How Gourmetmealjournal Began
Gourmetmealjournal was founded in 2012 in Shibuya, Tokyo, by a small group of wellness practitioners, artisans, and writers who shared a common belief: that the daily rituals at the heart of Japanese culture hold the key to a calmer, more purposeful life.
What started as a curated import service — connecting people outside Japan with authentic hinoki bath products and ceremonial matcha — has grown into a full lifestyle platform, offering products, guides, and a growing community of wellness-minded people across six continents.
We remain a deliberately small team. Small enough to know every supplier by name. Small enough to ensure that every item we stock aligns with our values of quality, authenticity, and respect for Japanese craft tradition.
The Values We Live By
Everything we do is guided by three principles rooted in Japanese philosophy.
Monozukuri
The art of making things with care, craftsmanship, and pride in the process. We partner only with makers who embody this spirit.
Omotenashi
Japanese hospitality in its truest form — anticipating needs before they are expressed. Our customer experience is built on this principle.
Shizen
A deep reverence for nature. All our products use natural, sustainably sourced materials, and our packaging is fully biodegradable.
A Team Rooted in Tokyo
Our core team of eight works from a small studio in Shibuya, just a short walk from Yoyogi Park. We are wellness practitioners, product curators, writers, and Japan enthusiasts — united by a belief that the way you start and end your day defines the quality of your entire life.
We collaborate with a network of regional artisans, holistic health practitioners, and traditional craftspeople from Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hokkaido. Many of our supplier relationships span several generations of the same family workshop.
If you have a question, a wholesale enquiry, or simply want to share your wellness journey, we would genuinely love to hear from you.
Contact Our Team