Building a Global Network for the Way of Tea

International Chado
Convention 2026

The Japanese Tea Ceremony — Past, Present and Future

Wed, Dec 16 – Fri, Dec 18, 2026 | National Olympics Memorial Youth Center, Tokyo

✦ FREE ADMISSION ✦ Symposium, Seminars & Culture Experiences

Highlights

Symposium & Seminars


FREE All symposium & seminar sessions are free of charge

International Symposium

Dec 16 · Opening

International Symposium

Opening ceremony with Urasenke, Omotesenke and IJCEE on the origins and future of chado.

Seminars in English

Dec 16 – 18

Seminars in English

Five talks on Zen, tea etiquette, Japanese cuisine and the craft of tea utensils.

About

A three-day convention in Tokyo exploring the past, present and future of the Japanese tea ceremony — with an international symposium, seminars in English, a tea utensil exhibition and hands-on culture workshops.

Programme

Schedule


Click a date to see the programme.

Wednesday, December 16

9:30 – 11:00

Symposium · Opening Ceremony

International Symposium on the Origins and Future of Chado

Urasenke, Omotesenke and Ryozo Yonehara, Chairman, IJCEE

13:30 – 15:00

Seminar

Words of Zen

Sozen Toda, Daiji-in (Daitoku-ji)

Thursday, December 17

9:30 – 11:00

Seminar

Japanese Culture and Chado

Ashley Warren, tea ceremony practitioner (Australia)

13:30 – 15:00

Seminar

Introduction to Chado — Preparing and Savoring Tea

Wakako Yamaguchi, IJCEE International Chado School

Friday, December 18

9:30 – 11:00

Seminar

Chado and Japanese Cuisine, Including Cha-kaiseki

Eiko Ito, National Licensed Guide-Interpreter

13:30 – 15:00

Seminar

Tea Utensils and the Craft of Their Artisans

Takuya Hotta, Culture Generation Co., Ltd.

All days · 9:00 – 17:00 (Dec 18 until 15:30) — Tea Utensil Exhibition & Culture Workshops. English descriptions and guided tours by licensed guide-interpreters; ikebana, calligraphy, origami and furoshiki workshops in the Culture Building.

Tea utensil exhibition in the Reception Hall

Exhibition

International Exhibition of Chado and Tea Utensils


With English Descriptions and Tours by Licensed Guide-Interpreters.

The Reception Hall in the International Exchange Building will showcase a wide range of tea utensils, from beginner’s starter sets to pieces crafted by skilled artisans. First-timers can also enjoy approachable tea experiences, including ryurei (tea served at tables and chairs) and nodate (outdoor tea). All exhibits come with English descriptions, and English guided tours by licensed guide-interpreters will run throughout the event.

Open · Dec 16–17, 9:00–17:00 / Dec 18, 9:00–15:30

An adjoining special room will host consultations on joining Global Chado Academy, as well as B2B business meetings with travel agencies.

Workshops

Japanese Culture Experience Workshops


Hands-on workshops will be held in the Culture Building, next to the International Exchange Building.

FREE All culture experiences are free of charge

Japanese culture workshops inspired by chado

茶道@桜花亭

Chado @ Okatei

Enjoy a bowl of matcha in Okatei, the tea room next to the International Exchange Building.

華道

Ikebana

Arranging seasonal flowers to express the spirit of welcoming guests.

書道

Calligraphy

Larning the meanings of the host’s messages written on the hanging scroll.

折紙

Origami

Careful handwork goes into sheets of folding paper as into each bowl of tea.

風呂敷

Furoshiki

In chado, utensils and their boxes are wrapped in furoshiki cloths.

Venue

Venue & Access


Venue

National Olympics Memorial Youth Center
International Exchange Building & Culture Building

Address

3-1 Yoyogi-Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0052

Access

7-min walk from Sangubashi Sta. (Odakyu Line)

Venue map of the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center

Organized by: Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
Operated by: True Japan Tour Co., Ltd.
In cooperation with: Institute for Japanese Cultural Exchange and Experience (IJCEE)

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