Cultural Experience
Matcha at Okochi Sanso
A moment of tranquility in the heart of Arashiyama. Your admission ticket includes a traditional bowl of matcha and a seasonal Japanese sweet, served in the garden's serene tea room.
The Tea House & Custom
Okochi Sanso Garden features a rustic, open-air tea pavilion and the historic Tekisui-an (滴水庵) tea house. Set against the backdrop of the Mt. Ogura foothills, the tea room provides a quiet sanctuary where you can reflect after walking through the bamboo paths.
What to Expect
- •Traditional Matcha: Made from high-quality powdered green tea, whisked with hot water using a bamboo whisk to create a frothy, velvety texture.
- •Seasonal Sweet (Monaka): A traditional Japanese confection with sweet red bean paste inside a crisp wafer, designed to balance the pleasant bitterness of the matcha.
- •Serene Views: Sit on traditional red felt-covered benches overlooking the surrounding maples, pine trees, and bamboo trees.
Tea Room Etiquette
Ticket Exchange
Ticket Exchange: Present your entry ticket stub at the tea counter inside the pavilion area.
Sweet First
Sweet First: Eat the sweet confection first. This sweetens your palate and balances the rich taste of the green tea.
The Bowl Rotation
The Bowl: Pick up the tea bowl (chawan) with your right hand and place it on the palm of your left hand. Rotate the bowl clockwise twice before drinking to avoid drinking from the front face design.
Sip Quietly
Sip Quietly: Enjoy the tea in two or three sips. Make a gentle slurping sound on your final sip to signify you have finished.
Matcha and Monaka Sweet
A warm bowl of whisked green tea served with a sweet red bean Monaka wafer.
Moss Pathway to Tea Pavilion
A mossy stone path winding through maple canopy toward the serene pavilion.