The Tea House and Roji

About the Tea House and Roji

Within Nitobe Memorial Garden, visitors will see an authentic tea house and roji. Tea houses are structures created for the practice of the Japanese tea ceremony, known as chadō or sadō, “the way of tea.” Visitors pass through the Roji, a garden that literally means “dewy ground,” on their way into the tea house.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

The tea ceremony is a meditative practice with roots in Zen Buddhism, but there is no overt religious meaning in the ceremony. Participants remove themselves from the world to enter a ceremony that encourages a state of being fully present in the moment, free from worldly thoughts. Roji are designed to help one enter this state by guiding one’s attention to the approach of the tea house and to the start of the tea ceremony. The tea house itself follows simple and naturalistic design principles—traditional wood sliding doors, tatami floor mats, and rice paper panels—that do not distract from the ceremony.

Urasenke Foundation Tea Ceremonies

To deepen their understanding of the Japanese culture, visitors are encouraged to experience the Japanese tea ceremony at the Nitobe Memorial Garden themselves. The Urasenke Foundation of Vancouver hosts tea ceremonies at Nitobe Memorial Garden throughout the summer. Visitors attending the ceremony can witness the formal preparation of tea and participate as guests.  

Information and reservations:

Fee: $20 (plus admission to Nitobe Memorial Garden – to be paid upon entrance)

To Book:

• Contact Keith Snyder  604 939-7749 krsnyder@shaw.ca
• Advance payment by e-transfer or cheque is required

Please Note: Socks are required – seating is on tatami mats (floor)

2026 Dojin Arts Tea Experiences

The Dōjin Japanese Arts Society offers visitors a guided experience of the Roji, which is normally closed to the public. Entering slowly along the meandering stone path, guests will rinse their hands at the tsukubai basin in the garden before being served tea and sweets in the intimate setting of the inner tea room. To ensure an authentic tea experience, participation is limited to 5 guests per session.  

Please note: Although the Nitobe Memorial Garden will open later at 11:00 a.m. on August 9 due to a private event, the 10:30 a.m. Tea Ceremony will take place as scheduled.

2026 Dojin Arts tea experiences will be offered on the second Sundays of the month from June to September, on:  

Information and reservations:

Fee: $55 (admission to garden is included)

To Book: Visit The Dōjin Japanese Arts Society website

Please Note:  Socks are required – seating is on tatami mats (floor)