Mindful MITATE Tea Ceremony

Experience Japanese tea culture through the art of mitate—discovering personal meaning and beauty in the objects before you.

Led by ceramic artist and tea master Shota Yamada, this intimate experience unfolds in two exceptional cultural settings within Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s garden: Zangetsu, a registered tangible cultural property, and an exclusive lawn directly before the historic three-story pagoda, also a registered tangible cultural property.

Normally inaccessible to guests, this private garden setting offers a rare opportunity to enjoy tea surrounded by history, seasonal beauty, and quiet contemplation. English-language support is available.

The Experience

Allow approximately 60 to 90 minutes for this intimate journey through tea, ceramics, and the garden.

From selecting a tea bowl at the traditional Zangetsu teahouse to preparing and savoring your own bowl of tea before the historic three-story pagoda, each moment is designed to invite a slower, more mindful way of seeing.

  •  01 | Choose the Tea Bowl That Speaks to You

    Your journey begins at Zangetsu, a traditional teahouse and registered tangible cultural property nestled within the garden.

    Choose a tea bowl from a curated selection, guided not by rules or expertise, but by instinct. Notice its form, color, texture, weight, and the landscape suggested by its glaze. Under the guidance of Shota Yamada, take time to look closely and share the impressions that arise.

    No prior knowledge of tea ceremony is required—only curiosity and an openness to see.

  • 02 | Explore the Art of MITATE

    Mitate is a distinctive Japanese aesthetic practice: seeing an object not only for what it is, but for what it evokes within you.

    One bowl may recall a mountain landscape; another, the surface of water or a memory from a distant journey. As each guest shares their perspective, a single tea bowl reveals many possible stories.

    Through this relaxed exchange, discover how Japanese tea culture embraces individual sensibility, imagination, and the beauty of looking deeply.

  • 03 | Step Into a Exclusive Garden Setting

    From Zangetsu, continue to an exclusive lawn directly before the garden’s historic three-story pagoda, a registered tangible cultural property.

    Normally inaccessible to guests, this special setting opens exclusively for the Mindful MITATE Tea Ceremony. With the pagoda before you and the garden around you, experience a rare moment of stillness in the heart of Tokyo.

    Depending on the season, weather, and timing, the scene may be enhanced by Tokyo Sea of Clouds — YAKUMO —, the hotel’s immersive mist installation.

  • 04 | Prepare and Savor Your Own Bowl of Tea

    Watch Shota Yamada prepare tea, then take your own turn at whisking a bowl.

    Feel the rhythm of each gesture—the movement of the tea whisk, the warmth of the bowl in your hands, and the quiet concentration of the moment. As you prepare and savor your tea, the impressions gathered throughout the experience—the bowl you selected, the garden’s atmosphere, and the pagoda’s presence—come together in a single, memorable cup.

Booking Information

Reservations will be open in mid-September.

Availability

●This experience is exclusively available to guests staying at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. Please secure your hotel reservation before applying for the experience.

●Available on weekdays only, excluding Japanese public holidays.

●Available from October to December 2026 and March to June 2027.

●Reservations must be requested at least 10 days before your preferred experience date.

Price

1–2 guests　¥150,000, including consumption tax
Each additional guest　¥45,000 per person, including consumption tax
*Up to six participants per group

Payment

Payment must be made in advance by bank transfer.

Following confirmation of your provisional reservation by email, please complete payment within three days.
Your reservation will be confirmed once payment has been received.

Important Notes

●In the event of rain, the experience will be held inside the Zangetsu teahouse.

●As the outdoor setting has no shade, we recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen as appropriate.

●Please be aware that the garden includes stairs and sloping paths. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Cancellation Policy

All deadlines are based on Japan Standard Time.

*If a refund is issued, it will generally be processed in Japanese yen using the original payment method.
Any bank charges, as well as foreign-exchange gains or losses associated with the refund, are the responsibility of the guest.

When We Receive Your Cancellation Notice Cancellation Fee
15 days or more before the experience date No charge
14 to 8 days before the experience date 50% of the total fee
7 days before through the experience date 100% of the total fee