Sep. 11, 2020 UPDATE
Nakamura Tokichi - Main Shop
- 中村藤吉本店 -Traveler Friendly
It is a good opportunity to participate in a traditional Japanese culture
Information
English
Languages spoken
Casual English
Story & Recommendation
Experience Hiki-cha and a tea ceremony
Hiki-cha (tea powder making) and tea ceremonies can be enjoyed at Nakamura Tokichi Honten, a well-known specialty tea shop. Nakamura Tokichi also runs a café and shop as well. Tea ceremonies are held every day, 4 times a day, in their own tea room, except Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This experience includes grinding tea powder by yourself with stone equipment, a Japanese sweet, and 2 kinds of matcha tasting which is made with the milled matcha powder.
If it is your first time to participate in the tea ceremony, don’t worry about that! The teacher will kindly teach you. You can make a reservation on the day, based on availability. It’s a rare opportunity to learn and experience a tea ceremony even for Japanese people, so it’s a must try if you are interested in tea ceremonies.
1Highlight
The Tea Making Demonstration
The tea making demonstration by the teacher is a highlight of this store. In a very powerful moment, the Matcha is prepared quickly but with the utmost care. The teacher prepares two kinds of Matcha. The first is concentrated and the other is a diluted, weaker one. Both are made with Matcha powder that you milled yourself.
2Highlight
Tea Room
‘Zuishoan’ is a small Genroku-era (1688-1704) tea room, a style which little remains of today. It was originally built in Mimurodo (an area in Uji city) 300 years ago and moved to current place 150 years ago. A little gap between the wall and the door means the tea ceremony preparation is done.
3Good Experiences
Hiki-cha (making tea powder)
Please use your right hand to turn the handle left while holding the grinder with your left hand. It may be heavier than you expected. The best speed is one spin a second. A green powder will come out of a gap in the grinder after a while; you smell the great smell of fresh Matcha.
4Good Experiences
Tea Ceremony
At first, please take the cup in your left hand and place your right hand on the side of a cup. Next, turn the cup clockwise toward yourself twice. Then try the Matcha. After drinking it, wipe the cup and turn in the opposite direction to before. Although it looks easy, you may actually find it more difficult than you thought.
- Manner & Tips -
The teacher will show an example in advance, so you can just imitate. Please relax and enjoy the tea ceremony!
