A Relaxed Tea Ceremony Experience with Ohineri Inc.

Yesterday, our custom private tour company had the wonderful opportunity to experience a tea ceremony hosted by Ohineri Inc. We were kindly invited to join this session free of charge, as we are considering incorporating their tea ceremony experience into our future tours for international guests.

What made this experience so special was its relaxed and casual style. While the traditions and etiquette of tea ceremony were carefully respected, it never felt intimidating or overly formal—making it perfect for visitors who want to enjoy Japanese culture in an approachable way.

We first watched the instructor demonstrate the proper steps of the tea ceremony. Every gesture carried a sense of meaning and beauty, and simply observing made us feel calm and attentive. We were then treated to a beautifully crafted seasonal sweet, delicately balanced in flavor, which paired perfectly with the slight bitterness of matcha.

After that, it was our turn to prepare tea ourselves. With the tea whisk in hand, we followed the instructor’s guidance. At first, it was difficult to create the fine foam on top, but after a few tries, the rhythm became more natural, and we finally managed to whisk a bowl of matcha we could be proud of. Drinking the tea we had prepared ourselves was both refreshing and deeply rewarding.

Overall, it was a truly meaningful experience—one that allowed us to appreciate the essence of tea ceremony without feeling pressured by formality. We believe this will be a fantastic activity to offer in our tours, giving international guests the chance to not only taste matcha, but also to feel the spirit of Japanese hospitality.

We are sincerely grateful to Ohineri Inc. for giving us this opportunity. We are excited for the day when our future guests can also enjoy this wonderful tea ceremony as part of their journey in Japan.