6 Steps for a Successful Japanese Tea Ceremony + Etiquette Tips

Among the traditional Japanese arts, the Japanese tea ceremony is one of the most…

Among the traditional Japanese arts, the Japanese tea ceremony is one of the most famous. The serene, humble image of an elegant host in a kimono preparing bitter green tea with a bamboo whisk the same way it’s been done for centuries is a window to Japan’s rich cultural history. If you have the chance to attend one yourself, we can’t recommend enough that you embrace this passport-worthy moment!

Few—if any—words are exchanged during a traditional Japanese tea ceremony (sadō 茶道 or chanoyu 茶の湯), but we bet that you’ll be eager to talk about your experience afterwards. Before you go, learn Japanese with the Rosetta Stone app to master the basics of Japanese conversation.

What is a Japanese tea ceremony?

At its core, a Japanese tea ceremony is a small gathering where a host prepares green tea the traditional way and serves it to their guests. Thankfully, you won’t need to know how to order food in Japanese for this experience! A tea ceremony is as much of an art form as it is a venue to enjoy matcha the way it was intended. 

In general, a standard chanoyu tea ceremony will include the following elements:

• a traditional Japanese-style room (washitsu, 和室)
• an intimate setting, with only a handful of participants
• rustic decorations and aesthetics, channeling the meaning of wabi-sabi (詫び寂び)
• freshly prepared green tea (maccha, 抹茶), preceded by traditional Japanese sweets

On the far end of fancy, a formal Japanese tea ceremony (chaji, 茶事) can last up to four hours, but it includes the end-all, be-all of fine Japanese dining: kaiseki ryōri (懐石料理). You’ll find this experience in few other places, such as a traditional Japanese inn (ryokan, 旅館).

>> Find out what luxuries await you if you’re now wondering, “What is a ryokan?”

History of the Japanese tea ceremony

The origins of the Japanese tea ceremony date back to when tea was brought to Japan from China in the Heian Period (794-1185 A.D.) by Buddhist monks. For centuries after, tea was primarily used for religious ceremonies and to serve the elite nobility. It was during the Muromachi Period (1336-1573 A.D.) that the tea ceremony you can participate in today began to take shape. 

The Japanese tea master Sen no Rikyū (born in 1522, died in 1591) is credited with being the one to perfect the tea ceremony and transform it into an art. 

Among other details, he laid out three essential elements:

• the four principles of the tea ceremony: harmony (wa, 和), respect (kei, 敬), purity (sei, 清), and tranquility (jaku, 寂)
• the concept of wabi-sabi and how its aesthetics apply to the tea ceremony
• the importance of ichi-go ichi-e, or the notion that a single moment can never be replicated and must be treasured

Sen no Rikyū also established seven rules that govern how a tea ceremony should be held, and they’re called rikyū shichisoku (利休七測, Rikyū’s seven rules).

What are the 6 steps of a proper Japanese tea ceremony?

Depending on the style, season, and other factors, the exact order of and steps involved in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony will be slightly different. But in general, most informal tea ceremonies (chakai, 茶会) follow these steps to varying levels of intricacy. Each step can take several minutes, and they involve actions by both the guests and the tea master. You can expect a full chakai ceremony to last approximately 45 minutes.

1. Enter the room

Guests are shown inside the room by the host and are shown where to sit. Shortly after, when the tea master enters, the host will bow to the guests and they will all bow back (while seated) in respect.

2. Sample traditional Japanese sweets

As the tea master begins preparing the ceremony utensils, guests are given wagashi (和菓子), or traditional Japanese sweets. They can be eaten with the provided skewer or pick, but we advise you to appreciate the culinary artistry before you indulge. Depending on the season, different treats may be served and all will be crafted with care.

3. Clean and purify the utensils

Before they can make the tea, the tea master must purify the utensils that will be used to make the tea. They do this with water and a special cloth called a chakin (茶巾). This part of the tea ceremony happens in front of the guests to show the utensils are clean and to symbolize cleanliness and purity.

4. Make the tea

For a standard tea ceremony, two scoops of powdered green tea are mixed with hot water using a special whisk called a chasen (茶筅). This is one of the iconic sights and sounds of the tea ceremony.

