively pursuing wellness to prevent illness.

Source: Manulife Philippines study.

The Founders

The people behind every cup

Three friends from Tokyo, now bringing Japanese wellness to the Philippines — together.

Chief Executive Officer

Kohei Sato

Born and raised in Tokyo, Kohei is an entrepreneur with a background in architecture and design. He is the founder and CEO of Digital Build Inc. in Japan and leads TKY Communications Inc. in the Philippines, helping Japanese brands enter the Philippine market.

At a tea ceremony class, he rediscovered the quiet beauty of Japanese culture — and wanted to share Japan’s secrets of longevity and good health with the world. At TSURU he leads strategy, brand, store design and marketing.

PR & Marketing

Yuki Sonoda

Japanese-Filipino and a native speaker of Japanese, English and Tagalog, Yuki loves both of her home countries. Her dream is to share Japanese wellness from the Philippines she loves, so that Filipinos can enjoy it too.

Having represented Japan on the international pageant stage, she brings the same discerning eye to TSURU — every product in our collection is one she has personally chosen.

Director

Meira Chua

A Japanese-Filipino people and operations leader with eight years of experience helping startups and SMEs grow, including five years leading HR and operations for a Singapore-based agency serving six markets.

Her approach was shaped at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. Japanese five-star omotenashi is something you can’t experience anywhere else — the beauty of caring for every detail, even the ones no one sees. When a guest says thank you, both sides leave a little happier. That is the hospitality she brings to TSURU.

The Journey So Far

Where we are, and where we’re going

Tokyo
Three students meet

Kohei, Yuki and Meira become friends as students in Tokyo.
The decision
Meira returns to Manila

Reunited in the Philippines, the three decide to build a business together.
Now
Pop-up at Mitsukoshi BGC

Many guests chose TSURU — and came back as regulars.
Every day
Always tasting

We keep tasting and testing. Our goal: to bring you many more products to try.
Next
More pop-ups and our own store

More TSURU cafés are on the way.
Our vision
A complete Japanese wellness brand

Beyond matcha and tea — Japanese wellness for every part of daily life.