From Corporate Chair to Green Tea Wrangler: Ryhan’s Leap Across the Pacific
Picture this: you’re in Singapore, the island of cleanliness, drones, and the occasional delicious laksa‑filled lunch, wondering about life beyond the Merlion‑shaped skyline. Suddenly, a friend messaged you from Kyoto, saying she’s swapping spreadsheets for leaf‑shapes. That’s Ryhan Mohd Yazid for you. At 29, she gave the Singapore corporate grind the boot and hopped across the world to grow green tea in the chill of Kyoto’s prefecture.
Spit‑and‑Grit: A Friend from Singapore Polytechnic
I met Ryhan back in the classrooms of Singapore Polytechnic—she was always the class’s “quirky” pick, the one who’d march to her own beat. Remember the times we’d debate whether the school’s kuala‑pus sea‑food was better than the food stalls on Geylang? That was her. Fast‑forward to 2019, after a career that felt more like a Monday‑to‑Sunday routine, she decided to unearth her inner farmer.
Why Green Tea, Why Now?
- Nature’s Calm: In a world that constantly demands “more, faster, louder,” the idea of nurturing tea leaves felt like a breath of fresh air.
- The #YOLO Pitch: “If you’re over 29 and still working a corporate desk job,” she wrote on her socials, “you’re missing your chance to do something wild.” And she did—no amount of hesitation kept her from traveling to Kyoto with a dream in her bag.
- Tea‑the‑medel Motivation: In Japan, she learned that taking care of tea isn’t just about economics—it’s about culture. And culture is a good lesson for the world.
Life‑in‑the‑Land‑of-the‑Bright‑Lights
When I caught up with Ryhan a couple of weeks ago, she was dropping facts on life in Japan, on the quiet streets of Kyoto, the perfect balance between tradition and modernity. She talked about the dew‑heavy mornings when the tea leaves glistened like tiny summer fireworks. She also confessed that when she thinks of Singapore—behind her hair, she misses the convenience, the crisp air, and the lack of any resident dragon lizards.
From Farm to Graduate School – The Next Chapter
Fast forward to last week – it’s not just her farming life that’s burning to a new blaze. Ryhan has decided to leave the humble green tea farm to take a massive leap: enrolling in a Master’s program at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Agriculture. Polite, “Yes, friends,” she told me. “I want to research the biology behind our tea leaves. Why not make the world green tea-great?”
The Wild, World‑Changing Path
So, who’s this modern day “green goddess” and what’s the lesson? Life is a brew of bold decisions, and Ryhan’s adventure reminds us:
- Don’t wait for your 30th birthday to decide you’re done with life’s possibilities.
- Every leaf on your path might be a new start—you just need to pluck it and let the wind guide you.
- Oh, and if you’re still stuck in a corporate world, consider sprouting out of that office cubic boxes. The world’s size doesn’t match the size of your ambitions.
Spiced with humor, kinda naive vibes, and a sprinkle of her personal story, we can see that Ryhan’s journey isn’t just about the tea farm. It’s about following your #YOLO vibes and telling the world you can move from a coffee mug to a tea kettle without missing a beat. If you’re still sitting on your corporate chair, maybe it’s time to put the keys on the “tea” side of the lock.
Farming is such an interesting and unexpected career choice. What do you like most about your job and what are the biggest challenges?
From Analyst to Agri‑Adventurer: My Unexpected Shift to Farming
Ever since I could hold a seed, I’ve dreamed of swapping spreadsheets for soil. Retirement? Just a fancy word for “time to plant my own roots.” My last gig was a research analyst in Singapore, piecing together how tech could level up farming across Asia‑Pacific.
Why I Bid Farewell to the Office
- Reality check: I was telling farmers to plug in gadgets while I never knew how to turn on a tractor.
- So I packed my bags, left the city lights behind, and headed for Japan… for a mere three months.
