18/11/2025
Today I hosted a Chinese Canadian young man who joined my matcha class. He was soft-spoken, very polite, and had the kind of gentle presence that immediately tells you he is a truly good person. His interest in Japanese culture was clear from the moment he entered. When I asked why he wanted to learn matcha, he explained that in Canada it is hard to find authentic matcha, and every café’s matcha latte tastes completely different. After tasting matcha in Japan, he felt the flavor here was far superior, which made him wonder if there was a “Japanese secret.” That curiosity led him to book my class.
When I asked if he discovered the secret, he said the biggest difference is the bamboo whisk. Many cafés abroad use electric mixers or frothers, but the chasen creates fine foam, adds air, and removes the graininess he often tasted in Canada. I explained that true, high-quality Uji matcha does not dissolve easily, and it must be whisked properly. Matcha exported overseas is often cooking-grade, finely milled from leftover powder meant for baking, so it mixes quickly but lacks the depth and smoothness needed for drinking. He said this finally made sense to him.
As we continued talking, he shared that his interest in Japan began with anime. Anime introduced him to aspects of Japanese culture that do not exist in his home environment—manners, aesthetics, craftsmanship, and of course, tea. He said matcha always appeared in scenes paired with Japanese sweets, and he wanted to experience those combinations in real life. Because many visitors dislike red bean or have allergies, my class serves mitarashi dango instead. He told me he loved the balance of warm matcha with its toasted aroma and the soft sweetness of the dango. He said the flavor felt “truly Japanese.”
At the end of the class, he described the experience as calm, sincere, and more meaningful than anything he could get from a café drink. Moments like this remind me how special it is to share real Uji matcha with guests from around the world.
京都の抹茶体験
Only 9 min walk from Kyoto Station / 2 min from To-ji Temple Station
📲 English-friendly booking 24/7 via Google or our official site.
Same-day bookings → phone confirmation only.
Book your private session here ↓
https://kyotomatchaexperience.square.site/