A culture of tea

Tea has been integral to Japanese culture for nearly 1,000 years, brought over from China as early as the 8th Century for the elite royal and religious classes to enjoy.

But it wasn’t until the 12th Century that it took off in earnest, thanks to Buddhist monk Eisai – considered the founder of Japanese green tea – who planted tea plants from China around monasteries and published a book on its medicinal benefits. Eisai was also responsible for bringing the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism to Japan; his integration of the zen spirit with the preparation of tea laid the groundwork for the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

Today, tea remains an important part of everyday life for Japanese people, often sipped in the morning or on an afternoon break, served to guests, or used to give a boost when feeling unwell. There’s a strong belief in tea’s curative properties and its ability to bring good health.