Hakone’s Public Tea Service Series Returns April 15

SARATOGA, CA (April 4, 2018) –Hakone Estate and Gardens, one of the oldest Japanese gardens in the U.S., will bring back its popular Public Tea Ceremony program on Sunday, April 15, 2018. The series runs every third Sunday through Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018.

Cost is $7 plus the price of admission and includes a one-hour authentic ceremony taught by a Japanese Tea Master in traditional garb (seatings at noon, 1 pm or 2 pm). Guests will learn the art of enjoying tea in one of the oldest Japanese Gardens in the western United States. Conducted in the Cultural Exchange Center and designed in the fashion of an authentic Kyoto tea merchant’s shop, guests will feel as if they are actually in Japan. The tea demonstration offered to the public demonstrates the Omotesenke style of tea preparation and serving, one of the traditional methods used in Japan for centuries. The Omotesenke school whisks the tea less than the Urasenke school, creating less foam on the top of the tea. Also, Omotesenke uses both an untreated bamboo chasen and a susudake chasen, or darkened-bamboo tea whisk, while Urasenke uses untreated bamboo for its chasen or tea whisk. Admission to tea ceremony demonstrations is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can be purchased at the Gift Shop on the day of the demonstration.

Hakone also offers a wide variety of docent-led tours and educational classes, from Zen meditation, karate and Tai Chi to watercolor painting.

For more information on Hakone’s fascinating history or other upcoming events visit www.Hakone.com.

EDITORS: Photos of the gardens are available.

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