Sencha Tea Ceremony

The Mii-dera Temple (Onjo-ji) is situated on the slopes of Mount Nagara overlooking Lake Biwa. Founded in the 7th century, it is the main temple of the Tendai Jimon school and has served as a place of prayer, study, and spiritual quest for over 1,300 years. The temple’s vast grounds are home to national treasures and important cultural assets, while the changing seasons—from the cherry blossoms of spring to the colors of autumn and the quiet of winter—reveal its beauty anew each time.

It is here that the tradition of Koryu Senchado—the Japanese art of sencha—has been preserved to this day. Its history dates back to the Edo period, when the temple abbot Tsuboiken would draw water from the sacred Mitsui spring and offer pilgrims a cup of tea. Unlike the matcha tea ceremony, senchado focuses on the delicate taste and aroma of the tea leaf, and its graceful movements and tranquil atmosphere create a unique sense of inner harmony.

At Mii-dera, this experience can be enjoyed in two of the temple’s national treasures.

The first is Kangakuin, a historic building that once served as a place of learning for monks and scholars, earning the name “Hall of Great Knowledge.” The magnificent wall paintings that adorn its interiors are considered outstanding examples of Japanese art and are so renowned that they have been reproduced at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Here, the tea ceremony unfolds in a space where history, culture, and aesthetics are united.

The second is Kojo-in, a national treasure and one of the finest surviving examples of shoin-zukuri architecture. Exquisite tatami rooms, traditional architectural details, and a garden with a pond create an atmosphere of tranquility and contemplation, perfectly suited for a leisurely cup of tea.

Both ceremonies are held in the tradition of Mitsui Koryu Senchado, carefully preserved at Mii-dera for centuries. A cup of tea enjoyed within the walls of a national treasure here becomes something more than just tea. History, architecture, gardens, and the aroma of freshly brewed tea blend into a single impression, offering a glimpse into one of the most refined aspects of Japanese culture.