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Off the Beaten Path: Half-Day Private Tea Ceremony Experience in Soka
Joined 2024
Escape Tokyo and explore Soka, a historic town featured in Oku no Hosomichi. Experience a private tea ceremony with a Japanese tea master and learn the art of origami folding. Take a mini-tour of the paths immortalized in Basho’s poetry, and optionally, try your hand at Japanese rice cracker making. A serene half-day journey into tradition and culture awaits!
[Note: Please do not directly book this tour because I would like to check tea master's availability. Just contact me first. Thank you.]
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Your Hotel
- - Free pick up/drop at your hotel within Tokyo 23wards.
Private Japanese tea ceremony
Join me in Soka for a private Japanese tea ceremony, where you’ll explore the traditions of this revered cultural art. As your guide and interpreter, I’ll assist in explaining the actions and significance behind each step, ensuring a meaningful and engaging experience.
You’ll be hosted by a skilled Japanese tea master who will prepare ceremonial-grade matcha green tea, paired with traditional wagashi sweets or Soka senbei rice crackers. This particular tea house prides itself on using ceremonial top-grade coals for heating the tea kettle, a detail that enhances the authenticity and tradition of the experience.
While tea ceremonies traditionally involve sitting in the formal seiza position, this tea house offers a more relaxed setting, allowing you to sit comfortably if you prefer. With my guidance and interpretation, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the tea-making process and its cultural importance, making this a memorable and immersive experience.
Origami Folding Experience
After the tea ceremony, our Japanese tea master will guide us through an origami folding experience, right in the serene setting of the traditional tea room. You’ll learn to fold a few classic origami designs, discovering the artistry and precision behind this iconic Japanese craft. This hands-on activity is a wonderful way to connect with Japanese culture and create something meaningful to take home as a memory of your visit.
Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North)
As part of this unique tour in Soka, we’ll delve into the world of Matsuo Bashō, one of Japan’s most celebrated poets, and his renowned travel diary, Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North). Bashō’s poetic journey through Edo-period Japan has inspired countless travelers, and Soka, a quaint town on the outskirts of Tokyo, was one of the places he visited along his path.
We’ll explore key locations in Soka connected to Bashō’s journey. I’ll provide insights into the historical and cultural significance of these sites, highlighting their connection to Oku no Hosomichi. You’ll learn about the poetic traditions of haibun, Bashō’s style that blends prose and haiku, and how his observations captured the essence of nature, travel, and spirituality.
One of our stops will include a walk along areas that echo the spirit of Bashō’s travels, allowing you to reflect on the idea that “every day is a journey, and the journey itself home,” a sentiment that lies at the heart of his work. Along the way, I’ll share excerpts from Oku no Hosomichi, bringing Bashō’s words to life as we retrace the steps of this legendary poet.
This tour offers a rare opportunity to connect with the literary and cultural heritage of Japan, providing a deeper appreciation of its poetic and historical landscape. It’s an enriching experience that combines the beauty of Soka’s rural charm with the timeless inspiration of Bashō’s travels.
Soka Senbei Rice Cracker
As part of our tour, you'll also have the chance to try your hand at making a traditional Soka Senbei rice cracker. Soka is famous for its distinctive, crispy senbei, and you'll learn the process from start to finish. Using locally sourced rice, we’ll guide you through the steps of mixing, pressing, and grilling the dough, all while explaining the history and cultural significance of this beloved snack. Once done, you can enjoy your freshly made senbei—crispy, flavorful, and uniquely Soka!
Ending Point
Your Hotel
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guiding Fee
Interpreting Fee
Guide's Rail fare
Guide's Admissions
Pick up and Drop off at your hotel within Tokyo 23 wards
Rail Transit to Soka (600yen one way from Tokyo Station)
Each person should pay the tea master 3000yen
Tour Important Information
Matcha Green Tea: The matcha served during the ceremony is ceremonial grade, which is typically more bitter than the sweeter versions you might be accustomed to. It’s part of the experience to appreciate its rich, earthy flavor.
Respectful Behavior: The tea ceremony follows specific customs and protocols, and it is important to be respectful throughout the experience. This includes gestures like bowing and handling the tea utensils carefully. Please follow the guidance of the tea master to ensure the ceremony is conducted properly and with respect for tradition.
Typically should be open for Friday and Sunday. We need to confirm availability of the tea master beforehand.
Important message from the supplier
My tours focus on the Tokyo subway and rail-accessible locations. I am not able to provide a driver on this site.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2024
About Tour Guide Grant A.
Hello! My name is Grant, and I’ve spent over a decade living and exploring Japan. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, I first came to Japan as a high school exchange student in Inuyama, a historic castle town in Aichi. My love for Japan began early—sparked by childhood games like Pokémon that were released in Japanese before English. This passion led me to pass the N2 Japanese Language Proficiency Test in 2018, study at language schools across Japan, and graduate from the Japan Visual Media Translation Academy.
I’ve traveled to every prefecture in Japan, often using unlimited rail passes to explore castles, historic sites, and regional specialties.
I hold a degree in Asian Studies from a Tokyo university, and my extensive experience living in Tokyo has made me an expert on the city’s transportation system, hidden gems, and affordable eats. With over 30 visits to Kyoto, I have deep knowledge of its historical sites and the broader cultural landscape of Japan. I studied at Japanese language school in Kyoto. I visited all the world heritage sites in Kyoto and have a lot of knowledge on the history of Japan. I can provide tours of Kyoto or places outside of Tokyo for an additional transportation fee.
Tour options:
Half-Day Tour: 20,000 yen (4 hours)
Full-Day Tour: 40,000 yen (8 hours)
Full-Day Tour Outside of Tokyo: 40,000 yen plus transportation expense
Reviews
“Perfect 1 day trip to Kyoto ”
I'm not very good at writing but the experience and places I was able to visit in one day and the logistics it takes to make it to everything is no small feat! Grant did an excellent job super professional and knowledgeable would recommend!
“Customized 4 hr tour”
Grant was fantastic, he met me at the Ariake Tennis Park. My main goal was to see some sites and learn how to use the Tokyo transit/train system. He more than exceeded my expectations and made the rest of our trip to Tokyo a success. He provided additional information on some of the additional activities my wife wanted to take in and we managed to find everything using the train system. I would highly recommend Grant for a tour.
“Ginza Line tour with Grant”
Grant was an excellent tour guide! He was very kind, flexible and extremely knowledgeable about Tokyo history, customs and areas. It was a fantastic introduction to a very complex city. He gave us a great orientation to the transit system and how it works. His Japanese fluency is terrific and he is besides all that funny and personable, very easy to be with. We felt so much more confident about the rest of our 2 week stay in Japan. We would have booked another tour but he was pretty much booked up! We highly recommend his tours!
$132/ per group
Reserve
