Tea Ceremony & Japanese Garden

OVERVIEW

Learn some of the rituals involved in an authentic tea ceremony while being served a green tea and behold the natural wonders in a garden that captures the essence of classical Japanese beauty. The tea ceremony is a time-honored cultural tradition that embodies grace, mindfulness and hospitality. A tea master will conduct the ritual in a traditional tearoom with tatami flooring, a serene setting that is as iconic as the Way of the Tea, the way the matcha – a finely ground green tea – is prepared and presented. The landscape within the Ohori Park Japanese Garden is equally tranquil as it features rolling hills, a central lake and thick clusters of trees. While enjoying a meandering walk through this urban oasis, you may encounter a Zen garden, a rock garden and native vegetation such as Japanese black pine and Satuski azalea. Another highlight is a teahouse modeled after a tea ceremony pavilion.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience a Japanese tea ceremony, a ritual with deep cultural connections.
• Watch as a tea master prepares and presents the matcha tea by following certain etiquette.
• Walk at your leisure through a meticulously manicured Japanese garden.
• Enjoy the serenity of the garden setting, especially around the central pond.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.