I was invited by the City of Kitzbühel in Tyrol, Austria, to hold Chanoyu sessions over two days, July 19 and 20, 2026.
Affectionately known as “Kitz,” Kitzbühel is a beautiful resort town nestled in the foothills of the Alps. It has maintained a long-standing sister-city relationship with Yamagata City in Japan since the two cities signed their sister-city agreement in 1963. During my stay, I had the opportunity not only to hold the tea gatherings, but also to enjoy the beautiful townscape and magnificent Alpine scenery.
The two session on the 19th were open to the general public, while the one on the 20th was for children. I was delighted that so many people joined us on both days. After a demonstration of temae, I prepared a bowl of usucha for each participant to enjoy. They then had the opportunity to prepare matcha themselves.
Among the participants on the 19th were people who had visited Japan before, as well as some who were currently taking Japanese language classes. There were many questions about the spiritual aspects of Chanoyu and about matcha, which has attracted growing interest overseas in recent years. Their questions gave me a strong sense of their interest in Japanese culture and Chanoyu itself. It was a pleasure to spend a relaxed and friendly time together while answering their many questions. I would be very happy if the session gave them an opportunity to experience a traditional aspect of Japanese culture and to enjoy a moment away from everyday life through Chanoyu.
On the 20th, a lively group of children joined us. During the temae demonstration, however, they sat quietly and watched with great attention. Perhaps they sensed something of the atmosphere created by the temae. When it was their turn to prepare usucha, they worked enthusiastically alongside their friends and seemed to have a wonderful time. At the end, I was also presented with some lovely gifts.
This tea gathering came about through an unexpected connection. There were certainly challenges in preparing for it, but looking back, those two days became an unforgettable and wonderful experience, and I am filled with gratitude. Without the support of so many people in Kitzbühel, I could not have brought the gatherings to a successful conclusion. Once again, I was reminded of how precious such connections can be.
One of the organizers even said, “Please come back again next year,” which was especially wonderful to hear.
I sincerely hope that this wonderful connection will continue for many years to come.
Vielen Dank, Kitzbühel!
