INTRODUCTION OF MANDARACHA

 

MANDARACHA™ was created as a tea house, a tea shop and a Japanese culture venue located in the Gion district of Kyoto, a few minutes away from Kennin-ji, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple, founded by Zen Master Myōan Eisai who brought tea seeds from Song China in 1195 and promoted tea cultivation in Japan.

 

We created an atmosphere combining the warmth of Japanese materials such as juraku, bamboo, washi paper, cedar wood, Zen garden with a modern approach. Our raison d’être is to make tea accessible to everyone and to facilitate the introduction of tea culture in our daily lives.

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We specialize in teas from across Japan, selected from producers and tea-growing regions where farmers can fully express their craft with humility. You can choose to try all those teas from our menu, together with exclusive desserts all made from plant-based ingredients. You can also enjoy innovations such as our AWACHA™ (nitrogen infused teas) and premium Matcha.

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Our shop and menu include curated Japanese teas, that were selected after visiting each site and meeting with each producer. You can appreciate a precious tea moment and also experience which tea you like before purchasing.

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We also organize events and experiences for groups up to 25 guests.

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Our main experiences comprise:

- Japanese Tea discovery

- Sado "The Way of Tea" Sadō, commonly referred to in English as the Japanese tea ceremony

- Obon Temae, a simplified form of tea ceremony performed with a tray

- Shamisen and Tea in collaboration with MK MareKumo

- Rakugo and Tea in collaboration with Cyril Coppini

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Please check our experiences here.

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TEA AND ZEN

 

Tea and Zen have shared a deep connection for centuries.

Myōan Eisai, who brought Zen teachings and tea seeds back to Japan from Song China, wrote Kissa Yōjōki (Drinking Tea for Health), considered the earliest Japanese treatise devoted to tea and its health benefits.

Tea subsequently became deeply rooted in the daily life and practice of Zen monks and played an important role in the development of Japan's unique tea culture.

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Throughout history, monks and sages in China and Japan have valued tea not only for its health benefits, but also as part of rituals and spiritual practice, and as a means of cultivating a peaceful and attentive state of mind.

To find stillness through a bowl of tea and become fully present in the moment—this spirit, nurtured through centuries of tea culture, is something we continue to cherish at MANDARACHA and wish to share with our guests.

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Tea is also one of the oldest and most universal ways of bringing people together. Within a single cup, history, spirituality, health, agriculture, science, technology, art and human connection all come together.

 

At MANDARACHA, we invite our guests to discover this rich world without making it complicated—simply by beginning with a cup of tea.

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All the staff of MANDARACHA can communicate in Japanese and English.

Some of us can also provide a service in French or Italian.

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We look forward to welcoming you in Kyoto!

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