🌿 2nd World Matcha Forum | Guest Speaker Announcement
We are pleased to announce that Ambassador Keiichi Hara, Director of the Foreign Service Training Institute
at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will join us as a guest speaker
at the 2nd World Matcha Forum to be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Ambassador Hara once had the honor of observing the late Grand Master Sen Genshitsu (Urasenke XV)
preparing tea at the Ministry’s training institute.
He also volunteered for an overseas assignment in Afghanistan, where he was deeply involved in
cultural preservation and peace-related activities amid the challenges of post-conflict society.
Drawing on these valuable experiences, Ambassador Hara will share insights under the theme of “Culture and Peace” and lead an interactive quiz session featuring episodes from his time abroad.
Ambassador Hara is also a high school classmate of the organizer, Yoko Kinoshita.
Through this forum, we hope that matcha will serve as a bridge for people around the world to connect
and share a common wish for peace and cultural understanding.
🕊️ About the World Matcha Forum
The forum is a charity event to support recovery from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
All proceeds will be donated to the Wajima Lacquerware Restoration Fund
and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Opening Remarks: Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland (planned) ｜ Donations: Wajima Lacquerware Revival & ICRC
For Companies and Institutions
As a sponsor, you will receive a special Kimono & Matcha Experience.
Perfect for employee well-being, CSR, client hospitality, and intercultural education. ✨
Benefits of Sponsorship
🌏 Peace & Cultural Exchange: Demonstrates commitment to peace and international cultural exchange, enhancing social trust and global brand image.
🍵 Sustainability Appeal: Matcha is a sustainable and healthy drink, supporting ESG/CSR communication and highlighting environmental awareness.
🧘 Employee Well-being: Mindfulness through tea practice reduces stress and improves concentration.
🤝 Client & Community Engagement: Matcha events provide opportunities to connect with clients and strengthen community ties.
⭐ Publicity: Exposure on the official website, slides, SNS, and press releases increases recognition nationally and internationally.
Sponsorship Levels & Benefits
🌿 Bronze
300 CHF
Logo on the official website
Mention in event slides
🎟️ Admission tickets: 12 people (online equivalent: approx. CHF 300)
🤝 Instagram co-post (optional)
📘 Facebook post: 1 time
📱 Stories mention: 1 time
🍵 Silver
1,000 CHF
Verbal acknowledgment at the opening / Mention in SNS & participant emails
Benefit: one Kimono & Matcha Experience (onsite or online)
👉 Normally offered via the Matcha Workshop at CHF 110 per person.
Within Canton Zurich, travel expenses are included, making this a very attractive sponsor benefit.
🏢 Onsite participation limit: up to 10 people (CHF 110 × 10 = CHF 1,100 value)
💡 Total value estimate:approx. CHF 1,850 (onsite + online)
🤝 Instagram co-post (optional)
📘 Facebook posts: 2 times
📱 Stories mentions: 2 times
🎖 Gold
3,000 CHF
Prominent logo in program / Mention in press release / Special thank-you page
Benefit: customized cultural workshop (kimono etiquette, matcha & wagashi, lecture, etc.)
👉 Normally based on the Matcha Workshop at CHF 110 per person.
Within Canton Zurich, travel expenses are included, making this a premium and cost-effective sponsor benefit.
🏢 Onsite participation limit: up to 30 people (CHF 110 × 30 = CHF 3,300 value)
🎍 Announcement: 2026 New Year “Afternoon Tea & Table-Style Tea Ceremony @ Nihonbashi” – Day 1
Our popular “Afternoon Tea Gathering” returns for its 5th edition in Nihonbashi.
Enjoy a glamorous afternoon tea on the hotel’s executive floor,
followed by a table-style tea ceremony in a private room overlooking Tokyo Tower.
Spend a serene New Year’s afternoon in kimono, savoring a touch of the extraordinary.
🌸 Theme
“Open the door to a new world — and live your best life!”
