Feel the subtle art of traditional Japanese tea ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony, called sado, chado or chanoyu in Japanese, is a ceremonial way of preparing and drinking matcha, powdered green tea, in a traditional tearoom with tatami floor. Though brought to Japan in the 9th century by a Buddhist monk on his return from China, tea only had been in widespread use of all social classes by the 13th century. Sen no Rikyu (1522-1591) is considered the father of the modern way of tea, particularly the tradition of wabi-cha that has a greater emphasis on rustic simplicity. Beyond just a hot drink, the tea ceremony represents the true essence of Japanese hospitality, by observing certain rules and aesthetic values in a distinctive and calm atmosphere. Today, tourists to Japan can experience this cultural activity at some traditional gardens or culture centers. Best destinations are Kyoto and Uji. In most cases, you can expect to see how true tea ceremony is performed, taste the green tea, and learn about the basic points of this important event.
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