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“Wandering Taipei with Mr. Miura”

A little while ago, at the end of May, I went to Taiwan to meet tea farmers and teachers I work with. Along the way, I met up in Taipei with Mr. Miura, a reporter famous for his passionate book claiming "Iwate Prefecture is the most beautiful prefecture in Japan." It's astonishing that he visits Taiwan four times a year for his reporting.

At the Morioka Taiwan Happy Project festival, which started its activities during the pandemic, we even collaborated by continuously brewing tea during Mr. Miura's talk session. So many people came to listen, and the tea orders kept coming, which I was very grateful for. I didn't even have time to drink water, and after the event, I was down for a day with what felt like heatstroke (It's ironic that I prepared all that hot water but couldn't get a single drop for myself!).

This time, I felt a strange sense of connection to be able to meet him in Taiwan. We had a light breakfast and decided to have some tea. We stormed a Taiwanese morning market and filled our bellies at Mr. Miura's favorite douhua shop and a Taiwanese-style breakfast place. Is he serious about wanting to sell douhua at the Mikoda Morning Market? Haha.

After that, we moved to a nearby tea shop to enjoy some tea. We compared Oriental Beauty tea and Gaoshan oolong tea, savoring the elegant mood. After all, I think having someone brew tea for me is what I enjoy the most.

Although it was only for a few hours, we had a fulfilling time, slowly discussing things we don't usually get to talk about. Mr. Miura had a flight around noon, so I saw him off to a taxi, and we said our goodbyes.

Come to think of it, I remember that when I was a student in Taiwan, when friends or family visited, even the city scenery looked special. This city, which I've visited countless times, seemed to show me a new face.

①At a Taiwanese morning market

②Douhua

③Teashop

④Oriental Beauty Tea (front), Gaoshan Oolong Tea (back)