For university and high school international exchange programs, activities that let participants connect beyond language barriers are always in demand. That is exactly what makes on-site matcha tea ceremony experiences such a popular choice.
Here, we share how we recently hosted an on-site matcha experience for a group of 20 students as part of an international youth exchange program.
Why Matcha Experiences Work Well for International Exchange Events
A matcha experience lets participants connect with Japanese culture through all five senses, even without a shared language.
Watching the demonstration, smelling the matcha, and whisking a bowl with their own hands creates a shared moment that naturally sparks conversation between participants.
It also makes for great photos and videos, giving groups a memorable record of their exchange program.
On-Site Service for Groups of Up to 20
GreenTeaTokyo’s matcha experience is designed to accommodate up to 20 participants at the same time.
For this international exchange camp, all 20 students whisked their own matcha together in a single session at the same venue.
Since the group needed to keep the overall program on schedule, we arranged the experience to be completed in one round rather than splitting participants into groups.
A Venue-Flexible, On-Site Style
Our instructor travels by train with all equipment packed into a single suitcase, so no parking arrangements are needed.
All a venue needs is access to a power outlet. Setup takes about 30 minutes, making it possible to host the experience at youth centers, training facilities, and similar venues.
How the Experience Flows
1. Instructor introduction and demonstration
2. Each participant whisks their own bowl of matcha
3. Matcha is enjoyed together with traditional Japanese sweets
The experience follows Urasenke-style etiquette, presented in a relaxed, approachable way for first-time participants.
In Summary
For international exchange camps and student training programs, an on-site matcha experience that can accommodate 20 participants in a single session offers a meaningful cultural exchange activity even within a tight schedule.
We can tailor the format to your venue size and schedule, so please feel free to reach out.
