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Highlights
- Step into Toto-an, a registered cultural home, and handle Sasayama-yaki tea utensils that have been passed through generations of the host family.
- On arrival, the owner welcomes you into Toto-an, introduces the house, then you join a tea ceremony led by a local instructor who explains each step.
- Watch the tea ceremony demonstrated, then whisk your own bowl of matcha and taste it with a Japanese sweet, all explained in clear English.
- Sit in a family home in Tamba Sasayama, hear the owner's stories about life and tea etiquette, and feel how rural Japan lives with this ritual.
Your Experience
Visit Toto-an, a registered cultural house in rural Tamba Sasayama, for a hands-on matcha-making session with a local tea instructor.
Getting started
Arrive at Toto-an in the peaceful countryside of Tamba Sasayama, surrounded by mountains. After check-in, you enter this registered cultural property and move into the main area used for the tea gathering. The owner then begins the introduction to the house, outlining its history as a genuine family home rather than a purpose-built tourist venue.
What to expect
Toto-an
Toto-an is a historic private residence recognized as a registered cultural property. You spend your entire experience inside this genuine family home, taking part in an authentic tea ceremony and matcha-making session while learning about local life in rural Japan.
Features
- Your visit starts with entry to Toto-an, a registered cultural property, where you step into a preserved family home in the countryside of Tamba Sasayama, away from crowded urban tea ceremony venues.
- The introduction to the house by the owner includes personal stories about Toto-an, insights into local life, and context on what makes this residence a genuine historic family home rather than a purpose-built tourist venue.
- A tea ceremony demonstration by a local instructor shows you tea etiquette and the meaning behind each part of the ceremony while you watch matcha being prepared in front of you in the traditional setting.
- During the hands-on matcha-making experience, you whisk your own bowl of matcha under the instructor's guidance, then drink it alongside a traditional Japanese sweet that is served to you.
- Throughout the session, you see locally connected tea utensils, including Sasayama-yaki pieces made by the host's great-grandfather, and you can follow the explanations and ask questions using the English-language support provided.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Entry to Toto-an, a registered cultural property
- Introduction to the house by the owner
- Tea ceremony demonstration by a local instructor
- Hands-on matcha-making experience
- One bowl of matcha and a traditional Japanese sweet
- English-language support
- Transportation to and from Toto-an
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Additional food and drinks
- Personal expenses
This product offers multiple ticket options. Some items above (like transfers or fast-track access) may only apply to specific options — confirm what's included when you select yours.
Ticket Delivery
- Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
- Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
- Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the experience starts.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the most common questions travelers ask before booking this experience.