Nari Japan Fest is our way of connecting you to the tea makers and artisans behind the crafts you love. This year, we’ll be having double the fun, splitting up the festivities between WINTER and SUMMER. As such this WINTER Edition’s will have plenty of activities to warm the body, mind and soul.

Back again, our long-time tea producer friend Uyo Okabe and our tea farmer Jun Morishita from Fukuroi, Shizuoka bring their experience, knowledge, and love for Japanese tea culture to the Nari Tea Lab. Also returning this year is honored guest Toshiyuki Matsubayashi, the man behind the storied Asahiyaki Shop and Gallery.

This Japan Fest WINTER edition will kickoff with an Asahiyaki Exhibition Opening and Book Release Party for their upcoming “Archives: Asahiyaki 423 Exhibition” which is a retrospective chronicling the over 400 years and 16 generations of works by Asahiyaki, one of the most renowned kilns in Japan. This exhibition includes some prized pieces made by the 16th Hosai aka the current head artisan. As an extra treat, he will also be bringing many pieces in the exhibition that you can acquire, with a focus on teapots and tablewares.

As part of this Opening Party, we will be hosting Matsubayashi-san in dialogue with Kohsuke Nakamura of Common, moderated by Wesley Walters of Studio Kaksikko discussing bridging traditional Japanese crafts with modern audiences in the west.

We’ve got a whole lot of special events in store for newcomers and returning Japan Fest guests alike! Given the Winter theme, we’re introducing workshops covering new ground, such as our focus on low/no caffeine teas in the Diversity of Japanese Tea tasting, our Ferment Your Own Tea workshop, and CHAKABUKI. Many have asked over the past year, and we’re excited to say that the very special Rinkan Tea Sauna Ceremony (淋汗茶会) in collaboration with Kulttuurisauna and Murasaki is also back!