4 Types of Japanese Tea and Matcha Tea Ceremony in Tokyo

Tea lovers will enjoy this mindful tea-tasting experience with sweets in front of the University of Tokyo in the city's verdant Bunkyo area. Sip on four unique Japanese tea varieties, wakocha, gyokuro, matcha and genmaicha, paired with sweets. Guided by a tea master, you'll discover the rich traditions, culture, and diverse varieties of Japanese tea and even learn to whisk matcha the traditional way! Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with the tantalizing scent of freshly made tea. You'll start with a refreshing cup of wakocha, a Japanese black tea with fruity and floral notes sourced from Shizuoka, served with a slice of tea cake. You'll then watch as a tea master brews gyokuro, one of Japan's highest-quality green teas. Gyokuro tea leaves are a dark shade of green and have a deeper flavor because they are partly shaded from the sun before cultivation. As Japanese tradition dictates, you'll enjoy this cup with a wagashi confectionery that provides a delicate sweetness and smooth mouthfeel when enjoyed with green tea. Next, the master will show you how to make tea using traditional tools. With a bamboo whisk, you'll make matcha and learn more about the culture, types, and traditions of Japan's most famous green tea. Your fourth and last cup of tea will be genmaicha, a brew of green tea leaves with puffed and roasted brown rice from Niigata, one of Japan's leading rice-producing areas. The tea master will then award you with a certificate of completion. You'll end the experience equipped with a wealth of newfound tea knowledge that you can use to search for your favorite Japanese tea to bring back home.