The Tea Ceremony in Japan is one of the most popular activities for anyone visiting Kyoto or Tokyo. But is it worth participating in one?
Green tea is one of the most consumed drinks in Japan and has a very important tradition and symbolism in Japanese culture. It has a bright greenish color and is known as matcha.
We had a tea ceremony in Japan during our visit to Kyoto. Come and I’ll tell you all the details!
Tea ceremony in Japan: origin and step by step
What is matcha?
Matcha is a powdered form of green tea that originates from China. It is made from green tea leaves ground into a fine powder and has a vibrant green color. The tea has a unique flavor, is not as bitter as you might think and is considered the most aromatic form of green tea.
It is rich in antioxidants and can help fight cancer, prevent type 2 diabetes, fight depression and protect brain function.
In addition to tea, you will find ice cream, chocolate, desserts and snacks with matcha!
Origin of the tea ceremony
A tea ceremony It is a way of caring for guests with appreciation and transforms the simple act of preparing a drink for a visitor into an art, with complex movements carried out with extreme rigor, which is appreciated by guests. It is an activity that few practice nowadays, due to its countless steps and the price of the utensils.
The tea ceremony is an ancient tradition that dates back to Zen Buddhism in the year 815 and was previously performed only by monks and later samurai. Little by little it was passed on to noble families.
What is the tea ceremony like in Japan?
Just like practically everything in Japanese society, the ceremony is carried out to seek perfection in its execution, from movements, tranquility, breathing, spoken phrases and even the way of holding the tea container.
The person responsible for carrying out the ceremony (the host of the house or, in the samurai past, the village leader) is the one who will serve the tea and water to the other people who will participate in the ceremony.
The utensils needed for the ceremony are:
- a water kettle, which should have a temperature of around 70ºC for better tea quality;
- the container where the tea is prepared and drunk;
- a bamboo utensil with fine bristles used to mix tea with water;
- a sugar and ginger sweet to accompany tea.
How matcha green tea is made
To make the tea, you need to place the green tea powder in a container (a cup without a handle) and then add the water.
It will be mixed with a bamboo utensil with several bristles, moving back and forth, creating lots of bubbles and making the mixture thicker.
At the end, make a single circular movement and remove the bristle.
Sayings during the ceremony
Tea is served in a circle that follows the order. Each guest receives a cup of tea and a sweet treat.
The first person to receive the tea should, before drinking the tea, bow to the person on the left and say “I’m sorry for drinking before you”, bow to the person on the right and say “Thank you for drinking this tea with me” and then bow to the center in gratitude for the tea.
Then, this person picks up the container with the cup decoration facing towards them, holding the container under the container with their left hand and making two 90-degree turns with their right hand. Only then will the tea be drunk. The cup is then returned to the mat.
Typically the cup is richly decorated with local themes that tell a story. The cup serves to entertain the guest while drinking tea and also shows the host’s purchasing power.
After drinking all the tea, the person can try the sugar and ginger sweets to “cleanse the palate” for the next tea. No sugar is added to tea!
Our tea ceremony experience
We attended the ceremony at a traditional location in Kyoto, very close to the Golden Pavilion Temple. It lasted around 45 minutes, cost around R$105 per person and the hostess spoke English. It was possible to rent a yukata (traditional Japanese summer clothing) to participate in the tea ceremony, but we decided not to wear one. I show more about this experience in video about Kyoto.
We really enjoyed the experience because it shows how there are very strict cultural rituals in Japan, which have become art and which unfortunately do not attract locals as much as they used to. Today they are seen more as a hobby.
During the experience, we were able to take many photos, videos were more limited. Jean loves matcha tea, especially because it reminds him a little of yerba mate and he is from Rio Grande do Sul! Furthermore, the discipline and formality of the ceremony is reminiscent, in some ways, of our past experiences with martial arts.
We found this experience in GetYourGuide, a platform that brings together activities with locations around the world and also sells tickets and tours! It’s a German company that I trust and always use on my trips. Now she has become a sponsor of the blog and our YouTube channel and we are very happy to share the best experiences with you!
I hope you enjoyed this article about the Tea Ceremony in Japan!
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