soryutea

Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a Tea Culture Seminar for a group from Montana State University — 16 students and 3 faculty members eager to explore Japanese tea culture and its traditional customs. The seminar opened with a presentation on the history of matcha and the broader arc of Japanese tea culture: how tea journeyed from a medicinal drink to a profound cultural practice that continues to shape Japanese society today. From there, participants moved into a tea tasting, sampling...

I am thrilled to announce that the 2026 season for our Seasonal Wagashi Making and Japanese Tea Ceremony has officially launched! It was a true pleasure to welcome my very first guests for this session: three wonderful travelers from Chicago who joined me via Activity Japan . The Ritual of Purification We began our journey at the tsukubai (stone water basin) located near the entrance of the tea room. I explained that using the tsukubai is an act of misogi —a ritual purification of the...

Last June, two guests from India visited my tea room for the very first time. At that time, we shared a quiet moment together over a bowl of matcha, learning about the traditions and spirit of the Japanese tea ceremony. This March, I had the great pleasure of welcoming him back—this time accompanied by three of his friends. For me, this visit was a very meaningful milestone. It was the first time that a guest from overseas returned to my tea room. When I began offering tea experiences here in...