The 18 Best Tea Ceremony Experiences in Tokyo

The 18 Best Tea Ceremony Experiences in Tokyo

The Japanese tea ceremony is a uniquely Japanese tradition that is worth experiencing if you find yourself in Tokyo. It’s the perfect way to take a step back from the sightseeing and relax, while still immersing yourself in Japanese culture. Through observing and participating in a tea ceremony, you learn a lot about Japanese customs and values. Below, you’ll find our top picks for tea ceremony experiences in Tokyo.

1. Make Sushi and Tea Ceremony

Through this airKitchen class, you can both learn how to make sushi and experience the Japanese tea ceremony. This takes place in a Japanese host’s home, allowing you to catch a rare glimpse of what ordinary life and homes look like for Tokyo locals. The host, Yukiko, speaks English and can adjust the ingredients to accommodate vegetarians. In addition, she is happy to provide and dress you in a kimono if you’d like for an additional fee. Both sushi and the tea ceremony play important roles in Japanese culture, and you can experience both in a local’s home through this airKitchen class.

tokyo tea ceremony experience

2. Private Tea Ceremony experience

At here, you can experience authentic private tea ceremony in the cosy tearoom of a tea master. The host demonstrates formal matcha making procedure and serve matcha to you. You will learn about the tea ceremony, manners in the tearoom as a guest, and experience making a bowl of matcha by yourself.

3.Tea Ceremony (Matcha) & Japanese Sweets

This tea ceremony experience is housed in the host’s tea room. You’ll have the opportunity to experience the Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy wagashi that is traditionally enjoyed with the matcha together with your host. The location is close to Toyosu fish market, therefore you can enjoyToyosu fish market after or before the class.

4.Tea Ceremony Taught by Tea Master

AirKitchen host and tea master Kaori runs a small gallery and studio space, r_cafe, where she hosts Japanese tea ceremony experiences. The studio includes a traditional-style tea room. This experience includes the tea ceremony demonstration with matcha and wagashi, followed by a cooking class featuring traditional Japanese food based on the tea ritual.

tokyo tea ceremony experience

5. Hand made Udon, Sushi, Tempura, and Tea ceremony

Through this airKitchen experience with host Taka, you’ll have the opportunity to experience not only Tea ceremony but also Japanese traditional meals. He stayed in Malaysia, the United States, Mexico and China for 15 years due to my business. His family wanted to give back to foreigners visiting Japan OMOTENASHI(hospitality) mind.

6. Traditional Japanese Sweets & Matcha Tea Ceremony

In this airKitchen tea ceremony experience, you’ll first learn how to make a type of wagashi called nekiri. They are made from white bean paste and mochi, and often contain anko (sweet red bean paste). Various tools are used to shape the nekiri into beautiful, artistic shapes. Your host, Nariko, will teach you how to make five nekiri designs in this class. You’ll then experience the Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy the matcha with your nekiri, as is traditional.

tokyo tea ceremony experience

7. Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya Tokyo

Conveniently located in Shinjuku, Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya Tokyo is a popular venue for those seeking a Japanese tea ceremony and kimono experience. You are easily able to rent a kimono for your tea ceremony and immerse yourself in Japanese tradition. Staff speak English.

  • Map: https://g.page/MaikoyaTokyo?share
  • Access: 3 minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station
  • Hours: 10:00-18:00
  • Closed: None
  • Website: https://mai-ko.com/
  • Price:
    • ¥3000/person for group ceremony (without kimono)
    • ¥9000/person for group ceremony (with kimono)
    • ¥13500/person for private ceremony (with kimono)
    • ¥6500/person for Japanese sweet making and tea ceremony (without kimono)

8. Nadeshiko Kimono and Tea Ceremony Experience

Primarily a kimono rental shop, you are also able to rent a kimono as part of your Nadeshiko Tea Ceremony Experience. Located in the historic neighborhood of Asakusa, Nadeshiko Kimono and Tea Ceremony Experience is the perfect place to retreat from the busy, tourist-packed streets and enjoy a slower-paced element of Japanese tradition. Booking in advance is recommended.

9. We-Waraku-an Tea Ceremony

We Waraku-an is a teahouse located near central Tokyo. Guests can expect a warm welcome from an expert tea master, who will delight with his tea and seasonal atmosphere. This experience is encouraged for anyone from Sado enthusiasts to beginners in the practice in a calm, relaxing practice. They even offer to pick guests up from the east exit of Komana-Todaimae Station. Reservations are required. 

