Sencha Tea Ceremony & Brewing Class in Hakone

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Japanese10:30 and 13:00

Guide in English or Japanese10:30 and 13:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Brew your own tea and taste the difference you make

A two-hour sencha tea ceremony and hands-on brewing class in Hakone where you observe a traditional tea ceremony, then brew green tea yourself using authentic utensils under instruction from a Higashi Abe school master. Japanese sweets are served throughout. The class runs with a live guide in English or Japanese, and you can choose to add a kimono rental at checkout.

The Experience

Most tea ceremony workshops keep you watching from the sidelines. Here, you handle the utensils yourself and learn to brew sencha from the start. The instructor, trained in the Higashi Abe school tradition, walks you through each step: how to measure the leaves, heat the water to the right temperature, time the steep, and pour. You'll brew your own cup, then taste it alongside what the master brews, so you can feel the difference technique makes. Japanese sweets arrive partway through to balance the tea's flavor.

The session runs two hours total. You begin by watching the ceremony unfold, which gives you the rhythm and atmosphere before you pick up the tools yourself. After observing, you move to the brewing station and work through the process hands-on. The guide speaks English or Japanese depending on your preference. Photography is encouraged, so you can document the details and take the memory home.

Hakone's public transportation reaches the venue, and the space is wheelchair accessible. If you want to wear a kimono during the class, you can add that rental when you book. It's optional and priced separately at checkout.

What’s included

• Two-hour workshop with live instruction in English or Japanese.
• observation of a traditional sencha tea ceremony.
• hands-on brewing practice with authentic tea utensils under a Higashi Abe school master's guidance.
• Japanese green tea (Gyokuro) to brew and taste.
• Japanese sweets (Wagashi) served during the class.

Days and timesDaily · 10:30 and 13:00

AgesAges 18+ · 15 to 17 years · 6 to 14 years · Under 6

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “The meeting place is Chaseki (green tea cafe), in Goura (Hakone).”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by 煎茶道体験

Is this one for you?Choose this class if you want to move beyond watching and actually learn the technique: handling the utensils yourself is what lets you feel how small adjustments in temperature or timing shift the flavor. Add the kimono rental if you want to dress for the ceremony and have the full cultural experience in photographs.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

15 to 17 years; 6 to 14 years; under 6.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What's the difference between sencha and matcha tea ceremony?

Sencha uses whole green tea leaves that are steeped and poured, while matcha uses powdered green tea whisked into hot water. This class teaches sencha-do, the traditional method of brewing leaf tea, which requires different utensils and technique than matcha preparation.

Do I actually get to handle the tea utensils, or just watch?

You handle them yourself. After observing the ceremony, you brew your own tea using the authentic utensils under the instructor's guidance. Most workshops don't allow this, but hands-on practice is the core of this class.

Can I take photos during the class?

Yes, photography is encouraged throughout. You can capture the ceremony, your brewing process, and the tea itself to remember the details and share the experience.

Is the kimono rental included, or do I need to add it?

Kimono rental is optional and added at checkout if you want it. The class itself includes the tea ceremony observation, hands-on brewing instruction, Japanese sweets, and green tea to taste.