Spilling the tea on Cha No Yu (Japanese tea ceremony)

Most travelers heading to Japan want to experience a tea ceremony, known as cha no yu, without really knowing what is involved.  A little background on the tea ceremony can help you decide if it’s for you and your travel companions, especially young ones. 

Japanese tea ceremony has its roots in Zen Buddhism

. Every movement in the tea ceremony is deliberate, every item carefully chosen, from the shape of the tea bowl to the arrangement of decorations in the room’s alcove. 

Central to the tea ceremony is the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, a world view that finds beauty in impermanence, imperfection, and simplicity. A rustic, asymmetrical tea bowl might be cherished more than a flawless porcelain one because it speaks of the handmade, the humble, and the real. This aesthetic reflects a deeper spiritual message: that life itself is fleeting and incomplete, and that peace comes from embracing, rather than resisting, this reality.

In a world driven by speed and efficiency, the Japanese tea ceremony invites us to slow down, breathe, and connect—with ourselves, with others, and with the present moment. On the surface, it may appear to be a lengthy ritual of preparing and serving matcha (powdered green tea), but beneath the ritualistic movements and quiet elegance lies a philosophy that touches every part of life.

Tea ceremony has four guiding principles:

• Wa  – Harmony Harmony with nature, with the guests, with the setting. The tea ceremony fosters a space where everything is in balance.

• Kei  – Respect Respect for people and for the tools used. Even the most modest objects are handled with care, acknowledging their role and history.

• Sei  – Purity The physical act of cleaning the utensils symbolizes the inner cleansing of the heart and mind. It’s a moment of quiet mindfulness.

• Jaku  – Tranquility After harmony, respect, and purity are cultivated, tranquility naturally arises. It is the stillness at the center of the experience.

While traditional tea ceremonies follow precise forms, their essence can be practiced in daily life. Taking time to go through our daily lives with intention, appreciating the beauty of ordinary moments, or simply being present with another person—these are acts of cha no yu in spirit.

In a world of constant noise, the Japanese tea ceremony offers a quiet sanctuary. It reminds us that meaning is not found in grandeur, but in simplicity. That the sacred can be discovered in a single bowl of tea.

Our favorite place to take tea? Suruga, the region that produces the finest Japanese tea.