A tea ceremony is a tradition that is steeped in Japanese history. While Kyoto remains the center of the tea ceremony, Tokyo also offers its fair share of tea ceremonies. Joining this traditional cultural activity and watching the ingredients being prepared with care and all the ceremonial rules of serving, will be a great experience. You will gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and it will, without a doubt, create unique memories. As a travel agency, we often receive requests to experience a Japanese tea ceremony. Here we introduce some places in Tokyo that allow you to enjoy a traditional tea ceremony experience.
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What is Sado, Tea Ceremony?
Tea ceremony, Sado in Japanese, is a Japanese cultural activity that involves preparing matcha green tea (抹茶) and serving it in a specific traditional way. The ritual of tea drinking was first used by Buddhist monks in the Kamakura period (1192 – 1333) to stay awake during their long meditation sessions. During the 16th century, tea became a symbol of status amongst warriors and its popularity spread to all levels of Japanese society.
There will be serval types of tea ceremony experiences you can choose from in Tokyo. Just watch the tea ceremony prepared by a professional and try matcha with Japanese sweets or participate the ceremony and learn the essence of it, or you can just enjoy the taste of matcha without the ceremony! Choose the experience by your purpose and get into the deep world of matcha green tea.
Best Tea Ceremony Experiences in Tokyo
AIRKITCHEN TEA CEREMONY EXPERIENCES
Through airKitchen, you can choose from many tea ceremony experiences around Tokyo that offer an intimate cultural exchange experience. The tea ceremony experiences are hosted by Japanese locals, and most of them take place at home. This type of experience not only exposes travelers to the tradition of the tea ceremony but also gives them a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Japanese people. Many tea ceremony experiences also include Wagashi making or Sushi making, enabling you to also learn how to make these traditional Japanese dishes before enjoying them together with your host.
When you are looking for an intimate, local experience, we recommend this option. airKitchen gives both travelers and hosts the unique opportunity to engage deeply with culture.
Depending on your chosen experience prices vary between ¥2,000 – ¥10,000 per person
*All hosts speak English.
Find tea ceremony experiences around Tokyo
byFood Tea Ceremony Experiences
If you haven’t heard of byFood, they are a wonderful website that offers various different food related things such as restaurant reservations, as well as fun and informative experiences throughout Japan. They have many great tea ceremony experiences in Tokyo ranging from private authentic tea ceremonies to traditional sweets making. Have a look at the experiences below as you’re sure to find something to your liking!
A Tea Ceremony (Sadou), Matcha, & Wagashi-Making in Tokyo
Traditional Tea Ceremony in Ginza
Private Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony in Meguro
MAIKOYA (Asakusa)
Kimono Tea ceremony Maikoya is located in the Asakusa area and is a perfect tea ceremony option for those who want to have a traditional hands-on tea experience. Visitors can wear a kimono, learn about the culture and history of the tea ceremony, listen to the meaning and symbolism of the tradition from the hosts, watch a demonstration, and finally make their own matcha tea. The hosts speak perfect English and they are very friendly.
Maikoya
Duration 90 minutes
Participate in traditional tea ceremony and wear a kimono ¥8,500 per person
Other options: Private luxury tea ceremony in a zen garden or group tea ceremony
HAPPO-EN (Shirokanedai)
This traditional tea house is located in a fascinating garden in Minato City. In the garden, you can see over 500 years old bonsai trees. The garden is very calming with its sophisticated display of trees, stones, water, and sand that are well composed to reproduce nature. In this calm environment, you can enjoy Japanese matcha green tea and sweets.
HAPPO-EN official website
Only available on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Opening hours 11am – 3pm (Reservation is not accepted)
1,100 yen per person
Tel: 03-3441-8888 (10am – 7pm)
ASAKUSA JIDAIYA (Asakusa)
Located 1 minute walk from the famous Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa, this place offers several traditional Japanese experiences. You can choose to either watching or participating in the process of tea ceremony. You can enjoy taking pictures during the experience so that you can keep the wonderful memory after the trip. Also, you can choose to wear kimono during the tea ceremony. Get the full experience in a traditional way!
ASAKUSA JIDAIYA
Duration 30-50 minutes
Take a part in the tea-serving ¥3,300 per person (min. 2 people)
See tea-serving ¥2,750 per person (min. 5 people)
*Minimum age is 6 years old
SHIZU-KOKORO(Asakusa)
Shizu-Kokoro is conveniently located between Asakusa and Kappa Bashi Kitchen Street and offers a tea ceremony in an authentic tea room. They have a workshop to introduce you to the basics of the way of tea and also they will show you a short movie to give you a better understanding before the ceremony.
Shizu-Kokoro
Duration 90 minutes
¥4,180 per person
Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5.30pm
DO EDO (Kabukiza)
This modern cafe is located on the 5th floor of Kabuki Tower where Kabukiza, a Japanese traditional play theater is situated. Surrounded by numerous bamboos to boost your inner zen, you learn how to make and drink tea. It is good for beginners and if you prefer sitting on the chair instead of kneeling on the Tatami mat floor during the tea ceremony, we recommend this place. Also, you receive a green tea kit to take home when you join the lesson!
DO EDO
Start 10.30am, 12am, 1pm, 4.30pm, and 6pm every day
¥6,000 per person (Including Matcha tea kit set of ¥4,270)
TOKO-AN (Hibiya)
In the ceremonial chamber inside the Imperial Hotel, you can watch as their tea is prepared traditionally. The hotel itself is built in Western style but once you enter the Toko-an, you will see the traditional style tea room, including tatami mats.
TOKO-AN
Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm
¥2,000 per person
*Closed on Sundays and National Holidays
HiSUi Tokyo (Ginza)
It is a really nice tea room located in the middle of Ginza. There are also different types of Japanese culture you can experience besides a tea ceremony such as Kimono Dressing, Japanese Calligraphy, Samurai Swordsmanship, etc.
HiSUi Tokyo
Duration 30-45 minutes
¥10,000 per person (min. 2 people)
Nezu Museum (Aoyama)
Besides a tea ceremony experience, you can also enjoy matcha at a cafe or special place. Our great recommendation is the Nezu Museum. Inside the museum, there is a great cafe where you can enjoy the matcha overlooking the beautiful garden.
Nezu Museum @ NEZUCAFÉ
¥1,300 – http://www.nezu-muse.or.jp/jp/guide/cafe.html
Japanese Gardens
When you are looking for just a great cup of tea in a beautiful environment, we recommend you visit one of the following places. Of course, you can get your cup of Matcha even at Starbucks, but these places make the tea drinking much more special and zen!
At these places, you can enjoy matcha in a Japanese Garden:
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden @ Rakuutei
¥700 – https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/en/#highlights - Rikugien Garden @ Fukiage tea house
¥510 – https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/teien/en/rikugien/ - Hamarikyu garden @ Nakashima tea house
¥510-¥720 – https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/format/facilities028.html
These were some of our recommendations where you can enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, by either just drinking some delicious matcha tea or participating yourself. When you are in Japan, a tea ceremony should be included on your to-do list!
There is a small but important thing we would to share before you experience the tea ceremony. Please note that it is considered rude if you don’t wear socks when you enter the tea room. Don’t forget your socks even in the summer!
Other cultural experiences in Tokyo
Are you interested in other Japanese cultural traditions? We can recommend more cultural activities including:
- Explore the city in a beautiful kimono
- Sumo Tours (sumo tournament tours, sumo morning practice tours)
- Visit Tsukiji Market and learn how to make sushi
- Sushi-making workshop at Tsukiji Fish Market
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Happy traveling!
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