Tatami Ritual Tea Experience

Service Description

Step into a traditional tatami setting and experience Japanese tea as a living art form. This intimate private gathering offers a rare opportunity to step outside the ordinary and encounter Japanese tea through ritual, seasonality, beauty, and presence. Rooted in classical Japanese tea practice and the aesthetics of the changing seasons, this experience invites you to slow down, observe, participate, and savor a moment that exists only once. What to Expect Arrival & Threshold Guests are welcomed into a traditional tatami setting and invited to leave their shoes at the threshold. A brief orientation introduces the seasonal theme, the etiquette of the tea room, and the spirit of Japanese tea. Seasonal Wagashi Your experience begins with a carefully selected Japanese confection inspired by the season. Guests are introduced to the sweet’s design, symbolism, and relationship to the natural world. The Art of Tea An Urasenke-style tea preparation is performed in the traditional manner. Guests are invited to observe the deliberate choreography of the host—the movements, sounds, stillness, and attention that transform the preparation of tea into an art. Your Turn at the Tea Table Each guest will have the opportunity to prepare and whisk their own bowl of matcha with gentle, personalized instruction. No prior experience is necessary. Philosophy & Reflection As we share tea, conversation turns toward the deeper principles of the practice: presence, seasonality, harmony, respect, and ichigo ichie—the understanding that each encounter is transient. Duration: 2 hours Private Capacity: MAXIMUM of 4 guests Location: Traditional tatami-style tea room in Hot Springs Seating: Traditional floor-level seating with cushions provided Attire: Comfortable, modest clothing recommended Tea Room Etiquette: Clean socks are required; shoes are removed before entering the tatami space. Accessibility: The tea room is NOT currently ADA accessible. Access requires navigating the entrance and participating in traditional floor-level tatami seating. Please contact us before booking if you have accessibility needs so we can discuss the current space and determine whether the experience can be accommodated. Restrooms: Restroom facilities are NOT currently available on-site. No prior tea experience is necessary. This is a private booking experience, limited to a maximum of four guests, allowing for a quiet, personal introduction to the world of Japanese tea.