Experience the Wonder of a 45 Minute Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

Kyoto, the capital of Japan, is more than just the epicenter of Japanese culture and art, it’s a destination that offers unparalleled opportunities to experience traditional Japanese customs such as the famous tea ceremony. In a time-span of only 45 minutes, you can immerse yourself in the age-old ritual that is part of the fabric of Japan for centuries.

What Is a Tea Ceremony?

To fully understand the significance of a tea ceremony, it is important to understand from where the tradition originated. Although closely related, the tea ceremony differs from tea preparation as it is more a ritualistic ceremony than a mere tea-making activity. As a highlight of Japanese hospitality, it was initially developed by Murata Shukō, a Zen monk who had studied under the celebrated tea master Takeno Jōō in the late 15th century. The tea ceremony is a slow meditative affair usually held in a tatami-floored hall in a formal atmosphere and can take several hours in its traditional format.

What Is Included in the 45 Minute Ceremony?

For those who don’t have all day to spare, various tea ceremonies now exist that offer visitors an opportunity to experience the ceremony in a shorter time span, with one of them being condensed into just 45 minutes. During this condensed experience, guests are educated on the three key elements: harmony (wa), respect (kei) and purity (sei).

Upon arrival at a traditional tea house, guests are greeted with warm hospitality by their kimono-dressed host before they are guided through the power hall (chashitsu) where the ceremony takes place. They then move on to partake in one of the most important components of the ceremony, making and drinking the tea. A green tea called matcha is usually used and its preparation follows a specific order:

• The host boils some water.
• The green powder is scooped out of a small canister with a bamboo spoon.
• The powder is placed into a bowl while water is added.
• A bamboo whisk is used to bring the powder and water together.
• The tea is served to guests who are seated on the tatami.

After drinking the tea, guests are invited to take part in another ritualistic aspect called temae. During which participants will use two hands to turn the bowl when accepting and when returning it to the host. Throughout the experience, attendees are encouraged to ask questions to further learn about customs and etiquette about the ceremony.

Which Tea Ceremony Services Are Available in Kyoto?

Kyoto is considered to be the center for tea ceremonies in Japan with many services available for visitors on websites such as GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor and Viator. When selecting a service, it is important that you read reviews as some services provide better experiences than others due to their attention to detail. For example, Kaikado’s Tea Ceremony Experience offers participants a chance to learn about matcha tea culture through professional and friendly staff in a space that oozes Zen minimalist aesthetics. Located in Kyoto’s Gion district, guests will be introduced to traditional Japanese culture while learning more about all of the latest topics related to this intricate activity.

What Makes Kaikado’s Tea Ceremony Experience Unique?

There are various tea ceremony experiences available all over Kyoto; however Kaikado stands out for its unique features and personalized hospitality that is by far one of its major highlights. The staff are both English and Japanese speaking, so there are no language barriers and guests should expect an overall friendly atmosphere throughout the entire event. Furthermore, Kaikado uses some of their family’s heirloom utensils dating back five generations for a special one-of-a-kind experience that truly immerses participants into centuries-old Japanese culture and art.

Should I Participate in a Tea Ceremony?

Having experienced many different Japanese customs first hand during my travels throughout Japan, I can personally vouch for participating in any type of tea ceremony as they’re an invaluable way to understand Japanese etiquette and culture first hand. Whether you select one of Tokyo’s luxurious tea houses or one of Kyoto’s more traditional ceremonies like Kaikado’s experience, I can guarantee that it will be an unforgettably enriching experience that will remain with you for a lifetime.

So if you have only 45 minutes to spare during your trip to Kyoto then I strongly suggest booking Kaikado’s Tea Ceremony Experience. This 45 minute tour will offer you an incredible opportunity to participate in a centuries- old tradition while soaking up unchanged Japanese customs and hospitality. It’s truly an incredible experience that I know you won’t forget! So don’t delay any longer; book your experience today!