What to Expect at a Japanese Tea Ceremony (Etiquette + Key Vocabulary)

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If you have the chance to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in Japan, you should definitely partake and see what it’s all about!

In this fast-paced, digital age, taking the time out to do something as simple as preparing a cup of tea can be a great way to slow down, re-connect with yourself and engage your senses.

Tea is a massive part of everyday Japanese life. It is enjoyed by all ages, sometimes iced as a refreshment during summer or hot after a nice meal. Tea is even popular as a mixer in alcoholic beverages!

There are tons of options for teas in Japan; sencha green tea, barley tea, oolong tea, jasmine tea and of course the now global favourite – matcha. Matcha is essentially finely-ground powdered green tea leaves and requires special preparation to give it that smooth, silky finish. And it’s matcha that is the star of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

What is the Japanese tea ceremony?

Tea ceremony is known as cha no yu (茶の湯 / ちゃのゆ). Cha is ‘tea’ in Japanese, while yu refers to the hot water used to prepare the tea.

Another more formal and philosophical word for tea ceremony is chado (茶道 / ちゃどう), also pronounced sado. This translates to ‘way of tea’, in much the same way that judo (柔道 / じゅうどう) means ‘the way of gentleness’ and shado (書道 / しょどう) means ‘the way of writing’, ie Japanese calligraphy.

Essentially, cha no yu or chado is a traditional and ceremonial way of preparing matcha green tea. It is often done in a tatami room, kimonos are generally worn (at least by the host) and Japanese traditional sweets called wagashi are enjoyed alongside the freshly brewed tea.

Person in a floral kimono prepares tea using traditional Japanese utensils, embracing Japanese tea ceremony etiquette and Japanese tea vocabulary, with sweets on the side for an authentic experience.

Though it may sound simple, due to its traditional and spiritual roots, the process is actually extremely intentional and mindful.

A full formal ceremony can run from 3-4 hours while the more common, simplified ceremony ranges from about 30-90 minutes.

Depending on the establishment you attend, tea ceremonies can range from simply observing the host doing the tea making and then having a taste, to even donning a kimono yourself and participating in the making of the tea.

You will be more likely to experience the latter in places in Japan which are steeped in tradition and renowned for top quality matcha, such as Kyoto and Uji.

The history of the Japanese tea ceremony

It is said that tea was first introduced to Japan from China by Buddhist monks in the 9th-12th century.

At first, it was a luxury mainly used by the monks in temples as a way to meditate (and caffeinate). Throughout time, tea culture began to spread to the Japanese elite, the shogun and the samurai.

Eventually, thanks to the influence of Zen Buddhism, tea ceremony became less focused on luxury and status, and more focused on mindfulness and simplicity.

A master called Sen no Rikyun, known as the father of Japanese tea ceremony, shaped the ceremony into what we see today: a ritual carried out in a peaceful, humble setting, with precise meaningful movements.

A person in traditional clothing pours hot water from a wooden ladle into a cast iron teapot, with steam rising—capturing the grace and precision of the Japanese tea ceremony.

There are four spiritual principles of tea:

Wa (和わ) – Harmony, with ourselves and nature.
Kei (敬 / けい) – Respect, and appreciation for what we have.
Sei (清 / せい) – Purity, external cleanliness in the utensils and our hands but also inner cleanliness. A mind free from clutter.
Jaku (寂 / じゃく) – Tranquility, the result of practicing wa, kei and sei. Inner peace.

What happens at a Japanese tea ceremony

Upon arrival at a tea house, the host will invite you to wash (or purify) your hands. Some establishments offer a kimono dressing service, while other ceremonies can be carried out in one’s own clothing. If you are attending in your own clothing, opt for simple, but not too casual dress. (And wear clothes you can comfortably sit on the floor in – nothing too tight or short!) It is also imperative not to wear a strong perfume as this will detract from the scent of the tea. You will likely have to remove your shoes before entering the tea room.

