Tokyo Tea Ceremony: Tourist Trap or Cultural Gem?

Is a Tokyo tea ceremony on your itinerary for an upcoming trip to Japan? If so, you may be wondering whether they are tourist traps or worthwhile cultural experiences. The tea ceremony, also called chanoyu or sadō, is a deeply ingrained practice that dates back centuries. Without question, Tokyo’s tea ceremonies provide an opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in Japanese hospitality and mindfulness.

During our recent trip to Tokyo we visited a teahouse and learned about Japanese tea rituals. In this article, I will share the rich history and significance of the tea ceremony in Tokyo, and uncover the customs that make it such a cherished part of Japanese culture. Keep reading to find out whether you should try a tea ceremony in Tokyo!

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Are Tea Ceremonies Worth Doing in Tokyo?

Tokyo tea ceremonies are worth doing to witness an important cultural practice in Japan. During the tea ceremony visitors can appreciate the principles of respect, harmony, purity and tranquility as their host explains the precise rituals of the tea ceremony. Not only will guests get to dress up in kimonos, sip flavorful matcha tea, and taste wagashi (Japanese sweets), but they can experience a timeless tradition in Japanese society.

Location of the Maikoya Tea Ceremony

After researching different options for tea ceremonies, we opted to do the “Kimono Tea Ceremony Tokyo Maikoya”. The location of the tea ceremony is easily accessible via the Tokyo Metro or Tsukuba Express from Asakusa Station. However, since we had a large group we opted to take a taxi from our hotel.

Address for Maikoya Tea Ceremony:

• 1-12-2, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0032, Japan

Ticket Price:

• 6,300 JPY

Brief History of Tea Ceremonies in Japan

The origins of the Japanese tea ceremony are deeply rooted in the Zen principles of respect (kei), harmony (wa), purity (sei) and tranquility (jaku). The ritual of drinking tea began in China, where it was revered for its medicinal properties.

In Japan, traditional tea ceremonies can be traced back to 9th century CE when a Buddhist monk, named Eichu, served tea to Emperor Saga. Over the years, tea drinking was a status symbol among the wealthy and eventually spread to all classes of Japanese society.

“The tea ceremony is a way of worshiping the beautiful and the simple. All one’s efforts are concentrated on trying to achieve perfection through the imperfect gestures of daily life.”

–Okakuro Kazuko

What to Expect at a Kimono Tea Ceremony

First Select Your Kimono

Before you experience the tea ceremony, different genders split off into separate areas. The dressing room is filled with hundreds of kimonos in a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. Picking out my kimono was definitely one of the highlights of the day.

After you choose your outfit, the assistants style your hair and add hair ornaments, such as flowers and clips to complete your look. Finally, put on a pair of Japanese Geta sandals and you are ready.

Seeking Stamps Tip: There is storage for personal items and a private dressing area to change into your kimono.

Guests are Invited Into the Tearoom

Soon, your host welcomes you into the serene tea room. It’s adorned with a large golden screen, known as a Byōbu. Bamboo and rock gardens surround the exterior, creating a relaxing escape from the busy city outside. Muted colors, seasonal flowers, and scrolls are part of the typical decor inside the tea room, or chashitsu. Then, guests are seated on the floor in a semi circle around the tatami mat.

Steps of the Maikoya Tea Ceremony

• First, the host prepares the water and utensils according to Japanese tradition and the style of the individual teahouse.
• Water is heated in an iron kettle, or chagama.
• Next, water is poured into the chawan, a conical shaped tea bowl and it is discarded.
• Afterwards, the bowl is wiped clean with a simple cloth called a chakin.
• Matcha powder is added to the bowl and mixed with water using an intricate bamboo whisk called a chasen.
• Finally, the host presents thick matcha tea for you to drink.

Seeking Stamps Tip: To our surprise, the matcha tea was intensely bitter. Unlike sweetened versions in the United States you may have tried, this tea packs and earthy punch!

Try Mixing Matcha Yourself

Then it’s your turn to try mixing matcha! Your host pours hot water into the powdered matcha. Swirl your bamboo tea whisk in a fierce motion to create a froth. It’s actually harder than it looks and requires more skill than you realize! The end result is a thin matcha tea, which has a subtle taste compared to thick matcha.

Take Photos in Your Kimono

After you finish the tea ceremony, go outdoors for some Instagram-worthy photos. Our whole family loved this experience! There is a large space for groups and family photos with a backdrop of bamboo trees and zen garden.

Seeking Stamps Tip: I highly recommend this instead of renting kimonos and walking throughout the city in hot, restrictive clothing and uncomfortable shoes.

Important Tea Etiquette

• Refrain from wearing ornate jewelry or strong perfumes. This is considered a distraction during the tea ceremony.
• It is important to remove your shoes before you enter the tea house.
• Wear clean socks without holes (they will give you stockings to wear with your kimono).
• Bow upon entering the room and after being seated.
• Eat your wagashi before you drink tea.
• Receive your tea front facing with the beautiful part of the bowl towards you.
• Pick up your bowl with your right hand and place it in your left hand.
• Guests should rotate their cup before they sip, turning the prettiest part of the bowl back towards the host.
• Compliment the host after tasting the tea.
• Maintain a respectful and solemn demeanor throughout the ceremony.

Seeking Stamps Tip: The tea ceremony session takes approximately 45 minutes with the complete experience lasting 90 minutes.

Additional Maikoya Services

In addition, Geisha experiences, kimono rental, cooking classes, sweets making, and calligraphy are available. Maikoya also offers tea ceremonies in Kyoto and Osaka, as well. See their website for details.

Seeking Stamps Tip: Kyoto tea ceremony dates sold out sooner than the ones in Tokyo when we visited during sakura, so make reservations early.

Things to Do Near the Maikoya Tea House

If you have additional time in the area, here are some suggested places to see:

• Explore Asakusa on a rickshaw tour.
• See the views from Tokyo Skytree.
• See Sensoji Temple.
• Shop on Nakamise-Dori Street.
• Throw ninja stars at the Samurai Ninja Museum.

Tokyo Tea Ceremony Final Thoughts

As you can see, the Tokyo tea ceremony offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and hospitality. From the precise preparation of matcha to the serene atmosphere of the tea room, every aspect of the ceremony is filled with significance. Participating in traditional Japanese tea ceremony experiences can be truly enriching. I hope this Maikoya tea ceremony review inspires you to try this time-honored tradition when you travel to Japan.