OUR EXPERIENCES · ROMANZA, KYOTO
Find your way into Senchadō
From watching a temae to handling utensils yourself or tasting different teas, there are many ways to encounter Senchadō at Romanza.
From watching a temae to handling utensils yourself or tasting different teas, there are many ways to encounter Senchadō at Romanza.
The Senchadō experiences held at Romanza are a way to encounter Japanese culture, based on the philosophy of the Ōbaku Baisa-ryū school of Senchadō.
When you hear the word “Senchadō,” you may imagine something formal, with strict rules and etiquette. But there is nothing stiff or rigid about what we offer at Romanza.
As we have studied the Zen tradition of the Ōbaku school and the spirit of Baisaō, we have developed our own approach to Senchadō today — one that is not bound by formality or convention.
Through our tea gatherings, we hope to share this spirit of freedom with people from around the world.
If we had to describe what we offer at Romanza in just one phrase, we would call it “quiet entertainment”.
When we hear the word “entertainment,” we might think of things that excite and energize us, such as theme parks or games. The time spent at Romanza, however, is almost the opposite: it is a time to gradually quiet the mind and settle into a sense of calm.
When visiting Kyoto, it is natural to want to see as many famous places as possible within the limited time available. In the middle of such a journey, it can be worth pausing for a while and give yourself some time to slow down and find a moment of calm.
At Romanza, we value these quiet moments: watching tea leaves and hot water come together through the temae to become a cup of tea, while taking the time to appreciate its aroma, taste, and sounds — and simply to enjoy the passage of time in the space around you.
There are many ways to approach Senchadō. At Romanza, each experience focuses on a different aspect of the tradition. Whether you would like to simply observe a temae, prepare tea yourself, or explore the diversity of Japanese tea, you can choose the experience that feels right for you.
※ For groups of more than 5, please contact us in advance to discuss availability.
All experiences are available in English, Japanese, German, and Italian.
Your host welcomes you with a small kōsen — a simple drink served before the ceremony — and gives a brief introduction to Senchadō, its history, utensils, and different types of tea. This first part takes about twenty minutes, giving you time to settle in before the ceremony itself.
Your host then performs a complete Senchadō ceremony, with precise and unhurried movements that bring tea leaves and hot water together to create the tea. The atmosphere is quiet and contemplative, allowing you to focus on the movements, sounds, and space around you.
Once the tea — gyokuro — is ready, you are invited to savour it together with a sweet and learn the traditional kissa method of tasting it.
The ceremony then continues with its final steps, including cleaning the teapot and formally bringing the temae to a close. The session ends with time for any questions you may have.
This experience begins with a short introduction to Senchadō, followed by a complete ceremony performed by your host. Once the gyokuro is ready, you taste it as a guest before the ceremony comes to a close. After a short time for questions, you receive a tray with the main utensils used in the tea ceremony.
For the workshop, you are introduced to the tools and shown how to hold and move them, as well as the basic posture. You first practise the movements without tea, so you can become familiar with the flow of the preparation. Then comes the real preparation: under your host’s guidance, you prepare your own tea using a simplified form of the same temae you have just observed.
Finally, you can savour the tea you have prepared yourself, together with a sweet, and experience Senchadō from the perspective of the person preparing and serving the tea.
In this session, you will savour and compare three different Japanese teas while learning about their origins, production methods, and individual character. Your host guides you through each tea, explaining the differences in colour, aroma, flavour, and texture as you taste them side by side.
As you move from one tea to the next, you will discover how many different expressions can emerge from the same tea plant, and how the way the leaves are grown and processed influences what ends up in your cup.
The tasting is relaxed and conversational, with plenty of time to ask questions and consider which teas appeal to you most.
This experience begins with a short introduction to Senchadō, followed by a complete ceremony performed by your host. Once the tea — gyokuro — is ready, you enjoy it before the ceremony continues with its final steps and comes to a close.
After a short time for questions, the experience moves to a guided tasting of two different Japanese teas. You will savour and compare each tea while learning about its origin, production method, and individual character, discovering how different expressions can emerge from the same tea plant.
The tasting is relaxed and conversational, open to questions and discussion.
Every session at Romanza is hosted by a practitioner of the Ōbaku Baisa-ryū who holds the rank of shihan or jun-shihan. Their knowledge and experience offer an opportunity to encounter Senchadō through the practice itself.
Irene guides guests through Senchadō in a relaxed and approachable way. She enjoys explaining the culture, history, and details behind the tea ceremony in a way that is clear and engaging, rather than formal or academic. Her goal is to help each guest feel at ease while discovering the depth and richness of a tradition that may seem simple at first glance.
A licensed shihan of the Ōbaku Baisa-ryū and certified Japanese Tea Advisor, Ute brings extensive knowledge and experience to every session at Romanza. She is equally at home with the cultural background and the finer details of Senchadō, and enjoys sharing her knowledge with both Japanese and international guests. She also leads Senchadō events and has appeared in Japanese television programmes dedicated to the tradition.
Among the teas enjoyed in Senchadō, Gyokuro holds a special place. It is one of Japan’s most refined green teas, known for its rich umami and distinctive depth of flavour.
Its character comes in part from a particular production method: the tea plants are shaded for several weeks before harvest, which changes the character of the leaves and enhances their natural umami. The resulting tea is concentrated and full-bodied, and is traditionally prepared with a relatively low brewing temperature and served in small quantities.
For these reasons, Gyokuro is quite different from the teas we might drink casually in everyday life. Rather than simply drinking a large cup, it invites you to slow down and pay attention to a small amount of tea — its bright colour, rich aroma, deep flavour, and lingering taste.
Our tea experiences are available by reservation.
Check availability and choose the experience, date, and time that suit you.
Available in English · 日本語 · Deutsch · Italiano
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