The SANCHA Story
A Love Letter to Japan, to Healing, and to the Joy of Sharing
Some stories begin with a recipe. Mine began with a feeling.
My name is Samutarō, and I'm the founder and baker behind SANCHA.
Before any of this — before the cookies and the careful mixing of Japanese flavours into cookie dough — there was Tokyo. There was a city that moved like water, and within it, the quiet, extraordinary world of wagashi (和菓子): Japanese sweets that are less about indulgence and more about intention. About the season. About the person you're sharing with.
I fell in love with wagashi slowly. A mochi from a tiny shop in Shinjuku, a cup of hōjicha on a rainy afternoon in Kyoto, the way a single sweet could hold an entire feeling — warmth, nostalgia, care — without saying a word.
Born in Lockdown, Rooted in Cambridge
When the world paused in 2021, I found myself back in the UK with time, a kitchen, and a longing I couldn't quite name. I started baking and I began experimenting with Japanese flavours and Western baking techniques.
What started as a way to fill the void that the pandemic and homesickness has created evolved into a small-batch, handmade cookie bakery rooted in Bournemouth, inspired by my time and experience in Japan.
Now, after a very chaotic period, I am based in Cambridge and baking again.
My Philosophy: Slow, Authentic, Intentional, Handmade
At SANCHA, I believe a cookie can be more than a treat. It can be a moment of stillness, a small act of care and an opportunity to pause during our chaotic and busy lives. But most importantly of all, a chance to share something really special with people, build a connection and show gratitude for life itself.
Every batch is made by hand, in small quantities, with ingredients chosen for their quality and character. We use premium chocolate, imported Japanese matcha, organic kinako (roasted soybean flour) and fragrant hōjicha, sourced from a responsible source. Provenance is incredibly important to SANCHA and I hope it is important to you too because your choices matter.
I don't rush. I don't scale for the sake of scaling. I bake with the same spirit that wagashi is made: with a deep reverence for nature, respect for the ingredients, and with the person receiving them at the heart of it all.
For You, Whoever You Are
Whether you're a long-time lover of Japanese culture, someone curious about new flavours, or simply looking for something a little more thoughtful to gift — SANCHA is for you.
These cookies are a love letter. To Japan, to the art of taking things slow, and to the quiet joy of sharing something made with care.
Thank you for being here.
Samutarō
Founder & Baker at SANCHA
Ready to explore? Browse our full cookie range and find your new favourite — whether it's the depth of hōjicha, the gentle earthiness of matcha, or the warm nuttiness of kinako.
