Relaxed Tea Ceremony Experience in an Authentic Kyoto Tearoom with an Optional Morning Chaji Meal

Tucked into Towa Ryokan, A Tearoom Named by an Urasenke Master

Established in 1972, Towa Ryokan is a ryokan inn near Nishi Hongwanji Temple, which is within walking distance of Kyoto Station. Despite the inn's proximity to such a major transportation hub, it is located at the end of a quiet, quaint street lined with machiya townhouses, shops selling Buddhist articles, and long-standing inns.

Towa Ryokan serves as a space of relaxation, where guests can feel Kyoto's refined ambiance and savor Kyoto's signature Kyo-kaiseki haute cuisine. Additionally, following renovations, it reopened its private suite: a machiya townhouse furnished in the hybrid Japanese–modern style. Tucked in this suite is the Seika-an tearoom.

The proprietor of Towa Ryokan is Yoshiko Ota, who has practiced the Urasenke style of tea ceremony for over 30 years. Guided by the concept of a “gentle tea ceremony,” this experience takes place in Seika-an, a tearoom named by Zabosai, the 16th head of the Urasenke school. With Ms. Ota’s careful guidance, you will learn basic tea ceremony etiquette and prepare your own bowl of matcha. The experience offers a welcoming introduction to the aesthetics of Japanese tea ceremony and the spirit of hospitality at its heart, ideal even for first-time participants.

Add an Optional Morning Chaji to Experience Seasonal Cuisine and Etiquette

For the 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. session, you can add an optional morning chaji, which begins with a meal served in the tearoom. Inspired by cha-kaiseki cuisine and prepared especially for a morning tea gathering, the meal is accompanied by Ms. Ota’s explanations of the customs and etiquette associated with each course.

The meal is prepared by Towa Ryokan’s owner-chef, who trained at Uosaburo, a long-established Kyoto restaurant, and its head chef, who trained at Minokichi. Beginning with freshly cooked rice, miso soup, and mukozuke, you will enjoy seasonal dishes such as a simmered course, hassun, and pickles. Vegetarian and vegan alternatives are also available.

Following the customs of a traditional chaji, you will serve one another additional rice and take turns sharing the hassun and pickles through a practice known as torimawashi. To conclude the meal, you will pour fragrant hot water infused with toasted rice crust from a yuto into your bowls, then cleanse them with a piece of pickled daikon.

After a brief intermission, known as nakadachi, you will return to the tearoom for the tea portion of the gathering. With Ms. Ota’s guidance, you can appreciate the traditional progression from the meal to tea.

*If you choose to add the option, an additional 40 minutes will be required.

Take in the Tranquility and Beauty of the Seika-an Tearoom

The setting for the tea experience is Seika-an. Renovated in 2023, Seika-an is a traditional tearoom named by Zabosai, the 16th generation master of the prestigious Urasenke tea ceremony school, whose style of tea ceremonies Ms. Ota has been practicing for over 30 years now.

Take some time to observe and admire Seika-an's sukiya-style architecture — which is often used for teahouses — and the decor displayed in the tokonoma alcove: hanging scrolls, flower vases, and the like.

Ms. Ota will point out and explain to you the artisanship behind the architecture and design of the tearoom, such as the wooden pillars made of Japanese red pine — a rarity nowadays — and the wickerwork-patterned ceiling made of Kurobe cedar, whose color varies depending on the angle that it is viewed from.

Take time to appreciate the quality of the wood and the details throughout the tearoom, which Kyoto City recognized in 2023 as one of Kyoto’s finest wooden spaces.

A Tea Experience that Starts with the Basics

After Ms. Ota introduces Seika-an and gives you time to appreciate the tearoom, you will observe a tea preparation demonstration before preparing and enjoying your own bowl of matcha. She will explain each step and the etiquette involved, from entering the tearoom and moving gracefully within it to enjoying the tea and seasonal sweets.

In a tea gathering, or chakai, the teishu (host) may be assisted by a hanto, who helps the gathering run smoothly by supporting the host and guiding participants. With over 30 years of experience practicing the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Ms. Ota serves in this guiding role during the experience, explaining the customs and etiquette along the way.

The experience is built around the idea of a “gentle tea ceremony,” designed to make even complete beginners feel at ease. As Ms. Ota explains, “Although Seika-an is a formal tearoom named by an Urasenke master, I want it to be a welcoming place for anyone who wishes to enjoy the tea ceremony.”

*The tea experience may be led by a qualified member of Towa Ryokan’s staff rather than Ms. Ota.

When preparing tea, you will place matcha in a tea bowl at the temaeza, draw hot water from the kettle with a ladle, and whisk the tea with a chasen. As you learn the etiquette and enjoy seasonal wagashi sweets and usucha (matcha green tea with a light, frothy texture), you can take your time and settle into the experience.

By the end of the session, you will have a better understanding of the customs behind each step and the spirit of hospitality at the heart of the tea ceremony. The calm setting of the tearoom also offers a chance to pause and reflect.

*For groups of one to three guests, tea is prepared at the temaeza. For groups of four or more, tea is whisked at each guest’s seat.

A Memorable Encounter with Japanese Culture in an Authentic Tearoom

Ms. Ota says, “Through the tea ceremony, I want to convey the gentleness of the world of tea.” Many people have the impression that the world of tea, particularly the tea ceremony, is intimidating, as they find the etiquette too complex and the barriers of entry too high.

However, Ms. Ota believes that through learning the history of the tea ceremony — as well as its etiquette and practices — through this experience, guests will be able to understand the profound nature of traditional Japanese culture and feel the kindness and warmth of the tea ceremony.

“It can be something as simple and casual as ‘I want to eat wagashi.’ I would be happy if something from this experience resonated with guests and made them feel at ease.”Pay a visit to Towa Ryokan in Kyoto, where you can enjoy an encounter with Japanese culture and its aesthetics in a calming, authentic tearoom — all while being pampered with hospitality.