Private Tea Ceremony — Takayama & Beyond

Hida
Takayama

Experience · Tea & Culture

PrivateTeaCeremonyinTakayama

Be welcomed into the private home of a tea master,
where tea reveals the spiritual heart of Japan.

¥17,000Per Adult

1.5 hrsDuration

1–5Guests

The Experience

More than a tea ceremony

Tea is often described as a ceremony. But for those who practice it, tea is a way of seeing the world.

Your experience begins at a quiet local shrine before you're welcomed into the private home of tea master Shogo. Here, every flower, scroll, tea bowl, and sweet is chosen specifically for this day, this season, and these guests.

Rather than watching a performance, you'll experience Japanese hospitality as it has been shared for centuries—through silence, conversation, beauty, and a single bowl of tea.

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What You'll Experience

Begin with Purification at Shrine

Meet your guide beneath Hie Shrine, where you'll discover how Shinto and Zen quietly shaped Japanese culture. Before entering the tea room, you'll take part in the traditional act of purification—a gentle way to leave the outside world behind and prepare for the gathering ahead.

Enter a Private Tea House

Walk a few minutes to Shogo's home, a house designed around tea itself. From its humble entrance to the intimate tea room, every detail encourages stillness and presence. Normally reserved for fellow tea practitioners, this private space is rarely opened to visitors. Here, you'll experience a formal tea gathering prepared exclusively for you.

Prepare Tea Yourself

After the gathering, move into another room where Shogo introduces the fundamentals of making matcha. Learn how to hold the utensils, whisk tea, and appreciate the quiet attention behind every movement, so you can bring a small piece of Japanese tea culture home with you.

Place&People

The Place

A tea room hidden within everyday Takayama

Tucked away at the foot of Hie Shrine is a home unlike any other. Built around the philosophy of tea, every space—from the modest entrance to the small tatami tea room—has been carefully designed to create a sense of calm and presence.

Unlike public tea houses, this is a living home, normally welcoming only local tea practitioners. For a brief moment, you'll become one of its guests.

The People

A lifetime devoted to the Way of Tea

Shogo has dedicated his life to preserving and sharing the traditions of Japanese tea. His family's tea lineage reaches back through generations to the traditions established by Japan's early tea masters.

Today, he continues this heritage by hosting gatherings throughout Japan and abroad. For Shogo, no two gatherings are ever the same—each guest, each season, and each moment deserves its own unique expression.

One Time, One Meeting

一期一会

ichigo ichie

No tea gathering can ever be repeated. Before you arrive, Shogo carefully considers the season, the weather, and the people he is about to welcome.

The hanging scroll, flowers, tea bowl, sweets, and even the atmosphere of the room are chosen only for this occasion.

That is why tea practitioners speak of ichigo ichie—the understanding that this meeting will never happen again in exactly the same way.

Photogallery

Tap any photo to view it full-size.

Why
Tea?

Tea is where Japanese spirituality becomes visible.

Long before it became known as a ceremony, tea was a quiet practice shaped by Zen Buddhism, Shinto traditions, and centuries of Japanese craftsmanship. It teaches that beauty exists in simplicity, that every season deserves to be noticed, and that every encounter is unique.

What's Included

Included

✓ Private tea gathering with tea master Shogo

✓ English-speaking cultural guide

✓ Visit to Hie Shrine

✓ Matcha and seasonal Japanese sweets

✓ Hands-on matcha making session

✓ Stories about Japanese tea, spirituality, and hospitality

✓ Exclusive access to a private tea room

Not Included

✕ Hotel pickup

✕ Transportation to the meeting point

Available Options

Tap to add — included in your inquiry and total.

Historic Walking Tour & Tea Shopping

¥25,000 / Group

Extend your experience with a 1.5-hour guided walk through Takayama's historic streets. Visit carefully selected tea shops where locals buy their tea and utensils, and receive personal advice on choosing matcha, teaware, and gifts to continue your tea journey at home.

Price Per Adult

¥17,000

Under 3 · Free

Dates (single day or a range)

Session

Guests

Guests (age 3+)

Under 3

Comments (allergies, requests…)

Estimated Total

¥34,000

This sends an inquiry — not a confirmed booking.
We'll be in touch within 24 hours.

FAQs

Absolutely. Children are warmly welcome.

Yes. For safety, we ask that infants attend with at least two adults, as both hands are occupied while drinking tea.

Out of respect for the tea room and its traditions, we kindly ask guests to wear white socks whenever possible. If you don't have white socks, light-coloured socks are perfectly acceptable. To help care for the tea utensils, we also ask that rings be removed before entering the tea room. Comfortable clothing that allows you to sit on the tatami floor is recommended.

Not at all. Your guide will explain the etiquette, and Shogo will teach you how to prepare matcha yourself.

Yes. Our optional walking tour visits local tea specialists where you can purchase tea and traditional utensils with expert guidance.

No — it sends us an inquiry. Every gathering is private and arranged individually, so we confirm availability, discuss any adjustments, and finalise everything together. We reply within 24 hours. Payment is arranged directly with us after confirmation.

Cancellations 14+ days before receive a full refund. 7–13 days receive 50%. Within 7 days, refunds are not available — but we're happy to move your booking to another date at no charge where availability allows. We strongly recommend travel insurance.