Asakusa is a district of Tokyo and part of the Taito Ward just northwest of downtown Tokyo and right on the Sumida River. Access to the district is easy via the Asakusa Station from downtown. It became a vibrant entertainment district during the Edo period when local grain banks spent their wealth on theaters and geisha houses. Heavily bombed during WWII it has been significantly rebuilt over the years. It is notable for its famous Brazilian style carnival, its many traditional restaurants, religious festivals such as the Sanja Matsuri, and the Sensō-ji, which is Tokyo’s oldest and most significant temple.
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1. Asakusa Jidaiya
In the heart of old Asakusa is Asakusa Jidaiya a house dedicated to providing a deeply personal Japanese cultural experience inside their studio built to maintain the traditional form and function of Asakura at the height of its importance. Here you can watch or partake in the traditional tea ceremony while wearing a kimono and learning about each of the movements and steps. Additionally, you can pose for photographs with traditional Japanese items and take rickshaw rides through the market.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/LtYkS69PAsw33NYQ6
Access: 5 Minute Walk from the Asakusa Station
Hours: 9:00 – 18:00
Closed: Reservation Required
Website: https://jidaiya.biz/taikenmono_e.html
Price: ¥3,000 yen per person
2. Shizu-Kokoro
There is no comparison to the teaching moment of learning the art and skill of the tea ceremony at a tea school. The Shizu-Kokoro Urasenke Chado (The Way of Tea) School hosts a Chado Workshop where you will learn the basics of Chado and get hands-on experience making a bowl of matcha tea. It is hosted in the school in an authentic tearoom with tatami mats. Along with tea, you will learn the art of brewing, the art of the ceremony, and the art of the time as it is associated with the moments and emotions during the experience.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/U7BwAfmCCt4KvHDR6
Access: 10 Minute Walk From the Asakusa Station
Hours: 10:00 – 17:30
Closed: Reservation Required
Website: https://shizukokoro.com/chado-workshop/
Price: ¥4,180 per person
3. Nandeshiko: Kimono and Tea Ceremony Experience
This is a tea ceremony house not far from the Sensō-ji, the oldest Buddhist Temple and the oldest temple in Japan. This small but private location is built on the second floor of a teahouse and accepts reservations throughout the year for a truly private and intimate cultural experience. This tea ceremony is one of the few family-friendly ceremonies that have prices for kids and adults to join and connect with the tea and the inner self through the ancient pace of life and tastes of food. Included is tea and traditional sweets commonly severed as part of the ceremony.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/oTti98vyENFETyht8
Access: 5-minute walk from the Asakusa Station
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00
Closed: Reservations Are Required, closed Tuesday and Thursday
Website: https://www.hanayashiki.net/shops/nadeshiko/e/
Price: ¥4,000 per person
4. Japanese Tea Ceremony in Asakusa
Learn all about the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, from proper etiquette to matcha-making technique, in a casual and relaxed environment. This Japanese Tea Ceremony In Asakusa is geared towards learning about the process and the history behind the tea ceremony and is hosted by a local tea ceremony expert to Asakusa. The class includes learning all about Japanese matcha tea from a Japanese tea ceremony expert, the utensils used in the Japanese tea ceremony, practice tea ceremony etiquette, and making and serving matcha tea.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4XNzEmccSygrVZFZ7
Access: 10 Minute Walk from Asakusa Station
Hours: 12:00 – 15:00
Closed: Reservations Required
Website: https://www.chagohan.tokyo/booking/tea-ceremony
Price: ¥3,850 per person
Asakusa is an old district and small. But it is ideal for experiencing old Tokyo through the many traditional shops and restaurants, tea ceremonies, and tours, all while taking in the water and the air of ancient Japan. Centered around the Sensō-Ji, the most visited religious site in the world, Asakusa encompasses a rich history of entertainment that is sure to keep you active, interested, and excited about every moment and experience.
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