Savour rare teas at this year’s Japan Tea Festival

From noon till 4pm, the Jubilee Ballroom at Four Points Hotel will see a hive of activity as the Japan Tea Festival makes its return on October 10.

Explore a good selection of Japanese teas from Uji (宇治市) in Kyoto, Shizuoka (静岡) and Kagoshima (鹿児島) as well as other gems from over 15 regions across Japan. Through a guided tasting at each booth, discover the depth and diversity of Japanese teas — from the refined elegance of sencha (煎茶) to innovative new expressions of matcha (抹茶) — experiencing their rich traditions and ever-evolving artistry.

Not to be missed is the highly-anticipated sencha ceremony performed by professor Sosen Nakai (中井霜仙) to showcase the art of obaku baisa-ryu sencha-do (黄檗賣茶流煎茶道; pictured above). Unlike the more commonly known matcha-based tea ceremony, this sencha ritual uses the flavour of whole green tea leaves and special teaware, offering you a rare glimpse into the refined artistry behind Japanese sencha preparation.

The festival features teas that are almost impossible to access outside Japan such as this Asagiri shizuku (朝霧しずく) from Taniiwa Chaho (谷岩茶舗) in Miyazaki (宮崎) — a kama-iri cha (釜炒り茶; pan-fired green tea) that won the platinum award at the Nihoncha (日本茶) Award 2024. Kama-iri cha is very rare in Japan, making up less than 0.3 per cent of all green tea production.
Another unique variety is the Saemidori (さえみどり) from Saikaien (西海園) in Nagasaki (長崎) —
an exceptionally rare green tea, accounting for only about 1 per cent of Japan’s production. This “Sonogi tea” is known for its gentle aroma, bright green colour, and smooth, natural sweetness.
Found also at the festival is the Mimasaka Bancha (美作番茶) from Kobayashi Hokoen (小林芳香園), which is a traditional tea made only in the Mimasaka region of Okayama prefecture (岡山県). Large, mature tea leaves are boiled in an iron pot, sun-dried, then sprinkled with the boiled tea liquid and dried again. This process gives the tea its mellow taste and distinctive roasted aroma.

Another festival highlight is the tasting of tea-based confections and experiencing how certain teas complement different types of Japanese sweets, specially curated by ABC Cooking Studio Singapore.

Entry to the festival is free but you are encouraged to secure your spot via online registration.