Discover the Best Tea Ceremony in Tokyo in 2024: A Guide
A cup of tea is not just a leaf-strained beverage to sip in leisure - it is a cultural standpoint inherent to many countries around the world.
From the clay pot masala ‘chai’ of India to the three rounds of Maghreb of Morocco to the classic British afternoon tea, it is a drink that has connected the whole world and yet remained uniquely diverse to each culture.
In Japan, it most likely occurred during the early Heian era, when priests and delegates to China brought back the custom of drinking tea along with Zen Buddhism.
It became an intrinsic part of physical well-being and spiritual healing. Over the years, through centuries of evolution and experimentation, it arrived at what we know as cha no yu, the Japanese tea ceremony today.
Understanding Sado - Sacred Japanese Tea Ceremony
Spanning nearly 500-700 years, the Japanese tea ceremony originated in the Muromachi Period (1333-1573) and is rooted in Zen-inspired rustic simplicity, reflecting the spirit of wabi-sabi. Named Sa-do or Cha-do, meaning ‘The Way of the Tea’, it is a ceremonial way of preparing and drinking green matcha tea typically in a traditional tea room with a tatami floor.
The ritual is not only about savouring the drink but also offering the guests a sense of calmness in the hospitality, away from the fast pace of life. From brewing the tea to pouring it and stirring it with a bamboo whisk, the entire process of Japanese tea making in ‘Sado’ is considered an art, including the room and the artefacts therein.
Different Types of Tokyo Tea Ceremony Experiences
The age-old Japanese tea ritual generally involves sitting in the tea room or a Japanese garden, getting to wear the traditional kimono, interacting with the host, and enjoying either a full meal or a serving of wagashi, a local sweet, before getting your hands on the piping-hot cup of matcha tea in Tokyo.
Tokyo offers several types of tea ceremonies - formal, casual, and for differently-sized groups (couples, families of four, a group of 15-20, and more). An informal ceremony with a small group of 4-8 people can last for 30 minutes to an hour, whereas the formal one with a full kaiseki meal can go up to 4 hours.
Japan also celebrates season-specific tea ceremonies, such as the Kuchikiri-no-chai during early November or the Akatsuki-no-chai on cold winter mornings.
Top 6 Best Tea Ceremonies in Tokyo
As a tourist, if you are looking for unique cultural exposure in the vibrant capital of Japan, indulge in an authentic tea experience in Tokyo at one of the several places holding the ceremonies.
Tea Ceremony Experiences by airKitchen
AirKitchen offers a wide range of intimate culinary experiences, where you can not only savour but also learn to make the tea and associated food items and engage with the culture hands-on. You can expect all hosts to speak English.
Duration: 1-4 hours, depending on your pick
Cost: SGD 20-150, depending on your pick
Kimono Tea Ceremony Tokyo Maikoya
The Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony in Tokyo is available in multiple locations in the Asakusa area. Wear a traditional Japanese kimono with intricate details, get your hair styled to go with the attire, and learn to make green matcha tea using conventional utensils and recipes. The course is offered in English.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cost: Starts from SGD 75 per person (Max. 15 people per course)
Happo-En
This time-honoured Japanese tea house in Minato City boasts acres after acres of a traditional Japanese garden with 500-year-old bonsais, as well as exquisitely furnished indoors. You can enjoy Japanese matcha tea, sweets, and a full meal course at Happo-En amid the tranquil serenity of this location.
Address: 1-1-1 Shirokanedai, Minato City, Tokyo 108-8631 (map)
Hours: Only Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 11am to 3pm
Cost: Around SGD 100 per person
Shizu-Kokoro (Asakusa)
Located between Asakusa and Kappa Bashi Kitchen Street, Shizu-Kokoro’s Chado Workshop serves a cup of Sakura tea as a welcome drink, watch a 10-minute introduction video, meditate in the tea room, and learn about the various tea bowls from different regions of Japan as well.
