Experience a private tea ceremony in a historic machiya, savoring handcrafted sweets and exploring Japanese culture with an expert tea practitioner.
Experience a private tea ceremony in a historic machiya, savoring handcrafted sweets and exploring Japanese culture with an expert tea practitioner.
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TEA BASE 白澤 - Immerse yourself in the ultimate tea experience. Koicha, or thick tea, is the most formal and esteemed form of tea in Japanese culture. It is richer and more concentrated than thin tea and is traditionally shared only with trusted guests. Many visitors to Japan never have the opportunity to experience it.
In a 100-year-old machiya…
- TEA BASE 白澤 - Immerse yourself in the ultimate tea experience. Koicha, or thick tea, is the most formal and esteemed form of tea in Japanese culture. It is richer and more concentrated than thin tea and is traditionally shared only with trusted guests. Many visitors to Japan never have the opportunity to experience it.
In a 100-year-old machiya located in Kanazawa’s Nishi Chaya geisha district, your host Yuta, who has 19 years of experience in the Enshu-ryu tradition—a school of tea with roots in samurai culture—will lead you through a 90-minute private ceremony. This session includes both koicha and usucha (thin tea), paired with seasonal jounamagashi (handcrafted fresh sweets made by Kanazawa artisans).
During this session, you will:
- Experience koicha (thick tea), the pinnacle of the Japanese tea ceremony, rarely offered to visitors
- Observe a complete tea ceremony demonstration with detailed explanations
- Prepare your own bowl of usucha (thin tea) hands-on
- Savor ounamagashi, exquisite fresh sweets that reflect the season
- Enjoy an extended Q&A session on aesthetics, philosophy, or life in Kanazawa
- Capture the experience with a commemorative photo
This is a completely private experience with no other guests and no compromises. The session is guided in English throughout and must be booked at least 3 days in advance.
- Fully private ceremony (no shared sessions)
- Hands-on matcha preparation
- Commemorative photo
- English narration and extended Q&A
- Admission fees
- Snacks
- Both koicha (thick tea) and usucha (thin tea)
- Tea ceremony demonstration by a practitioner with 19 years of experience
- Fully private ceremony (no shared sessions)
- Hands-on matcha preparation
- Commemorative photo
- English narration and extended Q&A
- Admission fees
- Snacks
- Both koicha (thick tea) and usucha (thin tea)
- Tea ceremony demonstration by a practitioner with 19 years of experience
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private transportation
- Gratuities
Experience both koicha (thick tea) and usucha (thin tea) for a comprehensive tea journey.
Enjoy premium jounamagashi, which are handcrafted seasonal confections made by skilled Kanazawa artisans.
Participate in a 90-minute private session with a tea practitioner boasting 19 years of experience.
The session takes place in a 100-year-old machiya located…
Experience both koicha (thick tea) and usucha (thin tea) for a comprehensive tea journey.
Enjoy premium jounamagashi, which are handcrafted seasonal confections made by skilled Kanazawa artisans.
Participate in a 90-minute private session with a tea practitioner boasting 19 years of experience.
The session takes place in a 100-year-old machiya located in the historic Nishi Chaya geisha district.
Engage in an in-depth Q&A session covering tea philosophy, samurai culture, and Japanese aesthetics.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
