Learn how to drink and brew a delicious cup of Gyokuro (premium Japanese green tea) and enjoy it together with seasonal Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets)!
・Premium Japanese green tea (gyokuro)
Gyokuro is a high-quality Japanese green tea grown in a way similar to Matcha. Before harvesting, the tea plants are shaded for a few weeks to achieve a unique flavor combining delicate sweetness with strong umami taste (savoriness) and a mesmerizing natural scent. After being dried, the tea leaves are then not ground into powder like Matcha, but processed in their original shape as loose leaf tea.
・Traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi)
Wagashi come in a variety of tastes, textures, colors and shapes, often symbolizing or resembling elements of nature or seasonal event, and are usually consumed together with tea. I like to choose sweets based on the season and explain their origin to my guests.
The astringent constituent in Japanese tea is a type of polyphenol called catechin. Japan has done a great deal with the humble tea leaf. For example some benefits of the catechin in the tea leaf can lower cholesterol in some cases. Roasted over charcoal at a high temperature and grown under shade for at least 20 days are one of the examples. The most popular Japanese tea might be ryokucha. Depending on the timing of picking the leaves, the grade, the price can be noticeably different.
In this class, you can first watch a traditional Japanese Sencha tea ceremony (Sencha-do) and drink freshly-brewed premium green tea (Gyokuro) prepared during the procedure.
Then, you can try to make your own cup of delicious Gyokuro and get to know the basics of Sencha-do.
We will start by learning about the tea utensils needed to make Gyokuro, the right amount of tea leaves and the best water temperature to brew the tea.
Then, we will practice how to perform a simple tea ceremony and actually prepare a cup of tea together. One set of utensils will be provided for each participant.
Finally, let's enjoy our self-brewed tea with a tasty Japanese sweet (Wagashi)!
Discover how to correctly drink and appreciate Japanese tea and how to eat Japanese sweets and experience true Japanese hospitality.
Ute
Hello, my name is Ute.
I am a certified instructor of the Obaku Baisa-ryu School of Sencha Tea Ceremony and a licensed Japanese Tea Advisor.
My journey as a tea master began when I was invited to observe a Sencha tea ceremony—the graceful movements and the exquisite tea prepared just for me moved me deeply, and I joined on the spot.
I host tea experiences and workshops in a golden tearoom at a serene facility in Kyoto’s Higashiyama ward, near famous landmarks like Kiyomizu Temple. The space offers an elegant and peaceful atmosphere.
I enjoy traveling, photography, reading, movies, ballroom dancing, and quiet walks. I speak Japanese, English, and German.
Whether you are new to Japanese tea, a seasoned veteran or simply curious, I hope this encounter brings you joy and insight. I look forward to welcoming you with a delicious cup of Japanese tea.
The closest station
Kiyomizu Gojo Station
How to get to the station?
From Kyoto Station: 10mins
Exact location provided after booking.
Duration of this cooking class is 1.5 hours.
It costs 11000 per person.
Yes, Enjoy a Traditional Sencha Tea Ceremony and Learn How to Brew Delicious Japanese Tea from a Seasoned Tea Master in Kyoto has a vegetarian option.
Up to 5 people can join Ute's cooking class.
Yes, Enjoy a Traditional Sencha Tea Ceremony and Learn How to Brew Delicious Japanese Tea from a Seasoned Tea Master in Kyoto has a vegan option.
You will receive the confirmation within 24 hours.
We accepts these cards on airKitchen.
Cancellations up to 48 hours prior to the class begins will be fully refunded by the airKitchen cancellation policy.
