Japanese tea and Maastricht: entrepreneurship at any age
For many internationals, moving to a new country is a big step. It can feel exciting, but also uncertain. For Miho Inoue, founder and CEO of Cha no Cha (the ultimate tea), the move from Japan to the Maastricht Region became the start of a completely new chapter in her life.
Originally from Hokkaido in Japan, Miho spent most of her life in the Tokyo and Yokohama area. After her husband passed away, she began to think differently about the future. ‘One day, the idea came into my mind,’ she says. ‘I can live wherever I want to live.’ That idea eventually brought her to the Maastricht Region.
Miho had visited the Netherlands many times before moving. Her son studied at the Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) and later began working and teaching in the region. During her visits, Miho fell in love with Maastricht. She describes it as the perfect size: welcoming, lively and easy to enjoy.
‘The people are lovely,’ she says. ‘I really enjoy Maastricht.’
The region also reminded her of another passion: languages and culture. Miho studied French for more than 15 years and even moved to France at the age of 70 on a student visa to continue learning. Her experience abroad gave her confidence that it was never too late to begin again.
Starting a business
Last year, she officially moved to Maastricht on a residence permit self-employed person under the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty and launched her company, Cha no Cha, which sells artisan Japanese green tea from the Yame region online. Before leaving Japan, she carefully prepared her business plans, visited tea producers in the Yame region of southern Japan and made sure everything was ready. Her story is a strong example for international students and graduates who may be thinking about building a future in the Maastricht Region. Starting a business in another country is not always easy, but Miho believes that support and courage make a big difference. ‘When I arrived, I did everything by myself,’ she explains. ‘Though, there was much information online and the systems were clear.’
Practical support of local organisations
She also found support through local organisations and events for entrepreneurs. The Kamer van Koophandel, KVK (Chamber of Commerce) advised her to connect with local starter support services, and she attended conferences about taxes and entrepreneurship for internationals in the Netherlands. The StartersCentrum Limburg (StartersCentre Limburg Foundation) is the first point of contact for starting entrepreneurs and freelancers in Limburg and offered her valuable advice and relevant information. For internationals considering entrepreneurship after graduation, Miho’s experience shows that the Maastricht Region offers opportunities to grow professionally while also building a meaningful personal life.
Settling into the Maastricht Region
Connection has played an important role in her journey. Although she arrived alone, Miho quickly started building friendships through everyday activities. She joined a Kumulus ballet class, where she met local people and other internationals. ‘They are very helpful,’ she says. ‘If I ask something, they are very nice.’ She has also connected with artists and creative professionals in the region through her son’s network. These social connections helped her feel at home and gave her confidence as she adapted to a new country and culture.
For anyone arriving in the Maastricht Region, this is an important message. Building a life in a new country often begins with small steps: joining a class, attending an event, speaking to neighbours or exploring the city. The Maastricht Region has many opportunities for internationals to meet both locals and other newcomers.
Miho is also making an effort to integrate into Dutch life by studying the language every day. She practises Dutch with classmates and in shops around the city. ‘I’m still learning,’ she says with a smile, ‘but people are very kind.’ Her advice for newcomers is simple: be open, meet people and have courage. She believes the Maastricht Region is especially welcoming for internationals. During a recent conversation with another Japanese resident who had lived in the area for nine years, the woman described the region as ‘a very, very nice area to live’. Miho agrees completely.
A feeling of community
Her feeling of community is also connected to her business mission. Through Cha no Cha, Miho hopes to share not only Japanese tea, but also a sense of wellbeing and cultural exchange. ‘Most people have a habit of drinking coffee,’ she says. ‘I want people to know different tastes and different cultures.’ She speaks passionately about the health benefits of Japanese green tea, especially for supporting health maintenance and beauty. In Amsterdam, she has seen growing interest in Japanese tea culture and hopes to introduce more people in Limburg to these traditions as well.
For the Expat Centre Maastricht Region community, Miho’s story highlights something important: internationals bring new ideas, businesses, cultures and energy to the region. At the same time, they are also looking for friendship, support and connection. Whether you are a student considering staying after graduation, an entrepreneur thinking about starting a business or a newcomer searching for community, Miho’s message is encouraging. ‘It doesn’t matter what age or background,’ she says. ‘Just have courage.’
Passport
Nationality: Japanese
Lives in: Céramique, Maastricht, NL
Company: ChanoCha
Works in: Céramique Maastricht, NL
Hometown: Hokkaido, Japan
Favourite spot: Onder de boompjes in Maastricht
Miho especially loves spending time near the stairs of the Hogebrug on the Stadspark side, leading down to the area known locally as “Onder de Boompjes”. Watching people gather there in the evenings makes her happy. ‘People enjoy life there,’ she says. ‘I really love to see the people outside, enjoying nature and interacting with each other.’
Discover authentic Japanese tea and join a Japanes tea-party.
%20mihoinoue0812 [at] gmail.com (Contact Miho Inoue for more information )
You're bursting with enthusiasm about your business idea, what now? How do you find clients? Do you need a business plan? What about taxes? Do you have to register with the Chamber of Commerce right away? What's a good hourly rate? In short, what's involved if you want to start your own business or have already started? StartersCentrum Limburg can personally help you with this.
The StartersCentre Limburg Foundation (StartersCentrum Limburg) is an independent foundation that is subsidized by participating municipalities in the province of Limburg. Every starter and entrepreneur from Limburg can participate in the group meetings and the StarterEvents for free. Do you live or start in one of the partner municipalities? Then one-on-one advisory meetings (free) are also possible. The services are also available (free) for participants in the projects of the StartersCentrum.
