Hama-rikyu Gardens

Always wanted to learn more about the Japanese tea ceremony but never found a suitable opportunity? Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony is a large-scale tea ceremony where even those who aren’t familiar with the custom are welcome to participate. The event will be held at the Hamarikyu Gardens on Saturday October 4 and Sunday October 5, and then two weekends later at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum on October 18 and October 19. Seven to eight tea ceremony sessions happen daily between 10am and 4.15pm, and sessions cost ¥800 per person (¥500 for the children’s session). While the indoor tea ceremony in Japanese is already booked out, the English sessions held outdoors at Kaboku-en Gazebo and Tsunashima Family Farmhouse can be booked at the venue on the day itself. Check the schedule of each venue here: Hama-rikyu and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. Aside from the tea ceremonies, you’ll find plenty of other cultural programmes including live performances of satokagura (Shinto ceremonial folk dance), koto, ikebana (Flower arrangement), and more at the Hamarikyu Gardens venue. Check the website to see what’s on at each venue. Entrance to the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is free during the event.

Admire the autumn full moon this autumn in the beautifully illuminated gardens of Hamarikyu. This sprawling Tokyo green space, which once belonged to the powerful Tokugawa shogunate, will stay open until 9pm from October 31 to November 5. This special night opening is held to celebrate Kurimeigetsu (November 2), believed to be the second most beautiful evening to catch the harvest moon.  Stemming from the moon-viewing tradition known as tsukimi, which dates back to the Heian period (794-1185 AD), the event will begin with an offering ceremony on October 31 at 6pm at the lawn near the Shiojiri pond. This will be followed by a flute performance by Kagura performer Yuya Ishimori. Guided moon viewing tours (¥500, cash only) in English are available on November 1 at 6.30pm. The meeting point is at the Matsu no Ochaya teahouse. Spaces are limited, based on a first-come, first-served basis through an online booking form. The Nakajima no Ochaya teahouse, which boasts spectacular views of the garden, is also offering a special tsukimi-themed nerikiri sweet and tea set for the duration of the event, a perfect light evening snack. Afterwards, enjoy traditional instrumental music performed near the Umashide no Mikoto statue. There are multiple 30-minute performances from two gagaku bands daily, from 6pm to 8.30pm.