Reflections on 2025: Sharing the Way of Tea with the World

As I sit in the quiet of my tea room, reflecting on the past year, my heart is full of gratitude. 2025 was a year of profound connections and quiet growth. The Way of Tea (Chado) is about more than just a bowl of matcha; it is about the unique, once-in-a-lifetime encounter between host and guest (Ichigo Ichie).

Looking back at the highlights of 2025, I am reminded of why I started this journey.

2025 Highlights: A Year of Connection

• A Global Tea Table: I had the honor of welcoming five guests for our Authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony - Private Chaji Experience. These guests traveled from the USA, the Czech Republic, and right here in Japan. Sharing a full Chaji—including the meal, the thick tea, and the thin tea—with people from such diverse backgrounds reminded me that hospitality transcends all borders.

• A New Student: Beyond the one-time experiences, I am thrilled to share that one of my guests was so moved by the ceremony that they have started regular tea lessons with me.

• Our Digital Tea Room: My YouTube community is growing! We started the year with 5 subscribers and reached 35. Thank you for watching and learning along with me.

Looking Ahead: My 2026 Resolutions

As we enter 2026, I am eager to deepen my practice and expand the ways I can share Japanese culture with you.

1. Welcoming the World: I hope to host even more guests for the Private Chaji Experience from even more countries, continuing to foster international friendship through the bowl of tea.

2. Seasonal Sweetness: I am launching a brand-new program: "Making Seasonal Wagashi and Tea: An Intimate Omotesenke Experience." We will hand-craft traditional seasonal sweets (wagashi) before enjoying a formal bowl of tea together.

3. The Road to 50 Subscribers: On YouTube, I have set a special goal. Once we reach 50 subscribers, I will host my very first YouTube Live! This will be a chance for us to interact in real-time, ask questions about Omotesenke, and share a virtual tea moment.

Thank you to everyone who stepped into my tea room in 2025. I look forward to sharing a bowl of tea with you in 2026!