Begin your journey at Chazuna, a beautifully designed modern museum dedicated to tea. Far from a dry academic display, Chazuna invites you into the world of tea through immersive exhibits, multimedia presentations, and hands-on displays that reveal the cultivation, processing, and cultural significance of tea in Japanese life.

Admire the architecture itself, inspired by the harmony of tea and nature, creating a space that is serene, contemporary, and deeply rooted in tradition.

From there, step further back in time with a visit to Tsuen, one of Japan’s oldest teahouses, located at the foot of the Uji Bridge. Founded in 1160, Tsuen has served tea to travelers for over eight centuries, including to samurai, monks, and even emperors.

Explore the building itself, blending history and hospitality, and walking through its timeworn doors is like stepping into the living history of Japan’s tea culture. Here, the spirit of omotenashi—Japanese hospitality—is more than an idea; it is something you can taste, feel, and remember.