Private tea ceremony experience at a Nara townhouse
- Step into the stillness of a traditional Japanese house - a machiya in Naramachi, with a tatami tea room behind lattice doors and shoji.
- Learn the basics of the ceremony and the thinking behind it, in a group small enough to stop and ask at any point.
- Taught step by step: an explanation first, then practice with hot water, then the bowl you make yourself.
- Whisk matcha with your own hands and leave knowing how it is done, rather than having watched someone else do it.
- See how a chasen is made - roughly 95% of Japan's handmade tea whisks come from Takayama in Nara, a short way from this room.
- Ask your Nara-born host where to go next before you leave - the shops and lanes no guidebook lists.
What to expect
A tatami tea room, a host in kimono, and a small group. You learn the thinking behind the etiquette, then whisk your own matcha.
- Enter a machiya in Naramachi; a host in kimono leads you into a tatami room lit through shoji.
- A cup of hojicha, then the basics: how to bow, how to handle the utensils.
- A seasonal wagashi sweet - enjoyed by eye before tongue.
- Your host whisks a bowl for you. Take time with the scent, colour and finish.
- We talk about the culture tea has shaped, and omotenashi at the centre of it.
- Choose the bowl you like, warm your hands with hot water, then whisk your own.
- See how a chasen is made in Takayama in Nara - 95% of Japan's handmade whisks.
- Your Nara-born host will point you to shops and lanes no guidebook lists.
Reviews
An immersive and highly enjoyable experience. The host is very good at explaining the deep concepts and meticulous procedures of both matcha preparation and the tea ceremony. We greatly enjoyed both the experience and the sweets reserved for us. The host speaks excellent English and immediately puts you at ease. We were also fortunate enough to meet one of the few artisans in Japan who produce matcha whisks. Very helpful also in giving advice on places to visit and shops where to do tastings or purchases. We also learned how to make matcha tea with our own hands. Great experience
The tea ceremony was a wonderful experience. I had the procedures explained to me, learned how to properly prepare matcha, and was able to make my own matcha. The information about how the necessary tools (chasen) are made was also very interesting. I can highly recommend Kurabi 🙏
Really enjoyed the class and learning how to make matcha the traditional way. Mike our instructor was very knowledgeable. we were impressed with his skill.
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