​Help us open a Japanese Cafe & Bar in Oakland!

CJ is a Bay Area native & customs broker, and Seika is a Japanese tea selector® & immigrant who has called Bay Area home for the past 10 years. From UC Berkeley to finding teas together in Japan, we've been import partners since 2024.

For the past two years, we've been serving teas and hosting parties, so we want to open a physical location where we can continue to share all the unique teas & delicious stuff we find from Japan - matcha, coffee, miso, onigiri, & more - here in Oakland.

Aobi (青火) means “blue flame.”

"Blue" represents California ocean & uniqueness.

"Fire" represents Japanese warmth & good luck.

​Our goal is to bring Japan to your table, share cultures & unique experiences, and make Oakland vibrant. This city is bouncing back, and we want to be part of the fire!

The funds raised will go directly toward essential costs like paint, wall improvements, equipment & plants to create a calming atmosphere, and the necessary licenses & permits to make the cafe a vibrant spot for the community.

Costs:

-paint & walls ($6,500)

-decor, lights, signage & plants ($15,500)

-fees, licenses & permits ($8,000)

-cafe equipment, electronics & DJ systems ($12,000)

TOTAL: $42,000