The tea room is often small and you may have to hunch over while entering through the doorway. This is intentional, and designed to promote humility in the room. You will then be seated in a seiza or kneeling position, so keep this in mind if you find it difficult to sit in this position for long periods of time. Chairs may be available for guests with mobility issues, but it’s worth checking with the host ahead of time.

People in traditional clothing participate in a Japanese Tea Ceremony, sitting on tatami mats with bowls placed in front of them, carefully observing tea ceremony etiquette. — Guests traditionally sit in the *seiza* position, kneeling with your legs tucked underneath you. Image: KuboBella, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Traditional Japanese sweets, wagashi, are served first. Wagashi are small, seasonal confectionaries often made of plant-based ingredients and filled with red bean paste. The sweetness serves to balance the bitterness of the matcha to come. The delicate appearance of the sweet is just as important as the taste, so take time to appreciate it.

A cup of matcha green tea sits next to a pink flower-shaped wagashi sweet and a small fork on a tray with white paper, capturing the essence of Japanese Tea Ceremony and its refined tea ceremony etiquette. — Wagashi sweets usually have seasonal designs and are eaten with a small wooden pick or knife.

The host will then demonstrate how to properly prepare the tea. This starts by using a special spoon called a chashaku to scoop a measure of matcha powder into a bowl called a chawan. Hot water is added to the bowl and a bamboo whisk known as a chasen is used to combine the two and create the perfect brew. Depending on the experience, the host will prepare a bowl of tea for each participant, or allow you to make your own tea.

A bowl of prepared matcha tea, a bamboo whisk on a plate, and a container of matcha powder with a wooden spatula are arranged on a white surface, evoking the grace and precision of Japanese tea ceremony etiquette. — Implements used in preparing matcha

In any case, as for drinking the tea, you first start with a slight bow to show appreciation. You can then pick up the bowl with your right hand, place it on the left and then rotate it, admiring the design of the bowl, its beauty and even its imperfections. You should rotate the bowl so that the front is now facing away from you. The front is seen as the most beautiful side of the bowl, so sipping from the back shows humility. Take a few sips and place the bowl back down, rotated to its original position.

Person in a yellow patterned kimono holds a brown ceramic tea bowl with both hands, highlighting the etiquette central to the Japanese Tea Ceremony. — Hold the tea bowl on your left palm and rotate it, taking time to admire the design. The design of the cup is often chosen to reflect the season.

When you are finished with the tea, wipe the rim where you drank from with a silk cloth and finally take a last look of appreciation and admiration at the empty bowl.

Key Japanese tea ceremony vocabulary

English	Kanji	Hiragana	Romaji
Tea ceremony	茶の湯	ちゃのゆ	cha no yu
Tea ceremony (the way of tea)	茶道	ちゃどう / さどう	chado / sado
Matcha	抹茶	まっちゃ	matcha
Tea room	茶室	ちゃしつ	chashitsu
Host	亭主	ていしゅ	teishu
Bowl for tea	茶碗	ちゃわん	chawan
Bamboo whisk	茶筅	ちゃせん	chasen
Bamboo spoon	茶杓	ちゃしゃく	chashaku
Iron kettle	釜	かま	kama
Silk cloth	袱紗	ふくさ	fukusa
Japanese traditional sweets	和菓子	わがし	wagashi

Attending a tea ceremony

If you are invited to attend a Japanese tea ceremony, you might feel a little nervous about all the rules and formalities! But don’t worry – as a visitor, you won’t be expected to memorise all the steps.

The person leading the ceremony will indicate what you should do and when. The important thing is to be respectful, and follow any cues.

If you ever get the chance to attend a Japanese tea ceremony, it’s well worth it! It will provide a moment of calm, and a fascinating insight into Japanese culture.

Hannah Stafford

Hannah is a half Irish/half Japanese girl living in Ireland. Her love for Japan and the Japanese language led her to studying languages and translation in university where she specialised in Japanese. She spent a year studying abroad at Rikkyo University in Tokyo. In her free time, Hannah enjoys using her sewing machine to upcycle clothes and create new pieces!