📍 Event Details
Date & Time
Friday, January 16, 2026 — 15:00–18:15
Venue
Royal Park Hotel (Directly connected to Suitengu-mae Station, Nihonbashi)
Part 1: Afternoon Tea Time
15:00–16:30 (1.5 hours) 6,900 JPY
Enjoy an all-you-can-eat, free-flow afternoon tea at the executive lounge.
(Scones, cup desserts, brownies, cookies, sandwiches, coffee, tea, juice, draft beer, and sparkling wine)
Part 1 is filled with excitement and warmth. As the new year begins, unwind and enjoy friendly conversation, sharing your dreams and thoughts with one another. Surrounded by delicious tea and sweets, smiles naturally spread in a cozy atmosphere.
(While Day 2 offers a relaxed two-hour session, Day 1 lets you enjoy the night view during Part 2.)
Part 2: Table-Style Tea Ceremony
16:45–18:15 (1.5 hours) 6,900 JPY
Enjoy a mindful, tranquil tea gathering in a private room with a beautiful night view of Tokyo Tower.
In Part 2, experience the world of the table-style tea ceremony. Through learning how to receive and enjoy tea, you’ll also explore the use of kaishi (tea paper), table coordination, and the meanings behind the tea bowl and utensils, while touching on seasonal words (kigo) and teachings from the Analects of Confucius. Through tea, you’ll nurture a heart that cherishes “this very moment,” gently realign yourself, and welcome the new year with calmness.
👉 Join both sessions for a special set price: 13,500 JPY (Early-bird discount until November 30: 13,000 JPY)
Cancellation Policy:
20% within 7 days prior, 50% within 2 days prior, 100% on the event day.
Over two days at the pop culture event in Winterthur, we held a yukata workshop and hosted a sales booth.
On the first morning, I had my usual fear: “What if we don’t sell a single yukata?” But to my surprise, the men’s yukatas almost sold out, and on the second day we even had to urgently restock the women’s models. Many participants traveled not only from Switzerland but also from neighboring countries, which showed the strong interest in Japanese culture.
Throughout the workshop and at the booth, people told us how happy they were to experience Japanese culture through anime and cosplay. Seeing participants try on yukata, take photos with bright smiles, and connect with new friends was truly inspiring.
A heartfelt thank you to Hayami-san, Blossom-san, and the entire organizing team for their wonderful support. I look forward to creating more opportunities where people can enjoy Japanese culture through yukata and kimono.
🍵 Experience Matcha at Chibi-Con – Tea, Culture & Mindfulness
🗓 Date: Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10, 2025 ⏰ Time:14:00–14:45 (approx. 45 minutes each day) 📍 Location: Chibi-Con, MZA Teuchelweiher, Winterthur 👘 Instructor: Workshop led by Sushi Yoko Instagram: 👉 @sushi_yoko_com 👉 @sushi_yoko_kimono
💰 Participation Fee:
CHF 20.– (includes Japanese sweet) Payable in cash or via TWINT on site Payment on site (cash or TWINT): CHF 25.–
🉐 Special Offer: 👉 Get CHF 5.– OFF if you also join the Yukata Workshop! (Only CHF 15.– when attending both workshops)
🍵 Workshop Highlights
Discover the beauty of Matcha and tea culture through a fun and mindful session:
Learn how to make and enjoy Matcha in the traditional way
Discover the history and cultural background of Japanese tea
Taste authentic Japanese Wagashi (tea sweets)
📚 Matcha & Tea Ceremony Quiz – with a prize for the winner!
🧘♀️ End the session with a mindful Matcha meditation for peace and calm
📸 Photo time with a Japanese Wagasa umbrella 👘 Matcha will be served by the instructor in a kimono
🉐 By the way: The Matcha workshop usually costs CHF 100.– when combined with a mochi-making session: 👉 Matcha with Sweets Workshop At Chibi-Con, you can join this unique experience for a special low price!
🇬🇧 Yukata at Chibi-Con! – Join the Yukata Workshop!
🎐 Come to Chibi-Con in a Yukata!
