Tea and Uji Community Center, Chazuna — Attraction in Uji

I had the pleasure of attending the matcha tea workshop at Chazuna in Uji, Kyoto, and it was truly a memorable and enriching experience! The session began with an in-depth introduction to the cultivation and processing of the Camellia sinensis plant, which is used to produce matcha. We learned about the intricate methods involved in nurturing the plant to ensure the finest green tea leaves, specifically cultivated for matcha. This fascinating journey deepened our appreciation for the origins of this iconic Japanese tea.

The hands-on experience was just as rewarding. We had the opportunity to use a traditional stone grinder to transform the tea leaves into fine matcha powder, a process that required patience and focus. This step really allowed us to connect with the centuries-old tradition of matcha preparation. Following this, we were taught the delicate art of whisking matcha using authentic tools, including a bamboo whisk (chasen), bowl (chawan), and scoop (chashaku). Our instructor was knowledgeable and made sure everyone understood how to achieve that perfect frothy and smooth matcha, emphasizing the proper technique and attention to detail that makes a truly exceptional cup.

The workshop was not just educational but deeply immersive, and I found myself captivated by every aspect. What added to the beauty of this experience was the Chazuna grounds themselves. Strolling around the serene and picturesque environment was a joy in itself. The area was beautifully maintained, exuding a calm and relaxed atmosphere, making it easy to appreciate the beauty of Uji and its rich tea culture.

I highly recommend Chazuna for anyone seeking an authentic and engaging matcha experience. Whether you’re a tea enthusiast or just curious to learn more about this time-honored tradition, you’ll leave with newfound appreciation and unforgettable memories. Thank you to the wonderful team at Chazuna for making this such an enjoyable and enlightening experience!

Cost of 1-hour workshop: JPY...

If you want to understand matcha this is definately the place. There is a museum, a classroom, a cafe and a shop selling matcha related things. Also the place is surrounded by tea plants. Walking into the place the staff looked uneasy and just kind of let us walk around. We discovered ourselves that "oh there's a museum section as well" as we were about to leave. The classes were booked out despite not many people being around. It seems they are booked in advance by tour groups or something as 1 minute there was nobody around with a sign saying "full for today" and next minute a full class. The museum part is behind a curtain and I think around 1000 yen from memory. This was very interesting and interactive with english language explantions as well. The match grinding class looked cool but looks like you definately need to book in advance. The cafe was ok. The matcha there was different to any other matcha latte I have had. Bigger cup with aeratted pure matcha and just a dot of milk foam. The shop is dissapointing. It is cool and has a lot of cool looking stuff. The problem is if you don't read japanese then you have no idea what any of it is. One thing most people want for example is to buy matcha I guess. Sounds simple but it wasn't. We got home to realise we had bought a match/milk/sugar premix powder instead of pure matcha we wanted. There is lots of interesting things but no idea what they were. There is also no assistance although they keep a very close eye on you while in the shop. At least having 1 confident English speaking staff member floating around asking people if they need any help would go a...

This place is an incredible spot and a wonderful activity if you’re looking to learn a bit more about the Japanese culture and history behind Matcha tea. It allowed us a moment of peace to escape from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto. We participated in the Matcha Making Class, which was a fantastic value given its price point. Our class teacher was wonderful and made sure everyone felt welcome. This class is very English friendly and she could easily answer any of our questions about the matcha. The area is scenic and peaceful, as the museum is overlooking the matcha fields that are harvested during prime season. Uji is the birthplace of traditional Japanese tea and the town and people in it have clearly honored this history greatly. After our class, we walked through the tea museum, which we had free attendance to through our purchase of the tickets to do our experience! This was a super unique experience and we left not only with more information about Japanese history of traditional teas, but an overwhelming sense of calm and peace. The class is easy to follow and made all feel included, even some younger kids in our class who were happily sipping their matcha tea after they were finished crafting it. The methods used were also very unique! Would recommend to anyone but especially tea lovers looking to escape the craziness of Kyoto for...