Saturday, January 24th
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11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
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3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Globus Washitsu
(889 broadway, NY 10003)
Price: $120
NY Seasonal Tea Ceremony
初釜 New Year Tea Ceremony 2026
Happy New Year 2026!
The first tea ritual of the New Year, known as Hatsugama, is a cherished tradition that celebrates the arrival of the New Year while preparing and sharing Obukucha (Good Fortune Tea). This auspicious tea has a history of over a thousand years and is made by blending matcha with umeboshi (pickled plum), black soybeans, and sansho (Japanese pepper). It is believed that drinking Obukucha brings health and prosperity throughout the year and helps ward off misfortune.
At this tea ritual, we will also introduce the distinctive utensils and rituals used in the preparation of this auspicious tea. Let us share a bowl of Obukucha together and offer our prayers for a year filled with health, happiness, and abundant blessings.
In addition to Obukucha, a celebratory kaiseki meal (tea-ritual cuisine) and sake will be thoughtfully prepared and served in honor of the New Year.
With gratitude, joy, and the spirit of shared blessings, we warmly invite you to this serene and elegant tea ritual welcoming 2026. Let us celebrate the beginning of a prosperous year together in harmony and celebration.
Dress code:
Western style clothes are acceptable. No sleeveless shirts, or short mini skirts. Please bring a clean pair of white socks. (We have some extra)
Please take off jewelry and watches.
Precautions:
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In the event of cancellation by the customer less than two weeks prior to the tea ritual, the ticket will not be refunded or changed to another tea ritual.
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If you arrive after the start time, you could not join the ritual in the middle of the ceremony after it has begun, as it will interfere with the ritual. Please be sure to arrive at the venue before the start of the ritual. If you fail to arrive in time, we will not be able to refund your ticket or change your ticket to another tea ritual.
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The images are a record of the tea ceremonies we have held so far. They do not show the contents of this tea ceremony.
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The staff will take pictures of the tea ceremony. Please note that the images taken may be used for publicity purposes at a later date.
Sponsor:
Globus Family / Nippon Cha / Ueda Soko-ryu
Friday, January 30th
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5:30-7:00pm
AREA New York
(172 Madison Avenue
#Commercial 2 New York, NY 10016)
Price: $80
Special New Year’s Tea Gathering: Hatsugama Invitation
We are delighted to invite you to our special New Year’s tea gathering, Hatsugama 初釜, where the timeless tradition of Japanese tea culture harmonizes beautifully with modern living. This unique event, curated by tea master Yoshitsugu Nagano, offers a fresh perspective on the art of tea. The venue for this elegant gathering is the exquisite space of AREA New York, adorned with high-quality furnishings and decor crafted by skilled artisans using natural materials from Japan. The tea gathering will be presented in a refined table-style setting, ensuring a welcoming and comfortable experience for both those new to the tea ceremony and long-time enthusiasts.
During the gathering, you will be served Ōbuku-cha 大福茶, a traditional matcha tea cherished for centuries as a symbol of good fortune and health. This special tea, with a history spanning over a thousand years, is crafted from matcha blended with umeboshi (pickled plum), black soybeans, and sansho (Japanese pepper). It is believed that drinking Ōbuku-cha brings health and prosperity throughout the year while warding off misfortune.
It will be accompanied by exquisite seasonal Japanese confections, embodying the spirit of celebration. This is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature and the changing seasons, while celebrating the start of a new year in peace and harmony. We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating this auspicious occasion and the beginning of a prosperous year together.