Tea Ceremony Basics for Visitors

Chanoyu in plain terms: what happens, what the words mean, and how to be a good guest.

The tea ceremony (chanoyu, also called sado/chado) is a choreographed gathering built around a bowl of matcha: the host prepares, the guest receives with both hands, turns the bowl so its front faces away, drinks, and admires the bowl. Key words: chasen (bamboo whisk), chawan (tea bowl), wagashi (the sweet served first, eaten before the tea). Visitor experiences in Kyoto, Uji and Kanazawa compress the form into 45-60 minutes with explanation — a good first encounter. Photography rules and seating (seiza or chair) vary by venue; follow the host's lead.

Sources: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) crop statistics; Ministry of Finance trade statistics; Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); prefectural and municipal official information. Checked 5 November 2026.