Hayabusa

Ben’s story

Ben, the founder of Hayabusa Kuranda, grew up in Tokyo, where his parents ran a traditional wagashi shop. A professionally trained wagashi artisan, he still makes these Japanese sweets using recipes passed down by his father.

Since opening Hayabusa Kuranda 13 years ago, Ben has shared Japanese culture with the local community through his craft and hospitality. Now semi-retired, he continues to make wagashi behind the scenes while Miwako and the team run the shop.

Japanese food, wagashi and matcha

Stop in for a Japanese-style meal or enjoy matcha with a seasonal wagashi sweet. The menu reflects the care given to balanced flavours and presentation in Japanese cooking, with sweets made using traditional techniques.

Japanese tea experiences with Miwako

Formally trained in Japanese tea ceremony, Miwako offers several ways to enjoy *usucha* (thin matcha), from a simple matcha set to a formal ceremony on tatami.

– Matcha set with wagashi – Enjoy matcha served with a traditional Japanese sweet.
– Table Ryaku-temae – Experience a Japanese tea ceremony at a table. Reservation required.
– Formal tea ceremony on tatami – Take part in a traditional ceremony using a *kama*, a Japanese tea kettle. Reservation required.