Mini 30-Minute Matcha Experience at Temple in Miyajima

If you are busy visiting the sites of Miyajima Island off the coast of Hiroshima, then this Mini 30-Minute Matcha Experience in Miyajima is the perfect choice to add a quick cultural activity into your itinerary. In Japan, the “Way of Tea” or the Japanese tea ceremony is an immersive cultural experience associated with traditional refinement and Zen Buddhism. The ceremony of preparing the tea and enjoying it is considered an artform, especially when it is held in an authentic manner with an atmospheric setting. Located in a 300-year-old renovated Buddhist temple known as Tokujuji, this experience is held just a 5-minute walk from Miyajima’s ferry port in a traditional Japanese tea room. You can choose from 2 different lesson styles. Either experience matcha making for yourself during a hands-on experience, or simply sit back and relax as a friendly instructor makes it for you. The first option is known as “Bon Temae,” which is a casual way of serving tea. Compared to a full tea ceremony experience, this is a more informal way to enjoy Japanese tea. Your friendly English-speaking instructor will teach you about matcha and guide you through the uses of traditional tea ceremony utensils. The other option you can choose is “Otemae.” This is where you can enjoy having tea prepared for you by a tea master. Simply sit back and enjoy the meditative performance as your instructor carefully prepares tea for you in this beautiful setting. You will not make your own tea if you choose this option, but your friendly instructors can take photos throughout your lesson to send to you by answering questionnairs at the end of the tea experience!