Tea ceremony and Silver pavillion on a beautiful autumn day

As I wrote before, a typical tea room is in the garden, and stepping stones lead you to the room, which consists of a few tatami mats. Its window-like square door is very small. Of course, it has a reason why it is so small. Actually I hit my head against the upper frame of the door when I got out of the room. It seems too small for me... probably...





Entoku-in temple we visited on that day serves tea for tea ceremony in the typical tea room in the garden. It is a simplified ceremony, but you can enjoy it at ease.
The experience of having traditional tea in the traditional room counts so much. In this temple, tea was brought by a woman from out of the room. In the traditional way, of course tea is made in front of you and the way of making tea has a rule to be followed. But with just 500 yen for tea, I think it sufficient to have a slight touch of Japanese culture.
I told them how to have the served tea. The girls seemed to have a little knowledge of tea ceremony, and fully enjoyed it. After having tea, the host came and explained to us the meaning of hanging scroll, and of the flowers in the alcove, which made us feel the season we were in.


On the way to Yasaka shrine, I usually take a course walking along Sanneizaka and Nineizaka to Nenenomichi and Ishibekoji. This part has an old Japanese atmosphere and these streets have tiny shops and restaurants on the road sides. Just walking is much fun. Among them, especially for young girls, Totoro of Miyazaki animations draws their attention. In the shop, there are a lot of goods of Miyazaki animation films' characters, though they are a bit expensive for me...

The last leg of our tour was Ginkakuji temple, or Silver Pavillion. It was in late afternoon that we visited there. The sunlight shone directly to the leaves as if it were a spot light.

That was the most beautiful scene of this temple I have ever seen. I recommend you to visit in late afternoon on an autumn sunny day.

The conbination of green of the pine trees and red or yellow of the Japanese maple leaves made a beautiful contrast.

Date ; November 18th

Tourist/ girls from Singapore and a French couple from Singapore

Tour : Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu temple, Sanneizaka Nineizaka, Entokuin temple( tea ceremony), Ishibekoji, (Okonomiyaki), Nishiki food market, Silver pavillion

Tea Ceremony

There are various kinds of service giving tourists chances to experience Japanese culture or traditional events. Tea ceremony is one of them. Attending an authentic tea ceremony is the one not to be missed. In addition to drinking tea itself, it has spiritual and artistic aspects. The ceremony has many procedures to follow, which leads to harmonious relationship between hosts and guests.
Its origin dates back to Muromachi period. And then, Sen Rikyu(1522-1591), a great tea teacher, completed the style of what we know as Tea ceremony today. He introduced Zen spirit into the tea ceremony and made it so-called Wabi-cha. which is based on simplicity and calmness.



Formal tea rooms are basically in Japanese gardens. Stepping stones lead you to the room. In front of the room, there are somtimes waiting chairs and a water basin.
What you see when you visit an authentic tea room is a window-like square door. It has a reason why it is made in such a small size. Of course I will explain it to you during our tour!

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A tea room consists of 4.5 or fewer tatami mats . It is made very simply and please feel its simplicity. Make yourself calm and enjoy the tea and its spirits. I will be with you and help you enjoy one of our culture.





Before having tea, we are served a sweet cake which shows you its season. The cakes vary in each season. By having what is sweet, the sweetness will make a good harmony with the bitterness of tea in your mouth. After your having sweets, a host makes tea for you. The front of the tea cup is set toward the guest. The guest( you) lifts the tea cup and turn a little around on the palm so that you can avoid drinking tea from the front in order not to stain.
In days of old, there were no air-conditioned rooms. People in those days made every effort to feel themselves cooler. A visual factor plays an important role. Seeing picture of a hanging roll and arranged flowers in the aclove is one of the way enjoying the tea ceremony, too



Why don't you try to have this authentic experience? I will assist you!

photo of stepping stones : Zuiho-in ( Daitokuji temple)
Tea room : Koto-in ( Daitokuji temple)
Tea ceremony : Taiho an ( Uji city)