FAQ

Q. What actually happens during the session?

A. Everyone whisks their own bowl of matcha from scratch — it’s hands-on from start to finish. The instructor walks through the basics of tea ceremony, explains the cultural background, and guides participants one by one. Each person drinks the matcha they made, along with a Japanese sweet.

Q. Do participants need any prior experience?

A. None at all. Most of our participants have never done tea ceremony before. No knowledge of Japanese etiquette is required — the instructor explains everything.

Q. Do participants need to speak Japanese?

A. No. With the English instruction add-on (+¥13,000), the entire session is conducted in English. We’ve run many sessions for fully international groups.

Q. How long does a session take?

A. Around 1 hour including setup and cleanup. The actual experience is typically 45–60 minutes, depending on group size. Shorter sessions can be arranged — let us know your schedule.

Q. Is kneeling required?

A. No. Everyone sits in chairs at a table. No flexibility or physical preparation needed.

Q. What’s the minimum and maximum group size?

A. From 1 person up to 20 simultaneously. For larger groups, we add instructors or split into multiple rounds.

Q. Can children participate?

A. Yes, there’s no age restriction. Children and adults can enjoy the experience together.

Q. Can the session be conducted entirely in English?

A. Yes. Add the English-speaking staff option (+¥13,000) and the entire session runs in English — including the cultural explanations. This is available for both mixed groups and fully international teams.

Q. Can you add calligraphy or origami to the session?

A. Yes. Both can be combined with matcha for a fuller cultural program, or booked as stand-alone sessions. Calligraphy: participants write a kanji character or phrase of their choice on decorative paper. Origami: guided paper folding for all skill levels.

Q. How long does a matcha + calligraphy or origami combo take?

A. Around 2 hours. Duration varies with group size and content.

Q. Can this be fitted into a meeting or training day schedule?

A. Yes. We arrive 30 minutes before the session and are fully set up within that time. The experience itself can run from 30 minutes, making it easy to slot into a break between sessions or use as a closing activity.

Q. Do the optional iron kettle or floor mat make a big difference?

A. They add atmosphere but aren’t required. The standard setup works well in any meeting room or event space. Add the kettle (¥11,000) or mat (¥5,500 + shipping) if you want a more traditional aesthetic.

Q. Can we book this on a recurring monthly basis?

A. Yes. We accommodate regular sessions and are happy to discuss volume arrangements for ongoing partnerships.

Q. How does pricing work?

A. There’s a base service fee (¥38,000~, tax included) that covers the instructor’s dispatch and travel, plus a per-person experience fee (¥3,800~, tax included) that covers matcha, Japanese sweets, and all equipment. See the pricing page for full details and examples.

Q. What’s included in the price?

A. Instructor, matcha, Japanese sweets, all tea equipment, and guided instruction. Nothing else needed from your side beyond tables and chairs.

Q. Can you issue a formal invoice for corporate expense processing?

A. Yes. We issue formal quotations, invoices, and receipts in English or Japanese. Invoice payment is accepted for corporate clients. We are registered as a qualified invoice issuer in Japan (No. T2013301051519).

Q. Can you provide a quote before we commit?

A. Yes. Share your rough headcount and date and we’ll send an estimate — no commitment needed at that stage.

Q. What payment methods are accepted?

A. Bank transfer, credit card, and invoice payment (for corporate clients).

Q. How do I make a booking?

A. Via our contact form or by email. We’ll follow up with a quote and confirm the details.

Q. How much notice do you need?

A. We recommend at least 10 days in advance. Bookings within a week are possible but incur a rush fee — get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.

Q. Can I change the booking after confirming?

A. Yes, changes are accepted up to 10 days before the event. Please email us with your original booking details and the new preferred date.

Q. What are the cancellation terms?

A. Cancellation fees apply as follows:

• 7+ days before: Free
• 6–3 days before: 20%
• 2 days–day before: 50%
• Same day: 100%

Q. What happens after I send an inquiry?

A. We’ll reply with a quote. Once you confirm and payment is complete, the booking is set. We’ll be in touch ahead of the event to align on logistics.

Q. Where do you cover?

A. Primarily the Tokyo 23 wards. An additional travel fee (¥6,600~) applies for areas outside the 23 wards within the Kanto region.

Q. Do you need a special room or Japanese-style space?

A. No tatami or Japanese-style room required. A standard conference room, hotel event space, or office area works perfectly.

Q. What does the venue need to provide?

A. Just tables and chairs. We bring all equipment, matcha, and Japanese sweets.

Q. Do you need parking or a loading bay?

A. No. Our instructor travels by train with all equipment in a single carry-on suitcase. No vehicle access needed — we come in through the front entrance like any other visitor.

Q. How long does setup take?

A. We arrive 30 minutes before the session starts and are fully ready within that time. Minimal disruption to your venue or schedule.

Q. Can you run a session on a cruise or river boat (yakatabune)?

A. Yes. Our compact setup works well for venues with limited boarding windows or restricted access. Get in touch with your requirements and we’ll confirm.

Q. Are stairs-only venues possible?

A. We need elevator access or a route suitable for a wheeled suitcase. If you’re not sure about your venue, just ask us.

Q. What is the equipment rental service?

A. We rent out tea ceremony utensils (bowls, whisks, etc.) without an instructor — for hotels, events, or self-run sessions. Matcha and sweets are not included and must be sourced separately.

Q. What’s the minimum rental quantity?

A. From 1 set. Tea bowl and whisk sets are available for up to 20 people.

Q. Does an instructor come with the rental?

A. No. This is equipment only. For an instructor-led experience, see our on-site tea ceremony service.

Q. When do items need to be returned?

A. Items must be handed to a courier by midnight on the 3rd day after the last day of use.

Q. Is long-term rental possible?

A. Yes. Rentals of 1 week or longer are available. Terms are flexible — get in touch to discuss your needs.