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Opening the Teahouse by Ogata Gekko 尾形月耕

Preparing for the tea ceremony, much like the actual ritual itself, follows a series of steps that leads up to the event. First, invitations are sent by the host several weeks prior. The tea room will then be prepared to aesthetically fit the season, from changing the decorations, tatami mats, switching out the tools, to just cleaning the room. Wagashi, or traditional Japanese sweets would be typically prepared for the ceremony while some would include a kaiseki meal--a multi-course Japanese haute cuisine.

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Tokyo

Kyoto

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Arima Onsen

Arima Onsen (有馬温泉) is one of Japan's Three Oldest Hot Springs, located in the northern part of Kobe. Records of the town show up in documents as early as the 7th century, and the history is visible with its winding walkways and traditional wooden buildings.

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The Japanese tea ceremony is an important part of Japanese culture and history, even influencing the shaping of modern society. This form of traditional art is typically performed by tea masters who have studied the craft for years. Geishas are also masters at this, having been trained during their apprenticeship or while they were Maiko.

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The Osaka Castle

The Osaka Castle houses a museum dedicated to Japanese history and the famous daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the Great Unifiers of Japan.

Before reaching the castle, make sure to slow down and enjoy the scenery from Osaka Castle Park where you can stroll along the gardens and forests, and even let your kids have fun at the playground!

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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is one of Kyoto's most visited attractions and most photographed in Japan! When you come to visit, make sure to listen carefully when the grove sings as the trees sway in the wind. This unique and unusual sound can only be heard in the bamboo forest in Japan.

Bamboo is very common in Japanese folklore and legends such as "The Tale of Princess Kaguya". It can also be found in various Japanese dishes, ceremonies, and decorations.

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The Great Wave Off Kanagawa 神奈川沖浪裏

Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾 北斎, 1831

This iconic work is one of the most recognized in the world and is probably why you stopped scrolling through your feed. The work is greatly dominated by an enormous wave threatening to capsize three boats with Mount Fuji in the distant landscape.

Hokusai and his Great Wave were greatly admired by a number of Western artists such as Vincent Van Gogh who noted that the work invoked a terrifying emotional impact. It also inspired other artists and serves as the reference for the wave emoji 🌊🌊🌊

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Tango no Sekku (1844) by Katsushika Hokusai 葛飾北斎

Tango no Sekku is an annual festival that once started during the Nara Period (710-794) to celebrate boys. The samurai hat 兜 and armor 甲冑 are displayed during the festival to wish boys protection and strength. The irises were used as medicinal plants and were used as a symbol for health (hence the other name, Ayame no hi or iris festival)--children would also play with the leaves in pretend swordfights.

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Himeji Castle (姫路城) or White Heron Castle is one of the best existing castle architectures from the early 17th century in Japan. The castle is located in the Hyogo Prefecture, atop a hill on the central part of the Harima Plain, and has 83 buildings made mainly of wood.

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Tea Ceremony (1880), Miyagawa Shuntei 宮川 春汀

The Japanese tea ceremony, ever since the Edo Period, has barely changed or evolved over the years. The same methods of preparation have been used up to this day, even the decorations and set up of tea rooms. The only difference now is that anyone can experience the tea ceremony.

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Did you know that kimonos have their own seasonal variations too? Even though the yukata is typically worn for warm summers, kimonos have their own designs according to seasons, festivals, and other events. Of course, seasonal kimonos are not strictly observed but they're still fascinating to know about. Some designs will even let people know if you're married and even your age! You can even wear a kimono during a tea ceremony! Tokyo Kyoto

Can't travel to Japan? You can have a tea ceremony online instead!

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The "Stairway to Mt. Fuji" has about 400 steps that lead up to the vermillion Chureito Pagoda. This long climb is a great chance to take a breather from the rush of a vacation or fleeting trips in the neon lights of the surrounding cities, especially when it's in the morning before the sunrise or when the sun starts to set. Make sure to add it to your Japan bucket list!

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Sakura, or cherry blossom, is one of the most well-known representations of Japan. The delicate flower is a symbol of fleeting life, new beginnings, and that no darkness or season is eternal for spring will always come.

Spring is also the most visited season in Japan, especially when the cherry blossoms start to bloom and fall. This year (2021), spring came to Japan earlier than usual on March 11, the earliest record in more than a thousand years.

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The Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社) is a popular Shinto shrine in Miyajima. It's easily recognized for its torii gate, which looks like it's floating on the water especially during high tide. This landmark is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan's National Treasures.

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Kinkakuji (金閣寺), or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion is known for being completely covered in gold leaf--at least the top two floors. This extravagant structure first served as the retirement home of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu when he purchased it in 1397, before it was converted into a Zen temple upon his death by his son.

The Golden Pavilion is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto!

Did you know you can still visit Kyoto without coming out of your home? Check out our Virtual Kyoto Tour!

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What makes matcha different from regular green tea?

Although they both come from the same plant, the process of preparing each type of tea separates one from the other. For matcha, tea leaves are covered with a cloth or straw and left to grow in the shade. For green tea, the leaves are grown in the full sun. The most distinct characteristic between these two, however, is that matcha will come in powder form and mixed in hot water while green tea is steeped.

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Red Kimono

Kimonos are more commonly worn by the Japanese during special occasions and ceremonies such as graduations, weddings, and other cultural activities such as the tea ceremony or ikebana.

While it's rare to find a Japanese person wearing a kimono in downtown Tokyo, both foreigners and locals would wear one in Kyoto. This mesmerizing sight is common in historic neighborhoods, temples, and shrines.

More on the Kimono

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Entering a Tea Room by Toshikata Mizuno 水野年方

The tea ceremony is traditionally held in a tatami tea room. These rooms are decorated with simplistic accents, where everything has a designated place that leaves no room for clutter.

Tea Ceremony and Kimono Experience Kyoto

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