Temple Cuisine, Table Manners, & Tea in a 120 y/o Townhouse

What do you get if you combine Buddhism, Japanese cuisine, tea, architecture, traditional crafts, and culinary traditions? An unforgettable experience. Join this lesson in Japanese table manners and Otoki Ryori (temple cuisine) in a historic townhouse in Gifu, a charming prefecture in the Chubu region of central Japan. You’ll also participate in a traditional tea ceremony alongside your host–a certified lecturer from the Japan Service Manners Association.

Located amongst the scenic landscapes of Gifu Prefecture in Japan lies Mino City, a place where tradition, craftsmanship, and natural beauty intertwine. This charming city (where your experience takes place) is known for its historical significance and renowned textile industry, particularly washi paper–Mino washi paper is designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. This area is relatively unknown to tourists (compared to surrounding regions), making it an ideal location for those seeking a lesser-known getaway in Japan.

Kyoko Furuta is a certified lecturer from the Japan Service Manners Association passionate about preserving Japanese culture and culinary traditions. She has extensive experience teaching table manners and culinary traditions to students, along with vast knowledge of tea ceremonies.

Your experience will occur under Kyoko’s expert guidance in a beautiful 120-year-old Meiji-era townhouse! You’ll taste Otoki Ryori–a type of homemade Buddhist cuisine using seasonal ingredients–complimented by a lesson in table manners. Japanese table manners are a choreographed dance, where every gesture–from picking up your chopsticks to holding your rice bowl–communicates an unspoken language of courtesy and appreciation for the food before you.

This experience includes:

Otoki Ryori (Buddhist temple cuisine): Introduction and tasting experience

A light meal and drinks

Table manners & tableware presentation

Tea Ceremony