Many travelers who experience the Japanese tea ceremony in Japan are surprised to learn that it is possible to continue the practice at home. You don’t need a full tea room or professional tools—just a simple set of essential utensils will allow you to enjoy the mindfulness and beauty of the tea ceremony in your own living room.
What is Bonryakutemae?
Bonryakutemae (盆略点前) literally means “simplified tray-style tea ceremony.” Instead of a traditional tatami tea room, this method uses a tray to hold the utensils, making it easy to practice even in a small space such as a living room or dining room.
It is often the first style taught to beginners because it requires fewer utensils, is portable, and allows learners to focus on the essential steps of tea preparation. Despite being simplified, Bonryakutemae still reflects the philosophy of the tea ceremony—respect, mindfulness, and appreciation of each gesture.
Essential Utensils for a Home Tea Ceremony
To start practicing tea ceremony at home, you only need a basic tea ceremony set. The Bonryakutemae (tray-style tea ceremony) is especially suitable for beginners because it requires only the minimum utensils:
Tea bowl (chawan) – for preparing and drinking matcha
Tea whisk (chasen) – to froth the tea
Tea scoop (chashaku) – to measure powdered tea
Tea caddy (natsume) – to hold matcha
Fukusa (silk cloth) – used for purifying utensils and handling items with respect
Tray(bon) –to carry and set everything
With these items, you can practice authentic tea ceremony steps at home without needing a full tea room setup.
Of course, matcha is essential for practicing the tea ceremony. In recent years, however, its global popularity has skyrocketed, and demand has outpaced supply. As a result, the price of high-quality matcha has risen significantly.
This makes it all the more important to savor each and every bowl with care and appreciation.
Learning More Than Technique
The tea ceremony is more than simply making tea. Each movement has a meaning: why the tea bowl is rotated, why the tea whisk is handled carefully, why the fukusa is folded in a particular way. These gestures embody centuries of Japanese cultural wisdom, teaching values such as respect, harmony, mindfulness, and appreciation of the present moment.
In our tea ceremony experience, we carefully explain these meanings, so participants not only learn techniques for home practice but also understand the deeper cultural philosophy behind them.
Take Home a Bonryakutemae Set
If you are unsure where to buy utensils, don’t worry. In our tea ceremony experience, we offer an optional Bonryakutemae set that you can take home. This way, you can continue your tea journey right away, without the stress of searching for tools in unfamiliar places.
Conclusion
Practicing Japanese tea ceremony at home is easier than many expect. With just a few utensils, you can create a peaceful, meditative space in your daily life—a small luxury that restores calm and balance.
Whether you begin with our Kyoto experience or with your own Bonryakutemae set at home, tea ceremony offers a timeless way to slow down, connect with tradition, and enjoy the beauty of the present moment.
