Tea Tasting & Etiquette in a Historic Townhouse (Gifu)

Are you partial to a well-brewed cup of tea? Interested in table manners? Have a keen eye for traditional architecture? Want to learn more about Japanese culture and culinary traditions? Seeking a road less traveled? This is the experience for you. Join Kyoko Furuta–a certified lecturer from the Japan Service Manners Association–for a Marika (Jasmine) tea-tasting and a lesson in table manners at a historic townhouse in Mino City.

Mino City in Gifu Prefecture is an ode to Japan's enduring cultural legacy. Renowned for its Mino Washi paper (designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) which has stood the test of time for over a millennium, the city is a testament to the preservation of craftsmanship. Skilled artisans continue to create this exquisite paper using age-old techniques, crafting sheets that are both beautiful and functional.

This enchanting area is where your lesson in tea and table manners will take place! You’ll enter a 120-year-old Meiji-era townhouse that’s steeped in history. Your host will run you through the ins and outs of Japanese table manners, the significance of tableware, and tea culture. Kyoko is a certified lecturer from the Japan Service Manners Association, passionate about sharing Japanese culture and culinary traditions through her unique experiences. She has extensive knowledge of teaching students table manners and culinary traditions, along with a vast understanding of tea ceremonies. The star of your cup will be Marika (or Jasmine) tea. Marika tea is rich in antioxidants, aids in boosting the immune system, promotes heart health and can aid digestion. You’ll learn about these health benefits and participate in trivia afterward.

From the meticulous art of using chopsticks to the deliberate way of lifting bowls, Japanese table manners are rituals and expressions of gratitude for the sustenance and those who provide it.