Table-style Tea Ceremony Combining Tradition and Modernity at a Historic Guest House in Hyogo

A Spanish-style Western Building Built a Century Ago

Ashiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, is a peaceful residential area that once housed many Western-style buildings. Gallery Kaiyou, the venue for this experience, was built 100 years ago by Mr. Sugawara, a successful businessman from Senba, Osaka. Originally a guest house, this charming Spanish-style building has long been known as the "house with the red roof and stained glass."

Warm light shines through the stained glass

The stained glass that softly illuminates the landing leading to the second floor, the original lamps, and the rare arched windows all reflect the careful attention to design. Stepping inside this well-preserved Western-style building feels like stepping into a movie or novel from the past.

The interior, including carpets and lamps, is a rare surviving example from the Taisho period (1912-1926)

Table-style Tea Ceremony – Bringing Tradition into Casual Daily Life

In this experience, you'll enjoy a table-style tea ceremony in a reception room once used for banquets. The original carpet, fireplace, and shelves evoke the past, creating an impressive atmosphere. Soumi Sugo, vice director of the Table-Style Tea Ceremony Association Setsugetsuka, will guide you with her gentle, graceful presence. Relax and enjoy the world of tea while having a pleasant conversation with Sugo.

Sugo warmly welcomes guests

The table-style tea ceremony is a modern take on tradition, created to fit contemporary lifestyles. No need for a Japanese-style room, kimono, or formal seating. It’s casual enough for beginners, yet offers the chance to learn the elegance, spirit of hospitality, and knowledge that are central to the tea ceremony.

Be captivated by the flow of the tea ceremony

Experience Chabako Temae—A Tea Ceremony in a Small Box

Sugo will teach you chabako temae, a tea ceremony style that dates back to the 1500s, adapted for the modern table-style tea ceremony. Chabako temae uses a compact "tea box" that contains all the necessary tools, allowing you to enjoy an authentic tea ceremony anywhere, even if you're a beginner.

Beautiful tools stored in a small box

You can enjoy different tools from the tea box based on the season or your personal preferences, depending on the occasion. Sugo’s collection includes traditional tea ceremony boxes as well as modern ones made from baskets and cartonage. Each tea box introduces new possibilities for your tea ceremony experience.

Sugo's tea box collection, each with its own unique personality

The experience begins with a demonstration of chabako temae by Sugo. As you admire the elegant tools and seasonal arrangements, learn about basic tea ceremony etiquette, like how to drink matcha and enjoy sweets. Afterward, savor Japanese sweets, their gentle sweetness complementing the rich flavor of Sugo's matcha, leaving you with a warm, satisfying feeling.

Beautiful and delicate Japanese sweets, made for each season

A Special Moment to Choose Your Place and Tools for Making Matcha

After Sugo’s lecture and the tea ceremony demonstration, it’s time to try it yourself. Choose from various tea boxes and utensils selected by Sugo, and practice the tea ceremony at your favorite spot in Gallery Kaiyou. If you're unsure of the steps, don't worry—Sugo will guide you through them, step by step. Find a place that speaks to you and enjoy the experience.

Select your tea box, teapot, and tea bowl

A great spot is by the arched window, a symbol of the Western-style building, where you can enjoy matcha while looking out over the lush garden. In spring, the garden’s wisteria blooms with pale purple flowers, offering a unique seasonal atmosphere. Tune into your senses and savor the matcha’s rich flavor in this special setting.

A rich, luxurious moment that soothes the soul

Incorporate the Table-style Tea Ceremony into Your Daily Life

This experience offers a quiet, intimate tea ceremony within a historic Western-style building in a peaceful residential area. Enjoy seasonal arrangements created by Sugo, a tea master and ikebana expert, and listen to her stories as you sip matcha. It’s a special experience that will refine your senses.

Enjoy the seasonal arrangements

As a souvenir, you’ll receive a beautiful kaishi paper with a seasonal design. In tea ceremonies, kaishi paper is traditionally used to serve sweets, wipe the mouth, or wrap sweets to take home. Beyond these uses, it can also double as a message card or for other creative purposes. If you’re intrigued by the world of tea, why not try practicing the ceremony at home using your own items? Whether alone or with family and friends, take a break from your routine and savor a special moment appreciating the beauty of the changing seasons.