This workshop offers an introduction to the beauty and spirit of Korean tea culture through history, philosophy, and direct experience. Discover how tea in Korea developed not simply as a beverage, but as a way of cultivating calmness, hospitality, balance, and meaningful human connection. After a short exploration of the historical background of Korean tea and its relationship with Buddhism and Confucian thought, guests will experience a live Korean tea ceremony demonstration followed by an interactive tea and cake sharing time.

In this talk and live demonstration, Toru Watarai introduces ikebana as a practice that begins with observation rather than with imposing a predetermined form on plants. Looking at how plants respond to gravity, light, time and their environment, he explores the relationships between plant, vessel, space and viewer. Through a live ikebana demonstration and an extended q&a, he will show how looking, choosing and deciding become part of the making itself.

Two teas. Five senses. One slow hour. Step away from the festival and slow down around a shared tea table. We'll explore two teas from the same hills in Fujian: Bai Mudan, a white tea, and Bai Lin Gong Fu, a Hong Cha. Same plant, same origin, but transformed in completely different ways. Rather than looking for tasting notes, you'll be invited to listen to your senses: to see, hear, smell, taste and touch the tea as it reveals itself. And finally, something more subtle: what does the tea actually do to you? No previous knowledge. No right answers. Just curiosity, attention, and good tea. A small-group sensory journey for those who want to experience tea, not simply taste it.