Tea Ceremony: A Journey of Japanese Tea and Cuisine. The cover features a person measuring tea leaves with their right hand over a wooden tray, with traditional Japanese tea utensils and a teapot on the table.

Have you ever tasted something with such reverence and delicacy that it brought tears to your eyes or sent chills through your body? At Inochi, our selection of teas are a full body experience. Offering not only the taste, aroma, and feeling of fine tea but also the depths of energetics of the land in which it was cultivated; potentially even providing visual and somatic explorations. Sit with Jonathan Old-Rowe in our private tea room to experience a Japanese tea ceremony celebrating the excellence and depth that Japanese tea and cuisine have to offer.

While each ceremony is unique, they all include Gyokuro. Gyokuro, meaning ‘Jade Dew` holds a prominent place in Japanese tea culture due to its exceptional quality, meticulous production process, and association with refinement and luxury. Its cultural significance is rooted in its role as a symbol of hospitality, status, and a deep connection to tradition. It is a representation of excellence likened to a fine whiskey. It is poured in times of celebration or to make a favorable impression. It is our honor to serve you the world’s finest tea as we celebrate all life has to offer, together.

Reserve your ceremony

Hagakure Japanese kanji tea ceremony

Hagakure

The Hagakure Ceremony is a 1.5 hour immersive experience which consists of an exploration of Ceremonial Matcha, Sencha, and Gyokuro served alongside house made seasonal mochi and a rice flight.

The Hagakure is a compilation of Yamamoto Tsunetomo`s oral teachings, recorded by Tsuramoto Tashiro from 1709 to 1716. It is a classical practical and spiritual guide for the Samurai. the literal translation of Hagakure means "In the shadow of leaves".

Like the teachings of the Hagakure, this ceremony invites reflection on the ephemeral nature of life, the art of stillness, and the quiet wisdom found in the shadows.

Japanese kanji Shiyonin tea ceremony
Japanese kanji

Shiyonin

The Shiyonin ceremony is a 2 hour tasting journey. You will get to try two varieties of Matcha, Sencha, and Gyokuro. for a thoughtful exploration of flavor and origin. This gives you the opportunity to compare and notice the difference of each varietal. Your tea will be accompanied by house-made seasonal mochi, a rice flight, and artisanal wagashi.

Shiyonin translates to person dedicated to the art of service. This highlights the art of humility, devotion and presence that is infused in this ceremony.

In this two hour ceremony Jonathan will be serving you and taking you through an unforgettable tea experience.

Japanese kanji Akemi tea ceremony

Akemi

The Akemi ceremony is 2.5 hours and brings to the table the finest selection Inochi has to offer.

You will experience two Gyokuro variations in addition to your choice of either two Matchas or two Senchas. Along with your tea arrangement, you will be served sake and omakase pairings that amplify the notes of each tea creating a beautiful symphony of flavor weaving Akemi throughout every detail of the ceremony.

Akemi translates to beautiful dawn or bright beauty and is often associated with attraction and light. With this ceremony you will be experiencing the most attractive offerings of Inochi.

Silent Ceremony

This is the perfect option if you need space for private conversations or private client meetings. You and your guests will be the only people in the tea room, our tea expert Jonathan will enter only as permitted by you, to be of service and will be seen but not heard.

To book a silent ceremony, select the type of ceremony above and select the “silent ceremony” option when making your reservation