  • Map: https://goo.gl/maps/j7iWga4L5Wg1m8EJ7
  • Access: a short walk from Komana-Todaimae Station.
  • Hours: 11:00-19:00
  • Website: https://teaceremonytokyo.com/
  •  Price: 
    • 5000/person, 20% extra for single person (30-90 minutes, Usucha)
    • 8000/person, 20% extra for single person (45-120 minutes, Koicha)
    • 10000/person, 20% extra for single person (90-150 minutes, Koicha and Usucha)

10. Ginza Chazen Tea Ceremony

Ginza Chazen is a teahouse that offers a unique, isolated experience far from the noise of metropolitan spaces. At Ginza Chazen, guests can take part in a tea ceremony; grind their own leaves to make maccha powder and tea; enjoy a ceremony demonstration; and enjoy traditional, seasonal Japanese sweets. 

Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. 

11. Shizu-kokoro Tea Ceremony

This tea ceremony offers a 90 minute workshop, including a short film in English designed to teach visitors in various aspects of chado, the way of tea. Guests will then get to experience a fully hands-on experience, including time in the role of host as well as guest, in an authentic, traditional tea room. Four 90 minute classes are offered five days per week, available by reservation. 

12. Do Edo Tea Ceremony

Located in the tourist destination of Ginza Kabukiza tower, this modern, unique tea ceremony experience is a beginner’s course offered in both English and Japanese. In this take on the traditional tea ceremony, guests will learn to make, and have a chance to enjoy, their own maccha green tea. After the ceremony, guests may take home a brand-new tea kit of their own and have a chance to enjoy this wonderful, traditional experience at home as well. 

13. Happo-en

Happo-en is another take on the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Instead of being confined to the customary tea house, guests may enjoy their green tea experience in a gorgeous Japanese garden alongside the cultivated plants. There are benches offered outside for those who would prefer to sit while partaking in Japanese culture. For those who want a more traditional experience, guests may join the house in the tea house and learn to make tea, as well as to utilize a traditional Tatami mat. Reservations are required for some ceremonies. 

14. Mochi and Traditional Sweets Making Class with Tea Ceremony

Guests to this traditional tea ceremony will have opportunities to cook several Japanese delicacies and sweets, such as three color dango, strawberry daifuku mochi, and two different designs of nerikiri wagashi. Afterwards, guests will participate in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, guided by a certified, experienced tea master.  

15.  Two types of Wagashi and Tea

Guests of Kayo will be fully integrated into Japanese culture in this Japanese cooking and maccha class. Kayo is a mother of three who cooks traditional Japanese food to send with her children to school. She is a certified tea master. In this down-to-earth experience, guests will learn to make two types of a Japanese sweet, wagashi, wrap anko, sweet red Japanese beans, and how to create and color nerikiri. Afterwards, guests will have the opportunity to make maccha in a casual ceremony catering to those desiring a less formal experience. Ceremonies are by appointment once daily. 

16. Saitama Cooking Class

This small, intimate tea ceremony is run by Hiroko. She focuses her ceremony on the spiritual use of incense, as well as her tea ceremony. Guests will first light the incense and feel the warmth against their hands, and then enjoy the healing powers of freshly-bloomed flowers. Finally, guests will enjoy making and eating a sweet Japanese treat with their homemade maccha. Hiroko encourages visitors to focus on the five senses to ground themselves and focus on the here and the now, so as to relieve themselves of the anxiety of the future. There are two 90-minute classes run daily, available by reservation only. 

17. HiSUi Tokyo

HiSUi is a Japanese culture school that offers classes in a wide variety of Japanese arts, including the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, Kimono dressing, swordsmanship, and calligraphy. All of these art forms are deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history, and each of the classes offered at HiSUi respects and teaches each and every spiritual and aesthetic history clearly and with reverence. All classes are available by reservation only.  

18. Kanagawa Cooking class

 The instructor Ikuyo have over 40 years tea ceremony experience. She will first demonstrate how  tea ceremony going to start and after that you will make your own mattcha.  At here you can learn how deep tea ceremony is and know about Japanese culture.

Compared to Kyoto, where the tradition has its roots, there are fewer teahouses and places to participate in a tea ceremony in Tokyo. However, there are still options, whether you’re seeking a highly formal or more intimate cultural experience.