🎍 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.
🎫
Full House! Matcha Experience Report from the Pop Culture Event
Full House! Matcha Experience Report from the Pop Culture Event
— Exploring Japanese Culture through Quiz, Wagashi, and Meditation —
🍵 Our two-day #Matcha workshop has come to a close – and what an unforgettable experience it was!
Before the event, I honestly wondered: “Will people at a pop culture convention really care about matcha?” To my surprise, both sessions were completely full, and we even had to add extra seats 👏✨
Many participants told me, “I often make matcha lattes at home,” while others admitted, “This is my very first time holding a bamboo whisk.” Watching beginners and seasoned fans side by side, smiling as they prepared tea together, was truly heartwarming.
As always, our “Matcha Quiz” was a highlight. Nobody managed to get all the answers right this year either – but that challenge sparked laughter, conversations, and a wonderful sense of connection. After the quiz, we shared wagashi, prepared matcha together, and closed with a short meditation. In the middle of a lively pop culture event full of anime, cosplay, and manga, those few quiet moments of mindfulness felt all the more special.
After 20 years in Switzerland, seeing Japanese culture embraced so naturally within the world of pop culture feels like a dream to me.
To everyone who joined, and to the dedicated organizing team – thank you from the bottom of my heart. I look forward to the next chance to share these precious “moments of matcha” with you 💐
🎥 Watch the highlights in this short video:
👉 View Instagram Reel
🌸 Would you like to try matcha at home?
We also host small-group matcha events with wagashi. Reserve your spot here:
👉 Matcha & Sweets Experience – Reservation Page
The 1st World Matcha Forum Income and Expenditure Report
I’m Sushi (Kinoshita) Yoko from the organizing team.
Thank you very much for your cooperation with the World Matcha Forum. Your kind support has enabled us to carry out reconstruction support activities for the Noto earthquake. Including those who donated after the event, the total number of donors is now 47. We would like to express our sincere gratitude.
Breakdown of income
• Japanese Yen (JPY)
o Via Peatrix: 87,423 yen
o Other: 20,000 yen
• Euro (EURO)
o Via Eventbrite: 29.20 euros (equivalent to 4,835 yen at a rate of 165.58)
• US Dollar (USD)
o 17.24 dollars (equivalent to 2,640 yen at a rate of 153.12)
• Swiss Franc (CHF)
o 336.70 francs (equivalent to 59,454 yen at a rate of 176.58)
• Total income: 174,352 yen
Exchange rate (as of October 28th)
Report from Peatrix
Transfer from Peatrix
Transfer from Everbrite
Breakdown of expenditures (donations)
• Donation to: Hokuriku Bank, Wajima Branch, Current Account 0003519 Wajima Lacquerware Industrial Cooperative Association
• Transfer amount: 174,352 yen
• Transfer fee: 220 yen
• Total amount transferred: 174,572 yen
For details on the transfer statement, please refer to the image below.
________________________________________
Additional information on donations
In addition, transfer fees and prizes at the forum will be covered as donations by Blossom and Sushi Yoko.
________________________________________
Final report
Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we have donated a total of 174,572 yen to the Wajima Lacquerware Industrial Cooperative Association
https://wajimanuri.or.jp/. We hope to continue to support the Noto earthquake recovery efforts.
If you have any questions or would like more information about this income and expenditure, please feel free to let us know.
For questions, please contact us via email at info(@)sushi-yoko.ch
The following is a message from Mr. Kirimoto
https://www.instagram.com/taiichi_kirimoto/
This is a reply from Secretary General Sumi of the Wajima Lacquerware Commerce and Industry Cooperative Association https://wajimanuri.or.jp/.
Secretary General Sumi explained the current situation to Hiroyuki-san on YouTube from the Wajima Lacquerware Hall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyMrD3tnjgQ&t=1866s
Please send new donations directly here.
Once things have settled down, I would like to visit Wajima as well.
I look forward to meeting you both online and offline.
Please join the Facebook Group “World Matcha Forum” if you would like. You can access it here. We look forward to your continued support.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1598701154035687
Thank you so much!!!
Sushi Yoko https://www.instagram.com/sushi_yoko_com/
Blossom https://www.instagram.com/kimono.blossom.ch/
Matcha Workshop in Zurich
If you want to learn how to make matcha, do not hesitate to contact me. If you do 5 hours of course, you will receive a certificate as an advisor from https://tablestylesado.com/