Hands‑On Farming Experience
In Japan, I rolled up my sleeves and worked on farms of every kind. From rice paddies to orchards, I learned the ropes—one clumsy step at a time. I’d get up early, check the irrigation, hear the buzz of harvest drones, and occasionally get my hands dirty (literally!).
The Big Challenge
Let’s be honest: my background in farming? Pretty much a nonexistent. I could grow a plant in a kitchen pot, but the field—well, that’s a whole new arena. But humor’s a great teacher: I took every mishap, laughed off the mistake, and turned it into a lesson.
So here’s the take‑away: You can give advice—yes, even with zero experience—but the best advice comes from getting your hands wet. After all, the future of farming needs fresh minds and a good dose of humility.
Taking up a job overseas takes a lot of courage. What made you decide to uproot your life in Singapore and seek this role?
From Volunteer to Full‑Time Farmer (and a Pandemic Twist)
That July‑October Adventure
Back in 2019, I dove head‑first into a three‑month farming gig from July to October. I wasn’t paid at first—just a volunteer, a curious learner, and a handful of harvested dreams.
When the Boss Became the Job Offerer
While I was still learning to clip the shed legs of a mushroom, I ran into the actual boss of the farm. He spotted my enthusiasm and had a sudden idea: “Hey, why don’t you join the team?” And just like that, I got a proper job offer.
The Big Uproot in December
- Relocated my life to a new town by December.
- Despite the shaky vibes of taking up farming on a full wage, I was ready to settle in.
Then the Pandemic Came.
Just as I was getting comfortable, the world seemed to decide to throw a curveball. The unknown “downshift” of 2020 landed me in an almost full‑time role—putting a huge dent in the excitement that originally propelled me.
Why I Stayed
It wasn’t just because I couldn’t find another job—though the economy had its own story—but because I still had so much to learn about the intricacies of Japanese farming. Plus, I genuinely loved it.
Reality Check: The Tedious Side of a Farming Life
The real kicker was that when you make a living out of something you love, the thrill of the farm may get buried under the endless chores, weeds, and late‑night Celsius checks. It felt like a trade‑off of a soul for survival—like I had to sell a bit of my love for the land to keep the lights on.
But as I continued day after day, the soil under my fingers, the taste of fresh produce, and the quiet of sunrise reminded me that the real reward was in the little moments that only a farmer can fully appreciate.
Tell us about your job and what you do on a day-to-day basis.
Meet the Green Tea Trailblazer from Wazuka
D‑Matcha Kyoto isn’t just a tea shop; it’s a playground for anyone who loves green tea in a whole new light. I’m a Japanese green tea farmer from the south of Kyoto, near Nara, and I’ve turned the humble leaves into everything from sweets to coffee, even a splash of cosmetics.
What’s Going On at D‑Matcha Kyoto?
- The Farm – I pick and process the freshest tea leaves.
- The Products – Beyond classic green tea, we churn out matcha‑based confectioneries, a specialty coffee, and recently, matcha‑infused skin care.
- The Experiences – Visitors can join in person or log on to an online tour. Think of it as a “taste‑and‑see” adventure.
- The Outreach – My day‑to‑day job? Managing our international brand: from the website to shipping, marketing, and even product development.
A Day in the Life of a Green Tea Maverick
I’ve got to keep all the gears turning, from tight crop schedules to tight shipping deadlines. If you think I’m juggling, you’re right—I’m the house‑keeping force behind every batch going out overseas.
What Makes Us Stand Out?
We’re not afraid to mix tea with up‑to‑date trends. From spicy matcha cakes to creamy latte blends, and goody‑bags of fans who care for healthy living, we’re catering to the younger crowd that loves the “green” vibe with a twist.
Why Follow Us?
Because each cup of D‑Matcha Kyoto is a passport to a cultural journey, and every product is an invitation to indulge in something that’s good for both your body and soul.
Drop in or Browse Online!
Curious? Visit our shop or gaze through our virtual tours to see how we’re turning simple tea into an experience worth sharing.
