Although the tea ceremony is one of Japan’s traditional cultural practices, it is not a common activity for children to learn. While the culture of drinking tea is widespread, many Japanese people, including myself, have never experienced the formal practices of a traditional tea ceremony. Although I love both sencha and matcha, I have never formally studied the traditional etiquette. Here, I would like to introduce a tea room where both Japanese people like myself and foreign visitors interested in Japanese culture can experience an authentic tea ceremony in a relaxed yet genuine setting.
Gen-an: 弦庵
Genan Tea Room
Located just a two-minute walk from Ginkaku-ji Temple.
Online Reservation
You can make a reservation online. Sessions are mainly held on weekends, but it is sometimes possible to book a week in advance. The website is available in English, allowing you to easily make reservations.
Session Times
Each session lasts 45 minutes.
– 12:30 – 13:15
– 13:30 – 14:15
– 15:00 – 15:45
– 16:00 – 16:45
Dress Code
While you are free to dress as you like, there are some types of clothing that you might want to avoid. For example, it is advisable to refrain from wearing revealing clothes such as tank tops. Men should avoid wearing shorts. Although not explicitly stated in the guidelines, it is best to dress in a manner that shows respect. Please note that barefoot is not allowed; you are required to wear socks.
Fees
The cost varies depending on whether you reserve a private session or join a shared session. For a shared session, the fee is 4,000 yen per person. Please note that translation into foreign languages is prohibited during shared sessions. If you need translation, please reserve a private session. Payment can be made in cash or via PayPay (a Japanese e-money service).
Guidance and Etiquette
Please arrive at the gate of the building where the tea room is located at least five minutes before your session starts. One of the assistant will greet you at the gate.
During the experience, the assistant will explain everything. There are specific etiquettes for entering the tea room and receiving the sweets, but the assistant will guide you through all the steps to ensure you do not miss anything. Traditionally, one sits in the seiza position in the tea room, but for those who have difficulty sitting this way or are not used to it, there are chairs available to assist with seiza. If you are not confident in sitting in seiza for an extended period, you can use one of these chairs.
This is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, learn about its etiquette, and enjoy the serene atmosphere of an authentic tea room. Whether you are a Japanese local or a foreign visitor, this experience will surely provide a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture.
