Over the centuries that Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan, great care went into the design of Buddhist temples to find the perfect balance between structures and the accompanying garden. While seeking this balance, Zen temples also closely follow the austere philosophical teachings of the sect by featuring only a simple tatami mat lined room with a view of the garden to create a central building called a “Hojo”. Away from the hustle and bustle of the temples that are the city’s main tourist attractions, one secluded temple that is usually closed to the public will grant special access just for you to provide a tranquil, refined setting for a private tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is a ritualistic way of serving and drinking powdered green tea, and it developed together with other Zen-related arts such as flower arrangement, ink painting, calligraphy and gardening. Zen temples were the centre of artistic expression throughout much of the middle ages in Japan, and the arts developed in this era became the foundation for much of what is considered traditional Japanese culture today. While quietly enjoying the tea in this exclusive setting, guests will be fully exposed to the essence of Japanese culture and come to a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings that lie at the heart of what it means to be Japanese.

Your experience of taking part in a Japanese tea ceremony will be even more memorable if you had tea with the Kiyomizu-yaki cup, created by the hands of an expert artisan in Kyoto. There is a selection from which you can choose your favorite cup. It would be our pleasure if you enjoyed Japanese tea with the cup when you have returned to your home.