Authentic Japanese Tea ceremony in a private tea room of the prestigious Master

A Tranquil Tea Room in the Heart of Tokyo

To-Ri-An is located in Kakinokizaka in Meguro, Tokyo. Here, Professors Souei Funakoshi and Souai Kawada host traditional tea ceremonies in the Urasenke tradition, one of the oldest and most prestigious in Japan. Fluent in both English and Japanese, they are highly experienced at guiding guests from all over the world.

The nijiriguchi leads to a small tea room

The whole building is remarkably quiet considering its surroundings, and features two tea rooms. One eight-mat (approximately 100 square feet) room can host multiple guests in comfort, while a smaller two-mat (approximately 35 square feet) room is designed in the stripped-back wabi-cha style. This latter room features an extremely small nijiriguchi doorway, which was originally designed to force guests to remove their swords and crawl inside.

Japanese Sensibilities in Every Detail

Entering the tea room, guests will explore the traditions behind each element of the decor. The tea master offers commentary on the traditional hanging scroll and flower arrangement, each designed to harmonize with the season, each other, and the theme of that day’s tea ceremony.

Examining the hanging scroll

The first course features rich koicha, or ‘thick tea’, paired with fresh, seasonal wagashi confectionery. In the dignified atmosphere of the tea room, guests can observe the tea master preparing the wagashi with practiced, flowing movements. All the while, the tea master will guide guests in traditional etiquette and appreciation of the ceremony.

Explaining tea ceremony etiquette

A seasonal wagashi sweet, enjoyed before the koicha course

After enjoying the confectionery, guests are presented with thick koicha tea made with the finest matcha powder. The tea is served in a fine black Raku ware bowl of the kind highly prized in tea ceremony. Few who are not tea ceremony practitioners have the chance to enjoy matcha in this fashion – guests are invited to appreciate the deep history and craft held within the tea bowl.

The jet-black Raku ware tea bowl emphasises the green of the matcha tea

After the koicha comes light usucha, or ‘thin tea’. Guests will enjoy two kinds of dried confectionary before usucha tea is served. Each expresses the season, though they have traditionally been used to imply themes, send messages, and even refer to in-jokes in the hands of a skilled tea master. They are, of course, beautiful and delicious in their own right. After eating, the master will prepare a bowl of light usucha tea. If koicha is the ‘main course’ of the tea ceremony, usucha might be thought of as the dessert, where attendees can relax slightly.

This experience offers guests the rare opportunity to enjoy both the rich, dignified atmosphere of koicha service, and the peaceful mood that comes from drinking usucha among company.

A dried confectionery, enjoyed before usucha tea is served

The tea master prepares usucha tea

A Greater Understanding of Tea

Especially for beginners, the tea ceremony can have many unfamiliar aspects. Even those well-versed in the tradition may wish to know more about the precise utensils, food, and decor chosen for that day. The tea masters endeavor to create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere as the ceremony draws to a close, and are delighted to answer questions or discuss further any points that guests may be interested in.

Enjoying conversation over a bowl of tea

A Respite From Daily Life

Tea ceremonies are normally held only for those who have trained in the art, and can last four hours or more. This experience condenses the essence of the tea ceremony into approximately eighty minutes so that all comers can experience its unique atmosphere and sensibilities.

The tea ceremony was originally a way for merchants and noblemen to escape from the rigors of daily life and enjoy time with others in an intimate environment. It still serves this purpose today, and is all the more important as our lives get busier, noisier, and less personal. Alone, with family, friends, or strangers, the tea ceremony is a way to reconnect with our five senses and reconnect with our spirit. It is furthermore considered the highest expression of Japanese culture.

The name ‘To-Ri-An’ is derived from an ancient Chinese poem

Enhanced Hospitality with Chakaiseki

Sen no Rikyu, the founder of tea ceremony, said “A house needs only not to leak. A meal needs only to stop one from starving.” In other words, hospitality is everything. If they have time to spare, guests may optionally indulge in a traditional chakaiseki meal, prepared by the tea master, and experience this sense of simple hospitality themselves. Chakaiseki’s fresh and ever-changing ingredients make it an excellent way to explore the current season.

The ingredients used in chakaiseki change with the season

Feel the Authenticity with Optional Kimono

Guests may also choose to wear traditional kimono robes for their tea ceremony experience for an even more authentic feel. This addition is limited to 2 women and 2 men per group.