Experience making matcha tea with a stone mill and brewing it at a long-established tea shop (Sakai City, Osaka)

After your matcha experience, you can wander through Sakai City's historical districts to soak in their unique charm. We recommend visiting the 'Tomb of Emperor Nintoku,' one of the world's largest keyhole-shaped tombs. Additionally, the 'Sakai Old Town Area' preserves many traditional buildings, while the 'Former Residence of Sen no Rikyu' and the 'Sakai City Museum' offer deep dives into Sakai's rich history as a center for tea ceremony and cutlery, making your trip even more fulfilling.

If you're taking the Hankai Tramway to an old tea shop in Sakai City for a matcha experience, we suggest alighting at 'Shukuin Station.' Shukuin Station is located in the central area of Sakai City, and it's a short walk to the surrounding tea shops, offering convenient access. Riding the Hankai Tramway itself is also a way to experience the nostalgic atmosphere of Sakai, allowing you to admire unique streetscapes and local life along the way.

You can purchase a Hankai Tramway day pass at the ticket offices of designated Hankai Tramway stations (such as Tennoji-ekimae and Hamadera-ekimae), or sometimes you can buy it directly from the driver on the tram. To use it, simply show the date on the back of your ticket to the driver each time you alight, allowing you to enjoy unlimited rides on the Hankai Tramway for the day and easily explore Sakai City.

During the matcha experience at an old tea shop in Sakai City, visitors will have the opportunity to follow the tea shop owner's guidance and learn to grind matcha powder by hand using a stone mill, experiencing the traditional craft of matcha preparation from scratch. Additionally, the experience includes a simple lesson on how to brew delicious sencha, allowing you to understand the essence of brewing different types of tea. This hands-on process not only lets you prepare it yourself but also appreciate the subtlety and heritage of the tea ceremony.

Sakai City, as one of the birthplaces of the Japanese tea ceremony, particularly the origin of 'Rikyu-style tea ceremony,' boasts a unique tea culture that pursues the spirit of 'Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku' (harmony, respect, purity, tranquility). This is where the tea master Sen no Rikyu emerged, who combined the tea ceremony with Zen Buddhist thought, elevating it from a mere beverage to an art and philosophy. Sakai's tea culture emphasizes harmony between people and nature, as well as cherishing the present moment, leaving a profound influence.

Yes, in the matcha experience at an old tea shop in Sakai City, in addition to preparing matcha by hand using a stone mill, you'll have the chance to taste the freshly ground matcha prepared by the shop, experiencing its vibrant flavor. Furthermore, the activity includes a simple course on how to brew delicious sencha, offering you a more comprehensive understanding of Japanese teas and a complete tea culture experience for a relaxing time.

The main difference between the Hankai Tramway and the Osaka Metro is that the former is a streetcar that runs on the ground, allowing you to enjoy street views up close. Generally, you board through the rear door and alight from the front door, paying the fare upon alighting. You can use cash or IC cards (like ICOCA). Since it shares the road with regular vehicles, please be mindful of traffic and the vehicle's sway while riding to experience a unique, slow-paced journey.

The matcha experience at an old tea shop in Sakai City, which includes stone mill matcha preparation, tasting freshly ground matcha, and a sencha brewing lesson, typically takes about 60 to 90 minutes. This duration is ample time to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the tea ceremony, complete the matcha preparation process yourself, enjoy the pleasure of tasting tea, and deeply experience the essence of Japanese tea culture for a fulfilling and meaningful time.