Tell us more about your company’s Adopt-A-Tree project and how are you involved with it.
From Pandemic Mishaps to Fresh Tea‑Tree Futures
When the world shut down, our tours went from in‑person hotspots to virtual snapshots. Travelers from across the globe used to stroll through our fields, munch on tea leaves, and brew their own cups right there. The pandemic forced us to ditch that delightful tradition—until we found a creative twist.
The Birth of a New “Farm‑to‑Glass” Story
- Online tea‑tasting sessions that let customers savor swirling aromas from their living rooms.
- Digital tours that wander up to the trees, include an interactive map, and let viewers watch the leaves rustle.
- And a shocking plot twist: our ideas were born from a virus.
Organic Farming: The Delicious Myth Busted
We’re not just dropping the “organic” label for a quick boost. That word doesn’t mean the tea loses its flavor. In a nutshell: we’re proving that you can grow berry‑sweet wonders without pesticides. The result? A greener, tastier harvest that even your grandma would approve of.
Replanting the Future, One Tree at a Time
Our newest venture? Re‑planting fresh tea trees that you can actually watch grow. Think of it as a live‑action gardening show, minus the 90° camera angles:
- Customers “adopt” a budding tree and keep tabs on its progress.
- We honor each adoptee with hand‑crafted emas—small wooden plaques for Japanese Shinto shrines.
- Every year, we roll out a brand‑new product crafted from the very trees they’ve nurtured.
Why This Matters
It’s a win‑win: we keep our community feeling close, even from a distance; and we show the world that sustainable farming can taste as good as ever. After all, growing fresh tea never felt so interactive—or so fulfilling.
How is life in Japan? Was it hard for you to acclimate to the culture? What are some of the biggest observations you’ve made from working with Japanese colleagues?
Living Abroad: My Wild Ride Through Japan’s Rural Jungle
Roller‑coaster? Nope, more like a jungle safari—and I’m the traveler in a tiger‑tamed country. After braving Indonesia’s coral reefs and the leafy fields of Flores (right next to Bali), I thought Tokyo would be a piece of cake. Spoiler: it wasn’t.
Zero Hierarchy, Zero Hassle?
- At first glance, Asian cultures seem like smooth‑streaming “no hierarchies” videos.
- Reality check: they’re peppered with unspoken rules that feel like secret language.
- To get what you want, you must navigate the labyrinth of polite nods, subtle eye-rolls, and back‑and‑forth hellos.
The Old‑Gold Resilience Break
If you think the elderly are just “geddy,” think again. In rural Japan, ninety‑year‑olds harvest coffee beans at the speed of light—like, a whole ton of tea a day. I was like, “Hold up, what’s that? Would you be a super‑human?”
- They’ve got more stamina than most of my gym buddies.
- They can out‑run, out‑think, and out‑eat my glorified morning smoothie.
Language: The Dance of Two Worlds
- In the countryside, it’s pure Japanese. No mixing in English or anything else.
- Back in Singapore, I dove into the language for about six months—just for kicks, not prepping for the move.
- When you’re in Japan, that “learning” phase feels like stepping on a different beat—more like audience interaction than rehearsed lines.
Bottom line? Japan’s rural life is not just about scenery; it’s a complete cultural remix. You’re either in tune with the rhythm or feeling like a tourist dancing in the wrong groove.
What do you miss most about Singapore and home?
Long‑Wave Homecoming Blues
It’s been almost three years since I left Singapore. I was nose‑deep in the routine of the foreign land when the urge finally hit—one year I could tahan (push through), two years I managed to keep a slight smile, but the third year? My brain screamed, “No more!”
Why I’m Crying Now
- Missing the cha‑cha vibe of Singlish at every corner.
- Long‑lived family and friends are far away.
- We’d forgotten how to run into each other on the subway and shout, “Hai, how are you?”
What I’ve Lost Along the Way
- Friends who just got married—whether their honeymoon photos glow on Facebook or their wedding cake drips onto the sofa.
