In the samurai era, koicha was exchanged before battle, shared only among those a master trusted. Today, it is the rarest form of Japanese tea. This 90-minute private ceremony takes place in a 1923 machiya in Kanazawa's Nishi Chaya district — not a venue, not a studio, but the home where your host Yuta lives and practices. Yuta has studied tea for 19 years in Enshu-ryu — the samurai lineage founded by Kobori Enshu, tea master to the Tokugawa shoguns. Restrained, precise, and quietly confident. You will be received as the only guests. Koicha will be prepared for you; you will then prepare usucha with your own hands. Seasonal sweets from a Kanazawa artisan accompany the tea. Between the bowls, there is time. Yuta does not perform tea as theatre — he offers it as conversation. Whether you come with years of study or simple curiosity, the ceremony meets you where you are. By reservation only. Maximum 5 guests. English throughout.
It was a true delight to be guests of Yuta and his wife, learning more about the Japanese tea tradition. It felt as the most authentic experience of our journey. They made us feel very welcome in their house, and enjoyed their genuine mindful explanations about their culture. Highly recommended!
If you want to learn more about the Japanese koicha tea ceremony, and experience it yourself, this is the place to be! We really enjoyed the warm hospitality of Yuta San and his wife. Everything was explained with great care and patience and we could feel the love for the Japanese culture and traditions. Experiencing this authentic ceremony was truly inspiring and enriching - a wonderful addition to our stay in Japan. Highly recommended! ❤️
We had such a wonderful tea ceremony experience—truly one of the highlights of our time. Yuta was fantastic, guiding us through every step with so much care and attention to detail. You can tell how much thought and respect goes into each part of the ceremony, and he made it all feel both meaningful and welcoming. We learned a lot, felt completely immersed, and genuinely had a great time. Highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for something special and authentic.
If you are in the beautiful and historic city of Kanazawa and would like to experience the heritage of a tea ceremony within a samurai household, look no further. It was a lesson in history and etiquette which I wish to remember and learn from in the future.
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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