The Yomiuri Shimbun

Promoting the Culture of Japanese Hospitality
Tea ceremony at TokyoTower, at 60th anniversary

On December 6, a tea ceremony was held at Tokyo Tower, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary of opening on December 23. Approximately 150 people from across Japan attended the event, where guests enjoyed Japanese tea and traditional sweets.

The event was organized for the first time by Nippon Television City Corporation (Nippon Denpato), the operator of Tokyo Tower, with the aim of communicating the tower's appeal as a center for promoting Japanese culture.

Members of the Franco-Japanese Association for the Way of Tea, which introduces the Japanese tea ceremony in countries around the world, were invited to participate.

At the Welcome Lounge on the first floor of Tokyo Tower, they demonstrated how Japanese tea is prepared. Approximately 30 tea ceremony utensils, including Bizen ware tea bowls and Kyō-yaki water containers, were also displayed.

Haruko Sameshima, 38, from Naha City, who had come especially for the event, said:

“Tokyo Tower is a symbol of Japan. The atmosphere was wonderful, and I really enjoyed the tea.”

A second tea gathering was also held at the Top Deck, located 250 meters above the ground.

Approximately 40 guests and people associated with the event, including Lily Franky, the author of the bestselling novel Tokyo Tower: Mom and Me, and Sometimes Dad, were invited to the gathering.

President Maeda said:

“We would like Tokyo Tower to continue to play a role as a place where we can share and communicate the culture of Japanese hospitality.”