Tanabata - Tea Ceremony / Fri. 03.07.2026

Tanabata – Tea Ceremony Experience with Soyu Mukai

A Night of Wishes – beneath the Tanabata sky, heartfelt wishes drift gently toward the stars.

A Bowl of Tea, a Journey Within. Discover the quiet beauty of the Japanese tea ceremony — embrace the calm of summer through matcha.

There is a quiet stillness in every bowl of matcha. A gentle moment that feels like a journey of the heart.

This summer, Haraiso is honored to present a rare tea ceremony with Urasenke Tea Master Soyu Mukai.

As summer night falls across Japan and the stars shine their brightest, Tanabata is celebrated – a festival of hope, heartfelt wishes, and quiet connection.

On July 7th, Japan celebrates one of its most beloved summer festivals: Tanabata, the Star Festival. On this enchanting night, the sky tells the timeless love story of Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair. Separated by the Milky Way, the two lovers are allowed to meet only once a year – on the seventh day of the seventh month. For centuries, this tale has touched people's hearts and given the Star Festival its enduring magic.

From this beautiful legend grew a tradition that continues to unite people throughout Japan today. Wishes are written on colorful paper strips called tanzaku and hung on bamboo branches. Reaching gracefully toward the sky, the bamboo symbolically carries people's hopes and dreams to the stars.

We warmly invite you to experience Tanabata with us through a traditional tea ceremony. Take a moment to pause, embrace the unique atmosphere and entrust your personal wish to a tanzaku.

Afterward, your wish will be sent to Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine in Kyoto, where it will become part of this living tradition.

May your wish find its way to the stars.

Rooted in the spirit of chadō (the Way of Tea), this ceremony invites you on an inner journey that transcends time and place, gently centering the heart through quiet, mindful movements.

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Tea Ceremony:

Date: Friday, July 3, 2026

Time Slots:

① 18:00 – 19:00
② 19:30 - 20:30

Location: Haraiso, Zentralstrasse 24, 8003 Zürich

Fee: CHF 45.- 

Capacity: 10 participants

Language: German 

About the Instructor:

Soyu Mukai

Professor of the Urasenke tradition, Tea Master Soyu Mukai began her practice at the age of 12 and received her teaching license at 30. Based in Zurich, she has shared the Way of Tea for decades both in Japan and internationally.
From 2002 to 2020, she led long-standing programs at the Rietberg Museum and the Japanese Embassy in Bern. In 2006, she established a dedicated tea room at the Rietberg Museum. In recognition of her cultural contributions, she received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation in 2019. More: www.chado.ch

Cancellation Policy:

Due to limited seating and high demand, cancellations must be made at least 7 days before the ceremony via email: info@haraiso.ch.
We regret that refunds cannot be offered for cancellations within 7 days.
In the unlikely event of cancellation by Haraiso, refund details will be provided.

An Ichi-go Ichi-e Encounter

This moment with tea — in this season, with these people — will never come again.
Come savor a quiet and beautiful experience of tea.