How to bring the spirit of the Japanese tea ceremony into your everyday life. A practical, beginner-friendly guide to Japanese tea culture, seasonal awareness, and slow living.
When I first moved to Japan, I didn’t like green tea. Blasphemous, I know. The first prefecture I lived in was Shizuoka, which I quickly learned was very proud of its green tea. Everyone I met, every student I taught, had a favorite green tea that they were excited to tell me about. Before I knew it, I also had a favorite green tea and learned more than I ever planned to learn about it.
Whether you love or hate green tea, you can still learn about sadou (茶道; tea ceremony) which can be directly translated as “the way of tea”. Visiting a tea house and attending a ceremony can also require planning, which, as a busy mom, is often impossible. Moreover, formal study can take years of dedication.
Japan’s love of tea has brought about informal tea ceremonies known as chakai (茶会; tea gatherings) and senchado (煎茶道; the way of sencha). Informal ceremonies like these can take the pressure off and make the experience a more relaxing one.
Better yet, if you find yourself too busy to leave the house, why not bring the tea ceremony’s concepts into your home? Give yourself the love you deserve, a quiet moment to reset, all while partaking in a well-loved tradition.
The Art Behind the Ceremony
When tea was first introduced to Japan in the 8th century, only priests and the upper class had access to it. It wasn’t until years later, in the 1300s, that it was more readily available to everyone else. Over time and after many luxurious tea parties, Sen no Rikyu founded the concepts behind the tea ceremony.
The four main pillars are:
- Wa (harmony)
- Kei (respect)
- Sei (purity)
- Jaku (tranquility)
Besides the four core concepts, the Japanese tea ceremony carries with it layers of tradition and beliefs. From wabi-sabi (侘び寂び; acceptance of imperfection) to ichigo-ichie (一期一会; once in a lifetime), the tea ceremony offers us moments to not only appreciate the normal everyday but can inspire us to be more open-minded.
Your At-Home Tea Ritual
Adding Harmony to the Space
Create a small space in your home for your tea ritual. If you’re already living here in Japan I can assume there’s little space in your home to dedicate an entire room to your tea ceremony. Instead, clear away all the clutter and mess from a table or counter.
Put your phone away so as not to distract yourself from any notifications that might pop up. The hardest challenge if you have children, ensure they’re asleep for the night so as not to interrupt you. This is all about making a special time to find a slight moment of harmony.
Showing Respect to Yourself and the Tea
This is your chance to make the space beautiful, to add meaning to the ceremony. Lay down a beautiful placemat or cloth. You can choose one that reflects the season, such as cherry blossoms for spring. Buy a flower from the closest shop or buy fake ones from Daiso.
If possible, buy seasonal Japanese sweets or something delicious to enjoy with your tea. The sweetness can help balance the bitterness of the tea, but also give your personal ceremony the respect it deserves.
“In a country where working overtime is the norm, choosing to slow down and give yourself some love can be an act of rebellion.”
Choose your favorite teacup or mug. Even better, don’t be afraid to buy a chawan (茶碗; tea bowl) to make the moment more meaningful. If you’re making matcha, buy a chasen (茶筅; bamboo whisk) to mix the powder slowly into the water.
Slow down and allow yourself to enjoy the moment. Take in the sounds of the leaves and water mixing. Watch the steam rise out of the cup and the color of the water slowly shift hues. In a country where working overtime is the norm, choosing to slow down and give yourself some love can be an act of rebellion.
Bringing Purity to Heart and Mind
This one is straightforward but meaningful. Wash your hands. Clean all the utensils before the ceremony, even if they’re already clean. The act of making time, slowing down and giving yourself this moment is what matters the most.
These physical acts of cleanliness are meant to help the mind also reach a moment of clarity. If the space around us is clean and there are no distractions to bring us stress, our inner thoughts can also reach something similar.
On the Way to Tranquility
These small acts of self-love and choosing to be mindful can provide you with a sense of tranquility. Though the concept is far more complex, being in the moment and allowing your mind to focus on the here and now, brings you closer to knowing your true self.
Choosing a Tea You’ll Love
Although matcha is traditional for the sadou tea ceremony, and sencha is used for senchado, I believe the important part is choosing a tea that will bring you personal joy.
Here are a few recommendations and a good season they might pair well with:
| Japanese | English | Season | Flavor |
| Sencha (煎茶) | Green tea | Spring | Grassy, slightly astringent |
| Shincha (新茶) | first-picked green tea | Spring | Fresh, subtle sweetness |
| Kabusecha (かぶせ茶) | Shade-grown green tea | Spring | Shaded for a short time, slightly sweeter |
| Mugicha (麦茶) | Barley Tea | Summer | Nutty, caffeine-free |
| *Sobacha (そば茶) | Buckwheat tea | Summer | Smoky, earthy, caffeine-free |
| Gyokuro (玉露) | Shade-grown green tea | Summer | Shaded for longer to add a deeper flavor |
| Wakocha (和紅茶) | Japanese black tea | Autumn | Slightly bitter, smooth |
| Hojicha (ほうじ茶) | Roasted green tea | Autumn | Smoky, slightly sweet, low-caffeine |
| Genmaicha (玄米茶) | Roasted rice tea | Autumn | Subtly smoky, savory |
| Kukicha (茎茶) | Green tea stems | Winter | Gentler flavor than other green teas |
| Matcha (抹茶) | Powder green tea | Winter | Grassy, rich, bitter |
| Bancha (番茶) | Last-picked green tea | Winter | Earthy, milder than other green teas |
*Sobacha is made from buckwheat so please be careful about allergies.
Closing Thoughts
You don’t have to perform a perfect ceremony or do every step with absolute perfection. The simple act of committing your time and energy to mindfulness is what matters most. Whether it’s every night after work or every Sunday morning, you owe it to yourself to take a moment to slow down and recharge.
With my crazy, hectic schedule as a mom, I know it can feel impossible to stop and rest every day. I find that in the evenings, after my son sleeps, I can make time for myself. It’s much easier for me on the weekend, too, if my husband can help get our son to bed for me. Whatever time of day is best for you, choose it and stick to it.
For those who can’t seem to get a moment of quiet at home, why not sneak off to a tea house for some alone time? Every bit of effort to make time for mindfulness counts.
What are your tips for making time for yourself? Let me know because I, for one, need every bit of help I can get.
Until next time, stay safe~
a.t.kumagai
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