In the movie "Mr. Baseball," Tom Selleck's character complains to his Japanese girlfriend that Japan copies everything. She quickly replies, "We may copy it, but we make it better." After a visit to Ashbys of London, located near Akasaka-Mitsuke Station, one would have to agree.
Let's start with the original: Established in London in 1850 by James Ashby, this venerable tea firm has ensured its lofty status with tea aficionados worldwide by selling only top-grade blends of black tea from Kenya, Ceylon and Indonesia.
Now, the copy: Established in 1999, Ashbys of London in Tokyo does in fact serve Ashbys teas, sell Ashbys tea caddies and feature the distinctive Ashbys "A" in its logo. From there, thanks to the imagination of Tomoaki Nishiyama, a businessman who loves his tea, the "make it better" part comes in.
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