Nihon jhosei shimbunsya

Tea Ceremony at Tokyo Tower
Enjoying the Sky through the Way of Tea
A luxurious bowl of tea overlooking the morning streets of Tokyo

A morning tea ceremony at Tokyo Tower offered participants the opportunity to enjoy Japanese tea while looking out over the city of Tokyo.

Held at one of the highest vantage points in Tokyo, the event combined the traditional art of tea with the spectacular morning view from Tokyo Tower.

Since the opening of Tokyo Tower, its observation decks have been a special destination for visitors wishing to enjoy a panoramic view of the capital. On this occasion, the unique setting was used to create an experience in which participants could enjoy matcha and traditional Japanese sweets while watching Tokyo awaken in the morning.

The tea gathering was designed so that even people unfamiliar with the Japanese tea ceremony could participate comfortably. Seating was also provided for guests who wished to experience the ceremony in a relaxed manner.

The tea ceremony was conducted by Mori, an experienced practitioner of the Japanese tea ceremony. He served matcha and Japanese sweets and demonstrated the graceful movements and procedures of the traditional tea ceremony.

Many of the participants were foreign visitors, making the event an opportunity for people unfamiliar with tea ceremony to experience Japanese culture firsthand.

The gathering was not simply about drinking matcha. By holding a tea ceremony in the symbolic setting of Tokyo Tower, the organizers sought to allow visitors to experience Japanese hospitality, or omotenashi, together with the magnificent view of Tokyo.

Experiencing tea ceremony at the observation deck — a quiet moment above Tokyo

Against the backdrop of Tokyo's morning skyline, participants entered the tea setting and enjoyed matcha and traditional Japanese sweets.

Experiencing the tea ceremony in such an unusual elevated setting offered participants a fresh and accessible way to encounter Japanese culture.

The Japanese tea ceremony is not merely the preparation and drinking of powdered green tea. It is also a culture of hospitality in which the host welcomes guests, handles the utensils with care, appreciates the changing seasons, and creates a moment of harmony between host and guest.

By holding a morning tea gathering at Tokyo Tower, one of Tokyo's most recognizable landmarks, the event sought to communicate the beauty of Japanese culture to visitors from both Japan and abroad.