Japanese Tea Ceremony Class in Yokohama: Learn from a Master

Make matcha, taste handmade sweets, watch the charcoal ritual

A 1.5-hour Japanese tea ceremony class at a private home in Yokohama, taught by an experienced tea master in an authentic tatami room. You watch a full demonstration, learn the guest's role while eating seasonal wagashi, then prepare and drink two cups of matcha yourself. The tea master explains the ceremony's history and answers your questions throughout.

The experience

What does it actually feel like to sit in a tatami room and participate in a real tea ceremony? This class answers that by putting you in the guest's seat from the start. The tea master (someone who has studied the discipline for over 40 years and taught it for more than 15) begins with a full demonstration in the private home's tea room, including the charcoal procedure: the moment when charcoal is added to heat the water. That step alone is rare enough that most Japanese people never see it. While this happens, you eat wagashi the tea master made that morning, chosen by season. The sweets might be nerikiri, gyuhi mochi, or manjyu, each one paired with the tea ceremony's rhythm.

After watching, you make matcha yourself. The tea master guides you through the motions, and you drink what you've prepared: two cups total across the session. The whole workshop runs about 1.5 hours. Throughout, the tea master walks you through the ceremony's history and invites questions. This is not a silent observation but a conversation about why each gesture exists and what it means. The class includes pickup, and children from age 5 are welcome.

What’s included

• Matcha green tea and handmade seasonal wagashi.
• pickup included.
• live English-speaking guide.
• children welcome from age 5.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDepartures at 11:00 and 13:30

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Public transport nearby

Operated by Tea Ceremony At Private Home in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you can follow the tea master's explanations and ask questions comfortably even if you've never studied Japanese. This suits anyone curious about the ceremony's meaning and history, not just those seeking a quiet, formal experience.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What exactly do I eat during the tea ceremony?

Wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets made by the tea master) chosen by season. These might include nerikiri (hand-molded paste sweets), gyuhi mochi, or manjyu, and they're prepared to pair with the matcha. The sweets are suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets.

Do I have to know anything about tea ceremony before I arrive?

No. The tea master teaches you how to be a guest, starting with the demonstration and then guiding you through making matcha yourself. You learn the history and purpose of each step as you go, and you can ask questions at any point.

What's the charcoal procedure, and why is it rare?

The charcoal procedure is when charcoal is added to heat the water for the tea. It's a traditional step most people, even in Japan, rarely witness in person, and the tea master includes it as part of the full ceremony demonstration.

How long does the whole class take?

The workshop runs about 1.5 hours from start to finish, including the demonstration, your own matcha preparation, and the tea master's explanation of the ceremony's history.

Is there anything I need to bring or know about the tatami room?

Bring socks to wear in the tatami room, since shoes are removed before entering. The tea master's home is accessible by public transportation near Yokohama. The location is about 15 minutes by subway from Azamino station to Shinyokohama station.