A tea ceremony school for beginners near Itabashi-Honcho Station. Those with absolutely no prior experience are warmly welcome.
Though set in a private residence, the space includes a hiroma(eight-tatami room) as well as a koma (small tea room) complete with a roji garden and nijiriguchi entrance — allowing full chaji (formal tea gatherings) to be held here.
Water sounds, and time slows.
The heart, mirrored in a single bowl.
The season has a voice. Listen.
Every gesture, a quiet beauty.
About the Instructor
I have practiced the way of tea for over twenty years, and continue to deepen my own practice today.
My aim is always to teach each gesture with care — conveying not just the form, but the state of mind behind it.
Learning as a Resident
This isn't a one-time tourist experience — it's a place you can return to, as tea becomes part of your daily rhythm.
Just an 8-minute walk from Itabashi-Honcho Station, this school is easy to fit into daily life — not a one-time trip, but a place you can return to, week after week, as tea becomes part of your routine.
Lessons are taught in Japanese. For students who already have conversational Japanese, this is where the practice truly opens up — the vocabulary of tea (挨拶、道具の名前、季節の言葉) is inseparable from the experience itself. Learning sadō in Japanese isn't a barrier here; it's the point.
A basic level of everyday Japanese conversation is recommended to get the most from lessons.
Schedule
Lessons are by advance reservation only, with up to five students per session. You're free to choose from any available lesson dates.
| Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AM | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||
| PM | ◯ | |||||
| Night | ● | ● | ● | ● |
*Slots marked ● are held 3 weeks per month; slots marked ◯ are held 2 weeks per month.
Fees
Monthly tuition is available in two plans — 3 lessons or 1 lesson per month — and you can switch between them each month to suit your schedule.
| First-time students(no Kyojō / certification) | ¥5,500 |
|---|---|
| Students holding up to"Chabako-date" certification | ¥11,000 |
| Students holding"Satsubako" certification or above | From ¥22,000+ (by consultation) |
| 3 lessons/month | ¥11,000 |
|---|---|
| 1 lessons/month | ¥5,000 |
The heart that resolves to walk this path
is, itself, the truest teacher.
— from the poems of Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591), founder of the Way of Tea
FAQ
Is it okay if I'm a complete beginner?
Yes, absolutely — we welcome beginners with open arms. We teach carefully from the very basics, so there's no need to worry. In fact, those who are just starting out are exactly who we hope to meet.
I've studied tea ceremony (sadō) abroad — can I join?
Yes. If you'd like to start fresh from the basics and feel aligned with our teaching approach, you're welcome to join, regardless of where you studied before. Please note that we're unable to accept students who are currently studying under another teacher elsewhere.
How much Japanese do I need to know?
Lessons are conducted in Japanese, so a basic level of everyday conversational Japanese is recommended to get the most out of your lessons. Much of tea ceremony is learned through observation and practice rather than verbal explanation, so this needn't be a barrier — but conversational Japanese will help you follow along smoothly.
Is there a trial lesson?
We don't offer a trial lesson, but you're welcome to observe a lesson beforehand. This lets you get a feel for the atmosphere, and if you'd like to continue, we'll guide you through joining. You can apply for an observation visit in the "Observation Visits" section above.
What will I learn?
You'll learn the fundamental gestures, tea preparation (temae), and etiquette of tea ceremony, working toward being able to host your own tea gatherings (chakai) and formal tea events (chaji) in time. Lessons here aren't focused solely on earning certifications (Kyojō).
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
Tea utensils, matcha, and sweets are all provided by the school. You'll need a few personal items to get started — fukusa, sensu, kaishi, kashikiri, and a sukiya-bukuro (carrying pouch) — and we'll go over what to buy when you join.
How do I pay tuition?
Tuition is paid in cash. (You may notice that even the handling of money has its own careful form in the world of tea ceremony — you'll come to learn this too.)
How do lessons progress?
You'll begin with waregeiko — practicing individual movements like bowing and parts of the tea-serving procedure — before gradually building up to full beginner-level temae. Tea ceremony isn't something you master quickly; if you're hoping for fast results, this may not be the right fit.
Can I cancel or reschedule a lesson?
You may cancel a reservation before the deadline. If you don't cancel in time, it will still count as attended and the ticket will be used. Tickets are valid only within the month they were issued and cannot be carried over.
Are there other foreign students?
This school is still quite new, so we don't yet have students from abroad — in fact, we don't have many students at all yet. You'd be very welcome to be among our first.
Is there a dress code?
Western clothing is fine as long as it's suitable for sitting in seiza — please avoid revealing outfits. You'll change into clean socks or tabi before entering the tea room. Kimono is of course welcome too.
Can I start partway through a month or year?
Yes, you can start any time — there's no need to wait for a particular month.
Observation Visits
Before joining, you're welcome to observe a lesson and see the tea room.
Once you apply for a visit, we'll get back to you with available dates and times.
Observation visits are free of charge.