I joined a matcha-making class in Tokyo with my mother-in-law (while my father-in-law was taking care of my 3-month-old baby at home! Thank you, father-in-law!). The class lasted one hour and was taught in English. I had always wanted to learn how to make matcha, and this one-hour session was a great introduction. It gave me the confidence to make matcha at home and offered a nice glimpse into the world of traditional Japanese tea ceremony. I can truly recommend this class to everyone — it’s a great activity for couples, families, and even solo travelers.
The brief information at the time I took the class in 2025 was as below. Please check the updated information in the site.
- Location: Asakusa
- Cost: from $21.82 per adult
- Duration: 1 hour
- Instruction language: English
- Cancellation: Full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- What’s included: One cup of matcha and small Japanese snacks
- What you can learn: How to make matcha and matcha latte
My Experience of the Matcha-Making Class
I took the class at 11 a.m. on a Friday. There were six participants, including me and my mother-in-law. The group was quite diverse: Taiwanese, Chinese, Portuguese, American, and me, Japanese. There was one main instructor and an assistant, both of whom were Japanese. Although the class was delivered in English, it was very easy to understand, so don’t worry even if you are not a native English speaker. The atmosphere was friendly and casual, and you could ask questions at any time.
The room was not a traditional Japanese tatami room. Instead, there were tables and chairs, so there was no need to sit in the kneeling position used in traditional tea ceremonies. On the table, a set of matcha-making instruments and small Japanese snacks were prepared for each participant.
During the class, the instructor explained what matcha is, its history, the tools used, and how to prepare it. After explaining each step, she demonstrated the techniques, and then we each took turns trying them ourselves. Whisking the powdered green tea looked easy when she did it, but it was actually quite challenging! She gave us tips on whisking, what the foam should look like, posture, and so on. She also explained the meaning behind each step, such as why you need to turn the tea cup two and a half times. The instructor was very skilled—she had been studying matcha preparation since high school and still practices at home regularly.
If you want, you can buy powdered green tea, beautiful tea cups, bamboo whisks, and more at the venue (there was no pushy selling or advertising).
What I Thought About the Class
I found the class very enjoyable—not too long, not too short, not difficult, and held in a relaxed environment. It was a perfect introduction to matcha making, and now I can make both matcha and matcha lattes at home. After the class, I became more interested in sado (traditional Japanese tea ceremony). I had always wondered why people study sado for many years, but now I feel that there truly is so much to learn. The world of matcha making and tea ceremony is very deep and profound. You have to focus on each movement and manner of preparation, leaving no room to think about anything else. That was the impression I got. I recently learned that there is a sado class in my neighborhood, so I might try it in the near future. I liked the process of making matcha because it felt like meditation.
Again, the one-hour class was more than enough to learn how to make matcha at home. I highly recommend taking the class, rather than only buying matcha products while visiting Japan. It is held in the main area of Asakusa and only 1 minute away from Kaminarimon Gate. Plus, nothing to prepare to take the class, so you can take the class instead of resting at a cafe. I do think the cost was compatible or even cheap for what you can experience in the class.
Booking is available from here! You can get a full refund if cancelled up to 24 hours before the class, just book ahead and adjust depending on your schedule in Tokyo! (Please check the cancellation policy yourself before booking.)