Experience harmonious hospitality with a Urasenke-style tea ceremony led by a local tea master

Details

• Private Experience

• Location: Kushiro, Hokkaido

• 1.5 hours

• 5 people max per booking. Minimum 2 participants, solo guests may book at the price of 2 participants.

• Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in English

Savoring a Single Moment

Enter a space where everything is imbued with silent purpose. Woven tatami mat flooring with lines to delineate the area of each participant. Tokonoma alcoves built into the structure, where scrolls of calligraphy ink text or artfully arranged seasonal flowers are displayed. Concise repetitions of movement to clean and purify the serving utensils, held carefully in the hands of the master. While little explanation is given, every action taken by the tea master conveys the four elements prized in tea ceremony: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. Above all, scrupulous attention is paid to the creation of a single moment that is unique for each guest, and for each moment in time. A belief known as ichi-go, ichi-e, emphasis is placed not only on the tea itself, but also on the impeccable hospitality required to create an enjoyable experience tailor-made to every guest to the ceremony. The origins of tea culture in Japan extend as far back as the 9th century, with historical records unearthed discussing how the Buddhist monk Eichu first served tea to then-ruling Emperor Saga, and later, codified more strongly into a ceremony in the 12th century due to monk Eisei and the introduction of matcha. Finally, it transformed into a certified ceremonial art by tea master Sen no Rikyu in the 16th century. In modern times, tea ceremony remains as an emblem of refinement while continuing to preserve the cordial roots of the craft. Join Urasenke school tea ceremony master, Soumi-san, who trained at the Urasenke Gakuen Research Department of the Tea Ceremony College in Kyoto and currently operates her own tea ceremony school in Kushiro, in appreciating the beauty of life's fleeting moments through tea.

What you’ll do

Join a Urasenke-style tea ceremony with a master with over 40 years of experience. Enjoy matcha paired with seasonal wagashi sweets. Learn more about the culture and customs of tea ceremony.

Who can attend

Children must be 9+

Availability

Session 1 (15:00 - 16:30)

Session 2 (16:30 - 18:00)

Access

20 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport

Cancellation Policy

Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance.
* A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.