How to Do a Japanese Tea Ceremony: Step-by-Step Guide to Matcha Etiquette, Ritual Flow, and Beginner Techniques

Learn the exact steps, gestures, and cultural etiquette of chanoyu—from entering the tea room to receiving the bowl—with simple instructions for complete beginners.

Yesterday, I wrote about the general background of tea ceremony—what it is, why Japanese people love it, and the simple history behind it. Today we’re going a level deeper.

This post is all about how to actually do a tea ceremony as a beginner, what to expect, and how to behave in a way that feels comfortable and authentic.

This is where the paid portion begins, so if you’re not a paid subscriber yet, now is the perfect moment—especially because I’m launching a special campaign soon: I’ll write your “Kanji of the Year” for 2026 with a custom explanation in Japanese for paid subscribers!

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1) Entering the Tea Room

When you approach the tea room (called a chashitsu), the atmosphere already begins. Move slowly. Step lightly. Bow before entering. There’s no rush—tea ceremony is the opposite of rushing.

Inside, sit on the tatami. If seiza is painful, cross-legged or side-sitting is completely fine in modern ceremonies. Hosts today are very relaxed about it.

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2) Appreciating the Tokonoma