Drinking tea is an integral part of Japanese culture which can be traced back as far as the ninth century when it was originally reserved for monks and aristocrats. Today there are many ways for visitors to Japan to enjoy and experience tea culture and even cultivation. Whether visiting a stately tea house to take in the art of sado or walking the tea fields to pick the fragrant leaves yourself, learning more about tea in Japan can be immersive and fun. Discover just a few ways you can maximize your tea experiences on your next trip to Japan.
Test Your Tea Knowledge in Hamamatsu
Green tea is one of Shizuoka’s most famous products and an integral part of the region’s culture and daily life. One fun way to experience this heritage is through chakabuki, a centuries-old tea-guessing game once enjoyed at gatherings of monks, high-ranking samurai, and nobles. Hosted by local tea shops, the game introduces participants to five types of green tea, each represented by a Japanese character for flower, bird, wind, moon, or guest. After smelling the teas and noting their distinctive aromas, participants taste them in random order and identify each one by placing the corresponding sticker on an answer sheet. No expertise is required; chakabuki is a lighthearted way to engage your senses, discover the nuances of green tea, and enjoy conversation with fellow participants and the tea shop owner.
Learn more: https://www.japan.travel/en/japans-local-treasures/test-your-tea-knowledge-hamamatsu-2024/
Digging Deeper into Tea in Saitama
In western Saitama Prefecture, the tea gardens of renowned Sayama green tea stretch across the suburbs of Kawagoe, a historic castle town with streets recalling the Edo period. Tea has been cultivated here for centuries, with records showing Sayama tea was already known as a local specialty in the 14th century. The region’s cold winters give the tea its distinctive deep, rich flavor, while many producers oversee everything from cultivation and processing to sales. Harvesting begins in late April, when some tea gardens invite visitors to pick and process leaves, learn the traditional art of preparing and serving tea, and even sample tea leaf tempura. These hands-on experiences offer a fascinating introduction to Sayama tea and Japan’s enduring green tea culture.
Learn more: https://www.japan.travel/en/japans-local-treasures/digging-deeper-tea-saitama-2022/
Green Tea Pairing and Matcha Calligraphy Experience
Discover Shizuoka’s rich tea culture at Kakuyabessho, a restaurant near Shizuoka Station offering the three-hour “Tea Pairing and Matcha Calligraphy® Experience” with English interpretation. Begin with a calligraphy lesson, learning to write your name in Japanese using a unique ink made from locally and sustainably grown powdered tea, which gradually changes from bright green to brown as it dries. The experience then turns to cuisine, as an internationally renowned tea master introduces a selection of Japanese green teas carefully paired with a multi-course meal featuring seasonal ingredients, offering an engaging taste of Shizuoka’s traditions of tea, food, and calligraphy.
Learn more: https://fieja-japan.com/teapairing-matchacalligraphy/
Experience an Authentic Tea Ceremony and Kimono Experience
Experience the tranquility and tradition of a Japanese tea ceremony at MAIKOYA in Kyoto, set in a historic machiya townhouse recognized by the city as a Tangible Cultural Property and overlooking a beautiful Japanese garden. Join in your own clothes or wear an authentic kimono as an English-speaking guide introduces the centuries-old rituals of preparing and serving matcha. Observe the host’s precise, graceful movements before trying the ritual yourself, while savoring aromatic matcha paired with traditional Japanese sweets and appreciating the elegant surroundings. With small-group and private sessions available, the experience embodies the Zen concept of ichigo ichie, the idea of treasuring each encounter as a unique, once-in-a-lifetime moment, and offers a peaceful introduction to Japanese culture and mindfulness.
Learn more: https://www.japan.travel/en/experiences-in-japan/1451/
