CABIN PARTNERS

The green tea we serve in our cabins comes from the mountains of Kyushu region, Notsu, Usuki City in Oita Prefecture, where it has been lovingly cultivated for decades by the grandparents of one of our members, Takahashi family.

This region enjoys the richness of all four seasons. The misty mornings and clear, fresh air give the tea leaves their gentle aroma and deep flavor. Every May, during the tea-harvesting season, relatives and local community members come together to work in the mountain fields, side by side. There, a warm and supportive spirit of togetherness like one big family lives on.

The tea is named "Kicchomu Monogatari", after Kicchomu-san, the clever and witty hero of a local folktale passed down in this area.

Known for his quick thinking and playful spirit, Kichimushi-san outsmarts village troubles and landowners alike with humor and satire. Much like its namesake, this tea carries a gentle warmth and a quietly lingering charm that stays in your heart.

Many of the tools used in making this tea are handmade, developed over the years to handle the delicate tasks that mass-produced equipment simply can’t manage.

Each year, these tools are refined and slightly improved, a testament to the time, care, and ingenuity embedded in the tea-making process.

Yet the Takahashi family’s tea has never been sold in stores. It has been quietly passed from person to person, shared only through personal connections.

But times are changing. In 2025, faced with aging and falling tea prices, they made the difficult decision to let go of four of their five tea fields.

Across Japan, traditions like these, time consuming and rooted in craftsmanship are quietly disappearing.

At A Cabin Company, we believe the true value lies in these very traditions and small-scale efforts.

We aim to shine a light on the often-overlooked voices of primary industries, on the stories of humble producers, and on the hands-on work rooted deeply in the land. That is one of the roles our cabin hopes to play.

We invite you to take a moment to experience the time, care, and human connection poured into this cup of tea.

We believe you’ll find in it a taste that feels both nostalgic and unmistakably warm.

Weekends in Isumi are something special, especially when Smitty’s is cooking.

Smitty’s Fine Foods is a local culinary project led by a passionate couple who’ve made it their mission to transform the bounty of Chiba’s farmland into vibrant, nutrition-packed experiences. Working closely with nearby growers alongside their own garden, their kitchen champions zero-waste practices, seasonal produce, and deeply satisfying flavors that nourish the body and spirit.

Their lunch buffets are a beloved local ritual, colorful, hearty, and thoughtfully balanced. You’ll find unique veggie-forward cuisine, quiches, desserts, drinks and the kind of slow-prepared dishes that make you slow down, too. The flavors tell the story of the region - earthy, generous, and grounded in care.

For A Cabin Company, Smitty’s curates special seasonal goods just for our guests, from handcrafted snacks to preserves and pantry staples, all reflecting their signature commitment to soulful food and flavor. It’s part of what we call the farm-to-cabin experience, an invitation to taste the richness of Isumi’s soil, sea, and seasons, even from the quiet of your cabin.

Our collaboration with Smitty’s is more than a partnership. It’s a celebration of the land, the growers, and the artistry of nourishment. When you choose to try their food during your stay, you’re not only tasting a meal, but also a community’s rhythm.

Japarcana produces authentic Imabari towels crafted with remarkable care and quality in Japan. Sharing our passion for thoughtful sourcing, their towels enhance your cabin stay with comfort and a touch of Japanese tradition. The towels provided at our cabins are exclusively from Japarcana.

The towels we use in our cabins are custom-made in collaboration with Japarcana, a startup devoted to reimagining Japanese craftsmanship for modern life, beginning with one of Japan’s most iconic products: Imabari towels.

Imabari, located in Ehime Prefecture, has over 120 years of history in towel-making and is internationally renowned for its exceptional standards. Soft, highly absorbent, and built to last, each towel reflects meticulous craftsmanship and deep-rooted tradition.

Japarcana was founded by Yoshiharu Shiozawa, who grew up in Imabari. While living abroad, he gifted local towels from his hometown and was surprised by how deeply they were appreciated. That moment sparked a mission to bring the excellence of Japanese everyday goods to a global audience, starting with the towel he had known since childhood.

As a fellow startup, A Cabin Company shares Japarcana’s desire to honor Japan’s quiet craft traditions in a new way through thoughtful design, honest materials, and everyday beauty.

These towels are available not only for use during your stay, but also for purchase, whether you're a guest or not.

Take home the comfort, care, and craftsmanship of the cabin, one soft touch at a time.