an award-winning and one of the leading creative agencies in Hong Kong, since 1998.
One of the charms of Japanese tea making lies in the exquisite balance between nature and humans. It is neither completely left to nature nor an attempt to force control over it—they seek the “harmony” that lies in between. For example, coverings are used in the tea fields to control sunlight, and meticulous attention is paid to temperature and humidity.
Approaching the Depth and Effort of Japanese Tea Making
When you deeply understand the manufacturing process of Japanese tea, you will be surprised by the differences from oolong tea and black tea. For example, oolong tea is completed simply by boiling after being fermented to a certain degree.
The other day, I visited Yame City in Fukuoka Prefecture and had the opportunity to see the preparation site for tea picking.
The changes happening now are not a passing trend, but a structural change.
The phenomenon of “Northbound Consumption” indicates the heightened geographical liquidity of consumer behavior, while simultaneously serving as a sign that the identity of the Hong Kong market is being redefined. This flow cannot be stopped.
Now that “Northbound Consumption” has completely become a daily routine, the very business structure of Hong Kong is being tested.
Until now, Hong Kong has been supported by its overwhelming geographical advantage: “convenient transportation” and “people coming from all over the world.”
The Reality of “Weekends in Shenzhen” Recently, a phrase often heard in conversations among Hong Kong locals is, “I went to Shenzhen over the weekend.” I feel this is not a temporary boom, but proof that a new lifestyle habit called “Northbound Consumption” is taking root.
Tourists Closing Their Wallets” The style of tourists coming to Hong Kong is clearly changing. The “explosive shopping” (bakugai) scenes seen in Mong Kok or Tsim Sha Tsui just a few years ago have completely faded. Instead, what stands out are light-footed travelers walking the streets with smartphones in hand. Their objective has shifted from “buying things” to “where and how to spend their time.”
📜 The New Hierarchical Structure Created by an Invisible “Immigration Policy” The Japanese government explicitly states that it is “not promoting an immigration policy,” but the current visa system effectively possesses a framework that allows the “relocation of the wealthy.” For instance, Investor/Business Manager visas and Highly Skilled Professional visas allow for relatively easy long-term stays if certain asset or income criteria are met.