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!
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.
