・Japanese Green Tea "Gyokuro"
"Gyokuro" ("jewel dew" in Japanese) is a type of Japanese green tea with a strong and unique taste and a great aroma. It is of a very high rank in comparison to other types of Japanese teas and only drunk on special occasions or prepared for important guests during tea ceremonies, similar to Matcha. "Gyokuro" is a precious and rather expensive tea that you cannot drink at restaurants or cafés.
・Traditional Japanese Sweets (Wagashi)
There are many types of traditional Japanese sweets, called "Wagashi", but many of them are made from glutinous rice, filled with white or red sweet bean paste or use other traditional ingredients (like chestnuts, black beans, various fruits and more) to create small moments of pure bliss that go together with tea perfectly. These sweets are always seasonal, so it will be a surprise every time!
・Japanese Dry Sweets (Higashi)
Dry sweets, known as "Higashi", are made from a special kind of Japanese sugar ("Wasanbon") that is cast into various forms (e.g. blossoms). They have a refined sweetness to them and slowly melt on one's tongue after putting them into one's mouth. These, too, are perfect to eat when drinking delicious green tea.
Rice is a staple food in Japan. In all most every family, there is a rice cooker. There is variety of Japanese rice brands such as Koshihikari and Hitomebore.
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.
Experience a real Japanese tea ceremony and then learn how to make delicious green tea by yourself!
In this class, you can learn how to properly prepare the precious Japanese green tea known as "Gyokuro". It has a very strong and unique taste and is a highly-ranked type of tea in Japan.
First, you can witness a real Japanese tea ceremony and directly drink the tea that I will prepare for you throughout. Enjoy it together with delicious Japanese sweets ("Wagashi") for a delightfully tasty experience!
Afterwards, I will teach you how to perform the ceremony you have seen by yourself and you can learn how to prepare "Gyokuro" green tea in the traditional Japanese style. I will guide you through all the necessary steps while explaining about Japanese tea culture, different types of tea, about Japanese sweets and much more.
Finally, you can drink the tea that you have made with your own hands and enjoy it together with another type of delicious sweets, known as "dry sweet" ("Higashi")!
Let's make tea together and enjoy it with Japanese sweets!
Ute
Hello, my name is Ute.
I am German, but fell in love with Japan and started living here after graduating.
Together with my Japanese husband, I run a small hotel in western Kyoto near the Arashiyama area where we welcome both Japanese and foreign guests.
I am also a passionate practitioner of the Japanese tea ceremony. As a renowned member of the Ōbaku Baisa-ryū School of Japanese tea, I am performing more than 20 ceremonies at famous temples and shrines in and around Kyoto each year.
I am regularly conducting tea ceremonies for Japanese and foreign guests, introducing them to the world of Japanese tea. I also teach my guests to perform the ceremony by themselves and make tea in traditional style.
Since I graduated in Japanese Studies, I am very knowledgable about Japanese culture, history and much more, so we can talk about anything you are interested in and I can give you some recommendations on what to do and where to visit in Kyoto.
I am looking forward to meeting you! Let's drink some tea and eat sweets together!
The closest station
Kiyomizu Gojō
How to get to the station?
From Kyoto Station: 15mins
Exact location provided after booking.
Up to 2 people can join Ute's cooking class.
It costs 3000 per person.
Yes, Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience in Kyoto! Prepare Tea in Traditional Style by Yourself and Enjoy Delicious Sweets has a vegetarian option.
Duration of this cooking class is 1.5 hours.
Yes, Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience in Kyoto! Prepare Tea in Traditional Style by Yourself and Enjoy Delicious Sweets 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.
