Experience the Japanese Tea Ceremony
If you’d like to take your next sip of tea in the Japanese tradition, attend one of the tea ceremonies in the Japanese Tea Garden in the Washington Park Arboretum. Tea demonstrations are held every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and are hosted by the Seattle branch of the Urasenke Foundation .
The Wednesday tea presentations are interactive and intimate, with a limit of 10 participants. A bowl of green tea and sweets are provided. This is a participatory event.
The Saturday tea demonstrations were held March through October in the Shoseian teahouse. A demonstration and talk will explain the importance of tea, and the tea ceremony in Japanese culture. Following the demonstration participants will enjoy a bowl of green tea and sweets. There is a limit of 20 participants.
The Sunday tea presentation is an intimate and participatory event, tailored to the individual participants. Tea and sweets are provided, with a limit of 10 participants.
Location: Washington Park Arboretum
Dates & Hours: The Arboretum is open daily. Public tours are offered on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. (April through October). An additional tour is offered Monday at 12:30 p.m., May through August.
Admission: $5 adults, $3 youths, seniors (65+), college students (with ID), and disabled, children five and under are free.
Dates & Hours for Tea Events: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Times vary, so check the schedule here before making plans.
Tickets for tea ceremony: $10 per person, reservations are required. For reservations call Seattle Japanese Garden at (206) 684-4725.
Photo credit: flickr
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POSTED IN: Great Places to Unwind, Great Walks, People - Interesting Local People, Tours - Guided or Self-Guided
Seattle66°
6 opinions for Experience the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Sue J
Jun 20, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Looks beautiful…i love sencha..my fav buy would be http://www.teacuppa.com sencha and genmaicha
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Jun 25, 2007 at 11:24 am
[…] Jo Manzanares presents Experience the Japanese Tea Ceremony posted at The Seattle Traveler. Discover the art of a traditional Japanese ceremony at […]
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Jul 7, 2007 at 11:54 am
[…] U.S. destinations include a Weekend Running Diary (Of Doom) in MA, 7 Days of Disney, Experiencing a Japanese Tea Ceremony in Seattle, Night Wonders about Las Vegas, and Illinois River Memories. […]
Jerry
Aug 6, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I would love to see this. I think the ceremony is just lovely. I have a favorite Japanese sencha from http://www.tealaden.com that I just love because of the sweet flavor. I think most ceremonies use Matcha but it is hard to find.
Mary Jo
Aug 7, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
The ceremony is lovely, steeped (no pun intended) is culture and ritual. It’s about so much more than just the quick beverage on the run that so many of us are used to.
Seattle: A to Z
May 10, 2008 at 3:22 am
[…] Here’s another take on the idea as I provide you with Seattle, A to Z: A - Arboretum for the Japanese Tea Garden & Tea Ceremony […]
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