Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony (東京大茶会) has been held yearly since 2008. Its main objective is to introduce the Japanese tea ceremony, as well as the culture of Edo-Tokyo, to an overseas audience. A tea ceremony is usually a formal event, but Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony aims to create a lively atmosphere so that everyone learns in a pleasant way. Since its beginning, the event has attracted over 100,000 persons.
The event takes place across two weekends, with differing venues:
- Oct 4 – 5 @ Hamarikyu Gardens (9am–5pm)
- Oct 18 – 19 @ Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (9:30am–4:30pm)
Access to the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum is free while Hamarikyu Gardens is 300 yen for adults.
Visitors will pay a fee attend a tea ceremony — tea and traditional Japanese wagashi sweets are included. Also, please note that reservations are required if you want to attend the indoor tea ceremonies (Cha-seki) that will be held at each location.
If you don't manage to get a ticket to attend a Cha-seki, don't worry: Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony has something for everyone! At both locations, it is possible to attend an outdoor tea ceremony called a Nodate and the workshops will be available for beginners and children. At Hama-rikyu Gardens a Nodate will be performed with an English interpretation so that foreigners can better understand Japanese tea ceremony. Tickets to attend all these tea ceremonies can be purchased directly at each location.
Unlike what is indicated by its name, Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony is not only about tea ceremonies. Various events are scheduled to suit all tastes: traditional dance performances, demonstrations of Japanese candy art, and many others.
If one wants to bring some souvenirs back home, then wagashi, green tea and even some of the tools used during the ceremonies are available for sale at Hama-rikyu Gardens.
Perfect for those who want to impress their relatives by showing them what they have just learned!
