Modern Chaji

A contemporary interpretation of chaji: an evening of seasonal cuisine, tea, sake, and unhurried conversation.

Duration: 3 hours
Location: Tokyo
Capacity: 1–4 guests
From: On request

About This Experience

The essence of the tea gathering extends far beyond a single cup of tea.

Originally, the tea gathering was a form of all-encompassing hospitality: guests were invited to share a meal, enjoy seasonal dishes, exchange a cup of sake, and spend time in conversation. Tea concluded the gathering, but its true heart was always human connection.

This evening offers a contemporary interpretation of the tea gathering, preserving the aesthetics and spirit of the Souwa-ryu school, carefully passed down for over four centuries.

Guests are welcomed with a bowl of usucha, followed by a dinner of seasonal dishes. Then comes the time for koicha—thick tea, considered the heart of the tea gathering and holding a special place in the Souwa-ryu tradition. In the quiet of the tea room, a single bowl connects participants to centuries of Japanese tea artistry.

As the evening continues, the space naturally shifts from the tea room to the bar. Signature cocktails based on matcha, hojicha, and Japanese black tea become a continuation of the tea tradition. As in the art of tea, each drink is prepared before the guests and represents another form of temae—the art of preparation and presentation.

Seasonal cuisine, koicha, usucha, and tea cocktails.

Tradition and modernity, tea room and bar, silence and conversation come together in a single evening, creating a new perspective on Japanese hospitality culture.

This is an opportunity to experience the aesthetics of Souwa-ryu in its modern form and to discover tea not as a ceremony, but as a space for gathering, conversation, and shared time.

Highlights

A combination of a tea room and a bar — A cup of tea prepared according to the temae ritual, and a cocktail crafted with the same graceful movements. Discover both expressions of "temae."
Rice with tea, prepared over coals before your eyes — Rice, slowly cooked over coals in a cast-iron pot. The dish is finished with a fragrant, crispy crust at the bottom, considered a true delicacy here.
Ryurei-style tea room — Preserving the wabi atmosphere, the tea room is designed in the ryūrei style: guests are seated on chairs, allowing them to enjoy the tea ceremony in a comfortable setting.

Options

Chameshi Kama Course On request
Usucha with traditional Japanese sweets, followed by a Chameshi Kama meal featuring charcoal-cooked rice prepared in a traditional kettle, seasonal dishes, and sake. The evening concludes with bar time, including two signature tea cocktails and a selection of seasonal appetizers.
Ichiju-Issai Course On request
Kaiseki meal (rice, soup, mukozuke, pickles, and yutō) served with sake, followed by koicha (thick tea) with traditional Japanese sweets and usucha (thin tea) with dry sweets.
Private Use and Special Events On request

Practical Information

Booking: Advance reservation is required. Due to the nature of the event, please submit your request in advance.
Start time / Duration: Usually starts after 6:00 PM / 3 hours
Clothing and footwear: We recommend choosing modest clothing and kindly ask you to refrain from using perfume and bright accessories.
Photography: Photography is permitted at the owner's discretion; however, please refrain from using flash or photographing during the tea ceremony.
Before your visit: Please let us know your preferences regarding alcohol, allergies, or any other important circumstances when making your reservation.
Included in the price: ・Your selected course: including a tea ceremony
・Accompanied by a personal interpreter