– A Japanese tea experience and a conversation about understanding people across cultures –
What can tea teach us about how we connect across cultures?
Step into the world of tea ceremony (chanoyu) and discover how communication happens beyond words—through gestures, timing, silence, shared space, and consideration for others.
This special workshop is organized by Kissako Cha Know You, a nonprofit organization.
Rather than focusing only on tea etiquette, its activities invite people to discover Japanese culture, connect with one another, and enjoy moments of quiet reflection through a bowl of tea.
As part of its ongoing activities, the organization hosts the monthly Japanese Tea Experience in Oimachi in both English and Japanese, welcoming beginners, returning participants, and international residents alike.
Eiko is Vice President and Mika is a volunteer member of Kissako Cha Know You and help organize the monthly Japanese Tea Experience in Oimachi.
About the Workshop
Experience a traditional tea ceremony with seasonal Japanese sweets and matcha, then join an engaging conversation led by a U.S. intercultural communication scholar living in Tokyo. Together, we will connect the experience to everyday life and explore new perspectives on communicating across cultures.
What to Expect
Who is it For
International residents in Tokyo curious about Japanese culture, communication, and meaningful cross-cultural relationships, and curious international visitors.
No tea ceremony experience needed.
Experience → Reflect → Dialogue → Discover
Come for the Matcha. Stay for the insights.
When: Monday, October 19th, 2026 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Venue: THE SCHRECK HOUSE
Mika spent 15 years in the United States after moving there at the age of 13. During her junior year of college, she studied intercultural communication at the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo as an exchange student, where she first began seeing Japanese culture through a Western perspective.
In her 50s, she discovered chanoyu, and it became a journey of reconnecting with her own roots. Through tea, she found a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and a renewed sense of pride and joy in her heritage.
Renee teaches intercultural communication at Sophia University in Tokyo. Beyond her academic work, she actively participates in a wide range of Japanese cultural experiences and has developed keen insights into how culture is communicated through everyday practices.
Having lived in Japan for many years, she has developed a deep appreciation for Japanese culture. Her curiosity extends beyond Japan as well, and through her travels and interest in cultures around the world, she enjoys exploring what different traditions can teach us about human connection.
As a regular participant in the monthly chanoyu gatherings, she has experienced tea culture through the eyes of a non-Japanese learner. Having watched the global matcha boom grow, she believes that matcha can become a doorway to something even deeper. She hopes more people will have the opportunity to discover the rich culture, values, and human connection that chanoyu offers.
Through her repeated experiences with chanoyu and other traditional arts, Renee has developed a keen eye for the subtle ways Japanese culture is expressed through silence, timing, gestures, and shared space. In this event, she brings together both scholarly expertise and lived experience, offering participants a relatable perspective on discovering Japanese culture from the outside.