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.