Tea custom "Batabata Tea Ceremony" experience event held at Japan Bridge Toyama Kan, Tokyo (February 8 and 9)
At the antenna shop "Japan Bridge Toyamakan" in Toyama Prefecture, which is located in Japan Bridge, Tokyo, the Asahicho "Mamenake Marche" is currently being held (~February 9). On the last weekend of February 8 (Sat) and 9 (Sun), 2025, a hands-on event will be held to experience the traditional tea culture "Batabata Tea Ceremony". (Photo: Asahicho Batabata Tea Tradition Museum)
In the village of Birudan in Asahi Town, the custom of frothing naturally fermented black tea in two tea bowls has taken root since before the Muromachi period. The "Batabata Tea Ceremony" is popular as a place for villagers to interact with each other, and is now passed down as a local traditional culture in which tourists also participate.
In this hands-on event, a master of fluttering tea from Hiruya village visited the museum and gave a lecture to the participants on how to use the tea bowl. Participants will be provided with a valuable opportunity to taste the "fluttering tea" that they themselves have whipped.
The trial session will be held on Saturday, February 8 at 11:00~13:30 for the first part and 15:00~17:00 for the second part. February 9 (Sun) 11:00~15:00, Participation is free. Those who wish to experience it can "stop by and participate in the experience during the time" (Asahi Town).
On the day of the event, cut tulip flowers, a specialty of Asahi Town (280 yen for 1 bottle, 630 yen for a set of 3 tulips), and hydroponic lettuce (400 yen), which has just started production in the town, will be on special sale. In addition, Asahi Town's handicraft "Akagawa yaki", local popular Japanese sweets and herbal teas will also be lined up, and a tourism PR corner will also be set up.
Japan Bridge and Yamakan are open from 10:30~19:30. Transportation is a 1-minute walk from Exit B5 of Mitsukoshi-mae Station on the Ginza Line and Hanzomon Line, and a 3-minute walk from Exit B9 of Japanbashi Station on the Ginza Line and Tozai Line.
Asahi is a small town with a population of about 9,900 located in the easternmost part of Toyama Prefecture, between the Sea of Japan and the Tateyama mountain range. Every April, the Funagawa Quartet in Spring attracts attention for its spectacular view of cherry blossom trees, rape blossoms, and tulips against the backdrop of the Tateyama mountain range.