- My cat’s final breath—there’s a sad little “screwy”‑mat emoji in my brain that still echoes “nyan‑nyan”.
- Two best friends who became proud parents—and I’ve had to pretend that I’m not doing a “baby‑sitting” intermission during study breaks.
- A list of every small milestone that used to be 2‑week postcard photoshoppable.
So, What’s the Reality?
When I finally step back onto Singaporean soil, I’ll get a taste of both worlds. I’ll feel torn between this new life I’ve carved out in the foreign city and the one looming behind my palm‑thumbs: the bustling food stalls of the wayside, the spontaneous “henk” (celebrations) in the cramped basement, and the scent of downtown hawker broth. I may just end up in a sweet‑sweet dilemma: “Will I be so glad to be back?” or “Will I back away?”
In a Nutshell
In short, three years feels like a marathon—long, exhausting, and full of moments that stick in my heart like sticky rice. One day I might just scream and laugh at the same time, gutted that the distance ticked away and happier that I’ll soon get to face‑to‑face with friends, family, and even the in‑shockful “Singlish” again.
We also understand that you’re pursuing your Masters. What are you studying and how does your work help you with it?
Why It All Began with a Cup of Green Tea
It all started when I pulled a heavy-duty translator’s toolbox out of the drawer, cracked open a book on Japanese green tea, and realized I could write and translate it all by myself.
Designing the Book With My Own Lens
- I created the layout from scratch.
- Even the photos? All mine.
- It was like setting up a tiny art gallery in my desk drawer.
This wasn’t just a hobby. It was proof that I could turn a passion into a tangible product.
Mid‑Journey Epiphany
While tagging pages and sorting colors, a sudden question struck: “What if I could dig deeper into farming and agriculture?” The idea of studying the fields that give me that aromatic brew felt too good to ignore.
Connecting Back to the Network
In Japan, networking is the secret sauce. I texted one of my former interviewees—yes, a fellow tea buff—and he slid me a direct line to professors at Kyoto University. Surprise! My present supervisor already knew my boss, so the referral felt like a domino chain set in motion. Classic word‑of‑mouth magic.
Graduate Thesis in Focus
The MyMasters? It’s a deep dive into the gurus and the grays of craft heritage production in Japan. I’m peeling back the social and technological layers that either let artisans thrive or bring their techniques to a quick end.
It’s a blend of hard science and soft emotion—because every harvest has a heartbeat and every heritage craft a story worth keeping alive.
Any advice for Singaporeans who are considering careers overseas?
Paperwork–Like a Japanese Ninja
When you first jump into Japan, the first thing that hits you hard is the paperwork. It’s a maze of forms, stamps, and a language that feels as if it’s written in invisible ink. I remember staring at a stack of documents, feeling like I’d just run into a fog‑filled bureaucratic labyrinth. Once in the middle of it, you may want to explode—slowly! The trick is to grit your teeth, roll your eyes, and keep pushing. Eventually, the tediousness calms, and you’ll grin when everything’s sorted.
Venturing Out Alone – The Friendship Factory
After the paperwork war, I decided to step out on my own and let the chill of new friendships settle in. I was lucky: the local community practically hugged me right away. That wasn’t random; it was a warm welcome from the community that just instantly “stitched” me into the fabric of their daily life. Not everyone experiences that Netflix‑style “welcome board” moment, but when it happens, it’s a plus.
Close‑Knit Team: Nara to the World
We started traveling together beyond Nara, and on every stop we’d say, “We’re all from Nara.” That little “lift” of closeness made the whole experience feel grateful—and effortless—while also demanding effort. Friendships don’t click the first time around; you gotta keep the ego in check, stay approachable, and stay curious.
- Get the paperwork done first.
- Leave the house, meet new people.
- Invite friends to join your local adventures.
- Keep a humble attitude.
Take a deep breath, lean into the journey, and your new life in Japan will reveal itself, letter by letter, plus a dash of humor and heart.
