A lounge
Experiencing the tea ceremony
A 90-minute English workshop provides you with the experience of chado in an authentic tea room with tatami mats.
Four sessions are held each day. Because seats are limited, reservation is recommended.
The information for professionals in the travel industry
For your information, we provide you the additional information based on some inquiries and requests we often receive.
At Home Learning Course
A video course for people who would like to master the basics of the Japanese tea ceremony (Chado) at home and at their own pace.
Enjoy a meditative time
and master the art of chado
If you are keen to learn more about chado (tea ceremony) and master the official procedure of a matcha tea making process, please join our regular class.
Mika (Soka) Haneishi
Ms. Mika Haneishi, whose tea name is “Soka,” has over twenty years of “Chado” experience. She studied “The Way of Tea” under Mme. Sosei Matsumoto, who was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in the United States.
Ms. Mika Haneishi is a 1st degree instructor of the Urasenke School of Chado, the largest Chado school in the world.
She teaches beginner to advanced classes for students in Japan. She also established the Shizu-Kokoro Chado School in Asakusa, Tokyo to introduce this unique culture to foreigners, and she organizes Chado workshops and seminars for international audiences.
Asakusa is in the downtown area and in one of the districts of Taito-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. It is famous for the Sensō Ji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. The first temple was founded in 645 AD, which makes it the oldest temple in Tokyo. Over 3 million people visit Asakusa every year, and the number is increasing every year. Many things make Asakusa popular worldwide.
Atmosphere:
Asakusa is one of the few areas in Tokyo where the ordinary lifestyle and buildings that were rebuilt in Japan right after World War II remain. The Asakusa area is characterized by small houses and buildings on narrow streets, and the area is crowded with various small shops. Many Japanese people also visit Asakusa to enjoy the old style of Japan.
Shopping:
Nakamise is a shopping street located on the path to Senso-Ji. It provides temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs.Kappa-Bashi is famous for cooking tools and utensils. Japanese kitchen knife (Hocho) is especially famous and popular to foreigners due to its quality.
Festivals and Events:
There are many kinds of festivals and events all year round in various parts of Asakusa.
Check for more detailed information here.
http://e-asakusa.jp/en/
Chado is not about just drinking matcha tea; chado is a ceremony requiring years of practice and discipline to master. The ultimate goal of chado is to achieve enlightenment through discipline of the mind. We learn this in a natural way through the association with people who gather to enjoy a bowl of tea. Through the practice of chado, one can cultivate self-esteem, focus, discipline, and a sense of inner peace. The ceremonial gatherings value spiritual elevation beyond daily life.
The Way of Tea:
Cha means “tea” and do means “path” or “way.” So, chado can be translated as “the way of tea.” Chado means to spiritually embody the truth of the universe.
The Concept of Chado is Based on Zen:
Drinking matcha in a ritual ceremony started as part of a daily discipline by Zen monks. Preparing and drinking of tea should be an expression of the Zen belief that every act of daily life is a potential act that can lead to enlightenment.
Art of Time:
The host invites guest(s) to his or her tea gathering, called a chaji or cha-kai. It cannot truly be described without experiencing it. Basically, chado is the ceremony to explore, discover, and appreciate time—time being in nature and time sharing precious moments with others.
Senses and Sensibility:
Chado means to sense the esthetic significance and find a distinct artistic accomplishment in the preparation and drinking of tea. Also, it requires becoming appreciative of things around you, including hospitality, art, nature, and precious moments with people. Therefore, you become more sensible by practicing chado.
