Japanese Tea Ceremony at Private Home in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo

About this tour

Learn the fundamentals of Japanese tea ceremony in a tatami room at a practitioner's home in suburban Yokohama. A tea master with four decades of experience guides you through guest etiquette, the ritual's history, and hands-on matcha preparation. You'll sample seasonal wagashi—handmade sweets that pair with the tea—and have space to ask questions about the practice itself. Ninety minutes of genuine cultural exchange, not performance.

Highlights

• Whisk and drink your own bowl of matcha green tea
• Taste seasonal wagashi made fresh by the tea master
• Learn guest protocol in an authentic tatami room
• Hear four decades of practitioner knowledge and history
• Ask questions about the ceremony's philosophy and technique

What to expect

You'll arrive at a private home and remove your shoes before entering the traditional tatami room. The tea master begins with context—the ceremony's roots and the mindfulness woven through each gesture. You'll watch a demonstration of the precise movements, then try whisking matcha powder with hot water yourself, learning the correct rhythm and texture. Between sips, you'll eat wagashi chosen to suit the season; the tea master explains how sweetness and tea complement each other. Throughout, you can ask about anything that intrigues you, from the philosophy behind silence to the choice of utensils.

Good to know

Bring clean socks; you'll need them for the tatami room. The experience accommodates vegan and gluten-free diets. Public transport nearby makes it accessible. Allow time to sit with the tea rather than rushing through.