Kamakura Tea Ceremony: Make Matcha at Chikusuian

Whisk matcha in a tea room built for the ritual, then drink what you made

A 60-minute tea ceremony class at Chikusuian in Kita-Kamakura where you watch an instructor prepare matcha, whisk it yourself, and drink two servings with Japanese sweets. An English interpreter guides you through the etiquette and movements. No experience or kneeling is required, and seating options include chairs and support stools. Minimum age is 15.

The Experience

The tea room at Chikusuian is built in the sukiya-zukuri style, designed so every detail (the placement of utensils, the angle of the bow, the silence between movements) carries meaning. You'll spend 60 minutes there learning why. An instructor demonstrates the ceremony first, showing you the omotenashi spirit (the art of hospitality) through the act of preparing tea. Then you step through it yourself: whisking matcha powder into hot water, learning the grip and the rhythm, tasting what you made. An English interpreter walks you through the etiquette so the movements make sense instead of feeling foreign.

You'll drink two servings of matcha, each one paired with a Japanese sweet: omogashi, a soft confection, and higashi, a dry one (or an alternative if you book same-day or the day before). The sweets aren't decoration. They're part of the balance, a counterpoint to the slight bitterness of the tea. Kneeling on the floor is not required. You can sit in a chair at a tea ceremony table or use a seiza support stool, whichever suits you.

Chikusuian sits in Kita-Kamakura, a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line. The location puts you steps away from the temples and historic streets of Kamakura itself, so you can build this into a morning or afternoon without losing the rest of your day exploring the town.

What’s included

• Two servings of freshly whisked matcha.
• two Japanese sweets (omogashi and higashi, or an alternative if booked same-day).
• a live demonstration of tea preparation by a certified instructor.
• hands-on guided matcha whisking.
• use of tea ceremony utensils during the class.
• an English interpreter to guide you through the etiquette and movements.

Days and timesDaily except Sat · 8 departure times, from 10:30 to 16:20

AgesAges 15+ · Under 15 — No ticket type: can't be added to a booking

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “5 minutes walk from Kita Kamakura Station”

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Stroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by NOA茶道教室

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided introduction with an English interpreter: the instructor walks you through preparation and etiquette step-by-step rather than leaving you to figure it out alone.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What exactly do I learn to do in the tea ceremony class?

You watch the instructor demonstrate the full ceremony, then whisk matcha yourself under their guidance. The instructor teaches you the hand positions, the speed of the whisk, and how to prepare the bowl: all the physical steps that make the ritual work. No prior experience is needed. The class is built for beginners.

Do I have to kneel on the floor during the tea ceremony?

No. Kneeling is not required. You can sit in a chair at a tea ceremony table or use a seiza support stool, so you choose what's comfortable for you.

What sweets come with the matcha?

You get two types: omogashi, a soft confection, and higashi, a dry confection. If you book same-day or the day before, an alternative sweet replaces the omogashi.

How do I get to Chikusuian from central Kamakura or Tokyo?

Chikusuian is in Kita-Kamakura, a 10-minute walk from Kita-Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line. From Tokyo, take the JR Yokosuka Line toward Kurihama and get off at Kita-Kamakura. The journey is about an hour from central Tokyo.

Is there an age requirement for this class?

Yes, the minimum age is 15. Younger children cannot participate in this experience.