Traditional Japanese tea ceremony is called sado (literally translated to “way of tea”) and perhaps one of the best examples of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality). Originating in a time centuries ago when tea was considered a religious drink, sado is a highly ritualized way of serving tea to guests involving very strict codes and mannerisms (although you may not realize it due to the brilliant calm and natural grace with which masters can carry out a session). While it is an artform that can take a lifetime to master, Chazen in Ginza or Asakusa offers any curious soul to try their hand at sado.
As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by the tea master, who shows you every step of the process. After watching a video that explains the proper flow and etiquette of the ceremony, you must thoroughly clean your hands to prepare yourself for making and enjoying the tea. Next, dried tea leaves are ground to make a fine, bright green powder. Perhaps the beauty of matcha lies in its simplicity (just the ground leaves and hot water) that is then elevated by the precision and elegance of the ceremony.
Once you enter the tea room, the master cleans all the utensils used to make the matcha. After that, she prepares one cup of matcha at a time for each guest. While the tea is being made, you’re invited to enjoy some traditional Japanese sweets. Each is truly a work of art in itself.
After each guest has been served their tea, it’s time for them to try their hand at making a cup of matcha under the master’s step-by-step guidance.
The ceremony doesn’t take very long, which makes it an activity worth checking out while you’re in Tokyo.
Chazen: https://teaceremony-tokyo.jp/