🗓 Date: Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10, 2025 ⏰ Time: 11:30–12:20 (approx. 50 minutes) 📍 Location: Chibi-Con, MZA Teuchelweiher, Winterthur 👘 Instructor: The workshop will be led by Sushi Yoko
Instagram:
👉 @sushi_yoko_com
👉 @sushi_yoko_kimono
💰 Participation Fee:
CHF 30.– with advance bank transfer
CHF 35.– with cash or TWINT on the day
💠 FREE participation:
・When you purchase a yukata at our booth
・Or when you order a yukata online via kimono-club.ch
💡 Special Offer:
This workshop is equivalent to a beginner course worth CHF 100.– (see example),
but at Chibi-Con we offer it for just CHF 35.–!
👘 Yukata Sale from 10:30
Visit our booth before the workshop!
Starting at 10:30, we’ll be selling a selection of beautiful yukata for women and men. If you buy a yukata from us or online at kimono-club.ch, the workshop is free.
📝 Workshop Content
Learn how to wear a yukata, the traditional Japanese summer garment, properly and stylishly.
Perfect for beginners interested in Japanese culture, cosplay, or summer festivals.
You’ll receive step-by-step instructions and background on the traditions.
📸 At the end, enjoy taking a photo with a Japanese wagasa umbrella!
⏰ Schedule:
Time
Program
11:30–11:40
Introduction: What is a yukata? What is an obi?
11:40–12:10
Practical: How to wear a yukata & tie the obi
12:10–12:20
Styling tips, Q&A, and 📸 photo time with wagasa
※ Please plan about 5 minutes before and after for setup and cleanup.
🧳 Please bring:
Your own yukata (pre-ironed if possible)
Hanhaba obi (half-width sash)
Obi board (optional)
2 koshihimo (ties or substitutes like scarves or belts)
1 small towel (for adjusting body shape)
Leggings and a camisole (tank top) are required
Tabi socks (optional)
No mirror needed
※ A limited number of rental yukata are available upon request.
The second part, “Table Tea Ceremony,” also ended with a wave of emotion. A mindful moment to quietly face oneself in a space with a night view…✨ Thank you very much to everyone who participated. We are truly grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime encounter.
Today’s matcha was “Haru Kasumi,” a limited edition tea from Kyoto’s Marukyu Koyamaen (@marukyu.koyamaen_official) 🍵 The sweets were “Iris,” a type of Nerikiri cake from Himeji’s long-established Iseya Honten (@iseyahonten.himeji), in honor of the Boys’ Festival 🌿 The tools were a Wajima-nuri teacup and tea scoop, and a Kenzan-style tea bowl “Take,” and we cherished the May setting.
I hope that it was a time when the gentle southern breeze gently enveloped our hearts, just like the Zen phrase “Kunpu Jinanrai.”
I hope we can have tea time like this together in Europe someday.
And I hope that kimono friends will spread all over the world.
Let’s Connect with Kimono Friends Around the World! Thank you very much to everyone who attended the “Kimono Tea Party” held on May 6 at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel in Osaka.
We were lucky with the weather and were able to take pictures along the Dojima River without being rained on. We had a dreamy time surrounded by everyone’s gorgeous kimonos and smiling faces.
We were happy to be able to express our gratitude directly to those we met for the first time, to those who came from far away, and to everyone who has always supported us.
I can only express my gratitude to Ms. Aya Aya @ayaayaskimono for coming as a guest. Thanks to her students, Miki-san @kimono.blossom.ch and Kaoru-san who live in Switzerland. @kambe1960, to say nothing of the many thanks we owe to them, I realize that this event is possible thanks to many people. 🙏
Teachers from Table Style Tea Ceremony Tsubaki no Kai @tsubakinokai also came, thank you so much 🙏. Rika sensei @rika.hanaoka Rinko sensei @kimonorei0519 Yuki sensei @kimono_sweets_lover Misa sensei @kimono_misa Thank you very much.
I hope this wonderful relationship will continue.
I hope to see you in kimono in Europe someday. And I hope to make kimono friends all over the world.
