Japanese Tea Ceremonies in Tokyo

There’s no better refuge from the Tokyo hustle than the age-old tradition of tea ceremony (or, sado), first coined by Buddhist monks in the C.9th. Drink in Japan’s most sacred practice at one of these tea-riffic cha havens.

Serenity prevails at Meiji marvel Happo-en, a 120-year-old wooden tea house, moved beam by beam from Yokohama. Book the ‘Garden Walk’ for a contemplative stroll through the picture-perfect grounds, complete with waterfall, koi pond, bonsai, and autumnal Japanese maples, before retiring to a cosy tea salon. There are two tasting experiences to choose from: the simple ‘Tencha’ offers matcha sips with seasonal confections, while the pricier ‘Otemae’ schools participants in the important rituals and etiquette, with translator, included, natch.

For a more modern meditation on tea ceremony, steam into Souen, an exquisitely minimalist shop cum tea house. Browse the pretty stacks of glass jars filled with Japan’s finest leaves (gifting alert!), then get your knees under the black wooden counter for a taste bud awakening. Owner and brew-meister Shinya Sakurai will prepare a cup of roasted hōjicha before your eyes, or go for a tasting flight complete with wagashi sweets and a healthy side of veg.

School of ancient Japanese arts, HiSUi TOKYO, offers the full-on history buff experience, channelling an authentic Azuchi-Momoyama vibe with its traditional tatami mat-lined ‘suian’ (tea room). Kimono-enrobed experts walk you through the teachings of Sen no Rikyu, the godfather of the ‘wabi-cha’ style ceremony, with an emphasis on seasonal methods. Experiences are private or group and customisable, so you can combine with other classes.

Like your tea with a saucy chaser? Pinkies poised (and bottoms up) for tea and 'tails at tiny watering hole Mixology Salon, manned by celebrity mixologist Shuzo Nagumo. Tucked away on the thirteenth floor of swish shopathon, Ginza Six, this slinky low-lit bar is ideal for resting that shopper’s shoulder. A tight, cleverly concocted drinks menu includes a gyokuro martini and genmai negroni, but it’s the signature tasting flight that really sounds like our cuppa. Chin chin!

Happo-en / 1-1-1 Shirokanedai / Minato-ku / +81 3 3443 3105 / 10am-10pm Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm Sat-Sun / happo-en.com

HiSUi TOKYO / 5F /  Koizumi Building / 4-3-13 Ginza / Chuo / +81 3 3562 7575 / 11am-8.30pm daily / hisui-tokyo.com 

Mixology Salon / 13/F / Ginza Six / 6-10-1 Ginza / Minato-ku / +81 3 6280 6622 / 11am-11pm daily / facebook.com

Souen / 3-16-28 Nishi-Azabu / Minato-ku / +81 3 5786 0024 / 11am-7pm Tue-Sun / sakurai-tea.jp