Step into a traditional Japanese home, where time slows and the world grows still.

In an intimate gathering of just a few, a skilled tea master will guide you through the living history of tea — its rituals, its tools, its quiet wisdom.

As the experience draws to a close, seasonal wagashi sweets appear — fleeting, exquisite, each one a whisper of the season.

With your own hands, whisk matcha into being. Feel the rhythm of each motion, unhurried and deliberate. Breathe in the fragrance rising from the bowl. Let the first sip find you.

This is more than a ceremony. It is a genuine encounter with Japanese culture, and a rare invitation to simply be still.

What to Expect (about 60 minutes)

To begin
We'll share the basic etiquette of the tea ceremony and the mindset for approaching tea.

Seasonal wagashi
We'll introduce a seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) and invite you to enjoy one first.

Savoring the matcha
Take your time to enjoy the prepared matcha with all your senses — its aroma, color, and flavor.

The culture and spirit of tea
We'll talk about the culture the tea ceremony has nurtured, and the essential ideas at the heart of it.

Whisk your own bowl
We'll show you how to whisk matcha, let you practice first with hot water, and then guide you as you prepare your own bowl.

The story of the chasen
To finish, we'll introduce the chasen (tea whisk) — over 95% of which are made here in Nara — and share its culture and how it's crafted.

Discovering Nara
If you'd like, our Nara-native hosts are happy to share local recommendations you won't find in a guidebook.