The Sankei-en Grand Tea Ceremony (三溪園大茶会), a long-standing tradition at Sankei-en in Yokohama, returns for its 31st edition on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2026 — the first time the event has been held in 9 years. The tea ceremony was established in 1958 when the Sankei-en Preservation Society (公益財団法人 三溪園保勝会) was founded, in honor of Sankei-en's founder, Hara Sankei, who is counted among the three great tea masters of modern Japan.
This rare gathering brings together five schools of tea ceremony at one garden, drawing participants from all over Japan. The 9-year hiatus was due to a large-scale restoration project on the garden's cultural heritage buildings, followed by the prolonged impact of COVID-19. This year's event also commemorates the 120th anniversary of Sankei-en's opening, making it a particularly significant occasion.
Event Details
Dates: Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2026 (10:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
Capacity: 800 guests (400 guests per day)
Participation Fee: ¥18,000 (tax included) — includes entry to all five tea rooms, a light meal (点心), and Sankei-en garden admission.
Reservations: Advance reservations required. Telephone reservations open from Wednesday, July 15 at 9:00 AM.
TEL: 045-621-0634 / 0635 (Sankei-en)
Tea Room Venues and Host Schools
Seat 1 — Hakuuntei (Yokohama City Designated Tangible Cultural Property)
Enshu Tea Ceremony School (遠州茶道宗家) — Grand Master Kobori Soujitsu
Seat 2 — Rinshunkaku, Suminoe Room (Important Cultural Property)
Edo Senke School (江戸千家宗家) — Grand Master Kawakami Kansetsu
Seat 3 — Rinshunkaku, Tenraku Room (Important Cultural Property)
Urasenke Tankokai Yokohama Branch (茶道裏千家淡交会 横浜支部)
Seat 4 — Gekkaden (Important Cultural Property)
Mushanokoji Senke Kanagawa Kankyukai (武者小路千家 神奈川官休会)
Seat 5 — Kakushoukaku 楽室棟 (立礼席) (Yokohama City Designated Tangible Cultural Property)
Omotesenke Domonkai Kanagawa Branch (表千家同門会 神奈川県支部)
Meal Venue — Kakushoukaku 茶の間棟 (Yokohama City Designated Tangible Cultural Property)
Organizer
Sankei-en Preservation Society (公益財団法人 三溪園保勝会)
Supporters
- Edo Senke School (江戸千家宗家)
- Enshu Tea Ceremony School (遠州茶道宗家)
- Omotesenke (表千家)
- Urasenke (茶道裏千家)
- Mushanokoji Senke (武者小路千家)
- Yokohama Tea Ceremony Federation (横浜茶道連盟)
- City of Yokohama
Related Exhibition
"Hara Sankei and His Tea Companions — The Saito Kiyoshi Collection"
Shigaraki tea bowl "Jukushi (Ripe Persimmon)" by Morikawa Joshun-an, formerly in Hara Sankei's collection
Approximately 60 works are on display, many shown to the public for the first time. The exhibition features tea utensils from Hara Sankei's personal collection, handwritten letters, and paintings and calligraphy by tea connoisseurs (数寄者) who were close to Sankei.
- Period: Saturday, October 31 to Tuesday, December 8, 2026 (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; garden admission until 4:30 PM)
- Venue: Sankei Memorial Hall (三溪記念館)
- Admission: Free (included with Sankei-en garden admission)