5. Drink the tea

When the tea is ready, the tea master will turn the bowl (chawan, 茶碗) until the front of it is facing you, the guest. Usually, the bowl has some kind of design to show where the front is. As you take the bowl, turn it in your hands so that the front is no longer facing you, and take a sip. In this moment, appreciate the flavor and everything that went into it! 

After your sip, wipe the rim of the bowl where your mouth touched it and pass it to the next guest, who will do the same thing. This process of sipping the tea is repeated for each guest.

If you have the last sip of tea, be sure to slurp it gently! This is a sign of enjoyment and isn’t considered rude.

6. Clean up

Once the chawan makes it way back to the tea master, they’ll proceed to clean the bowl and the utensils used. This clean up step is still a part of the ceremony, so remain quiet, observant, and respectful. If multiple rounds of tea are included (you might sample thick green tea vs. thin green tea), the tea master will return to making the next batch and continue until the ceremony has concluded.

Know before you go: Japanese tea ceremony etiquette

Part of participating in a Japanese tea ceremony is knowing how to act or present yourself while you’re there. Here are seven crucial tips about what to do (and what not to do) at a Japanese tea ceremony.

1. Wear modest clothing

Although a kimono is the traditional outfit, wearing nice, modest clothing in subdued colors is also appropriate for tea ceremonies. Here are some examples of what to wear to a tea ceremony:

• Button-down shirt and blazer
• Slacks
• Business suit
• Dress or skirt below the knee (midi length or longer)
• Blouse
• Office-appropriate clothing

Avoid these types of clothing:

• Loud colors and patterns
• Jeans
• Shorts
• Sleeveless shirts
• Hats
• Accessories (e.g., watches, earrings, bracelets)

2. Wear white socks

You’ll be expected to remove your shoes before entering the room or building where the tea ceremony is being held, leaving you in your socks. White is the preferred color, and they should be clean with no holes or other blemishes. This also means that you need to absolutely avoid wearing shoes without socks at all—being barefoot is a no-no!

3. Don’t use perfume or cologne

Heavy scents can be overpowering in the intimate setting in which tea ceremonies are held. It’s best to avoid wearing perfume or cologne at a tea ceremony. Also be aware of other lingering scents (like cigarette smoke) and do what you can to avoid them.

4. Turn off electronic devices

Just as when you attend a symphony or other nice event, your mobile devices should be either turned off or on silent. Unexpected sounds like a loud ringtone can throw off the entire atmosphere of a tea ceremony, and it’s considered rude.

5. Practice how to sit properly

In a traditional tea ceremony, you won’t be sitting in a chair. Instead, you’ll sit seiza (正座) style. Typically, this means sitting on the floor (or on a cushion) with your legs folded under you. Since you’ll be positioned this way for upwards of 30 minutes, you may want to practice this sitting technique ahead of time to get used to the feeling, as it can be uncomfortable.

If you require accommodations for seating arrangements, contact the establishment or tea master ahead of time to find out what options you have.

6. Avoid small talk and chatter

Even if you attend the tea ceremony with friends, this is not the time to catch up and chat. Instead, take in the meditative atmosphere and absorb the experience: listen to the sounds of the tea being prepared, notice the humble decorations, savor the tea. If you do speak, do so in a soft voice.

7. Be on time

Punctuality is a highly valued trait in Japanese culture, and simply being on time shows respect to the host and other guests. Before the day of the ceremony, look up the location and how to get there, taking note of public transportation schedules and any distance you’ll need to walk (and maybe look into how to tell time in Japanese!).

Chart of Japanese tea ceremony terminology to know

The tea ceremony comes with some of its own unique vocabulary words that are useful to know in addition to more common Japanese food words. While you may not hear some (if any) of these terms used during the quiet ceremony, you may see each of these utensils used before, during, or after the event.

Frequently asked questions about the Japanese tea ceremony

If you’re attending your first Japanese tea ceremony, you’re bound to have questions. Whether it’s how to learn Japanese or how long you can expect to be sitting down for a tea ceremony, other curious people have posed these frequently asked questions. Here are the answers!

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