Address: 4-19-9 Asakusa, Taitoku, Tokyo 111-0032 (map)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10am to 5:30pm (Book time slots 6 hours prior)
Cost: Around SGD 42 per person (Max. 6 people per course)
Do-Edo (Kabukiza)
At Do-Edo, get your hands on the old-school tools for Japanese tea making - cup, bamboo whisk, bowl, etc. - and learn how to make matcha from expert professionals. At the end of the session, take home a brand-new green tea kit as a complimentary gift.
Address: 4-12-15 Ginza, Kabukiza Tower 5F, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061. Located 3 min. walk/direct access away from Higashi-Ginza Station, Toei Asakusa Line/Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line (map)
Duration: 45 minutes
Hours: Open daily, 10am to 7pm
Cost: Around SGD 55 per person (Max. 10 people per course)
HiSUi Tokyo (Ginza)
At HiSUi Tokyo, you can learn a variety of traditional Japanese cultural arts, such as Sado (tea ceremony), Waso (kimono-wearing), Shodo (calligraphy), and Batto (samurai experience). In the ‘Sado’, you will receive an introductory lecture on the tea room decorations, watch a tea-making ceremony, and learn about the etiquettes while savouring wagashi and matcha tea.
Address: 4-3-13 Ginza, Koizumi Building 5F, Chuo Ward, Tokyo 104-0061 (map)
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Cost: Around SGD 118
Tea Ceremony in Japanese Gardens
Tokyo’s Japanese Tea Gardens are often excellent locations where you can enjoy a sip of matcha and learn about the rituals. Shinjuku Gyoen, Hamarikyu‘s Nakajima-no-chaya teahouse, and Happo-En’s Muan tea house are all top-notch spots to unwind at the end of the day. Enjoy the sweeping views of wisterias and cherry blossoms, koi ponds, and zen architecture while letting the warm drink soothe your soul.
Enjoy Handpicked Cultural Experiences with Pelago
If you want a more specialised tea-tasting experience tailored for you and your family, Pelago has got you covered.
Tea and Sushi - A Heavenly Combination
Enjoy preparing four types of Japanese sushi with your host Yukiko, a certified vegetable sommelier, and savour it with a serving of miso soup. After the meal, dress up in a kimono and enjoy your cup of matcha and local sweets.
Experience a traditional Shinto Wedding Ceremony
Make memories worth a lifetime with your loved one at the picturesque Sakura Shrine or Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine, seeped in the timeless elegance of a traditional Shinto wedding. Deck up in the classic wedding kimonos and accessories, participate in a traditional wedding ceremony, and get your photos taken to preserve the grace of the occasion.
Go Tea-Picking in Mount Fuji
Put yourself in the shoes of a local tea farmer and go leaf-picking at Shizuoka's top tea garden, Obuchi Sasaba, wearing the traditional garb, and get to take home some as souvenirs. The experience also includes a 1,800m cable car ride to Ao Terrace at the mountain-top in Izu Panorama Park, from where you can cherish a 360-degree view of Mount Fiji and even Suruga Bay.
Tips and Etiquettes
Depending on where you are, foreigners are not always expected to adhere to the conventional rules of a tea ceremony strictly. However, you should still exercise them out of respect for the country and the culture.
Remove your shoes. You may be offered indoor slippers for the ceremony.
Do not wear too flashy or revealing clothing, even if you are not opting for the kimono.
Avoid stepping on the center of the mats in the tea room.
Wait for instructions and your turn to be served.
Sit in seiza style inside the tea room.
Turn the cup slightly to avoid drinking from where the last guest’s lips touched in case of a shared cup, for the sake of hygiene.
Last but not least, be soft-spoken during the ceremony and show appreciation for the host’s effort.
Wrapping Up
If you believe in accumulating experiences rather than checking off attractions from your bucket list on your vacation, enjoying a serving of bancha tea or Japanese mugicha at a ceremony might just be your 'cup of tea'. Make sure to include a tea experience in Tokyo in your itinerary!
Commonly Asked Questions
How much does a tea ceremony cost in Japan?
A traditional tea ceremony in Tokyo can cost between SGD 20-150.
What type of teas are best in Japan?
Japanese roasted barley tea, bancha, sencha, and matcha tea in Tokyo are the most popular.