[Fully Booked] A New Spot Opens in Himeji Offering a New Experience of 'Chakabuki,' a Traditional Entertainment Continuing Since the Kamakura Period! A 'Tea Tasting' Game Produced by a 6th Dan Tea Master.

On Friday, April 3, 2026, the experiential tea house 'Shirasagi Sabo' (Location: 19 Shinobumachi, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture; Representative: Yoshiyuki Akamatsu (6th Dan Tea Master)) will open in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture.

"Tea Refugees in Himeji"

I was born into a family that has run a long-established tea shop in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture for nearly 80 years. While working there, I witnessed the current state of the tea industry firsthand. There are now only two long-established tea shops left in Himeji, and looking at the tea industry as a whole, the number of farmers has decreased by more than 23% compared to 20 years ago. ("Situation surrounding tea" https://www.maff.go.jp/j/seisan/tokusan/cha/attach/pdf/ocha-155.pdf)

However, customers who visit the shop often say, "There's no place nearby where I can buy tea or learn about it," and come from far away. To allow these "tea refugees" to enjoy tea more easily and to ensure the sustainability of the Japanese tea industry, I focused on "Chakabuki."

What is Chakabuki?

It is a type of tea tasting (kikicha) that has continued since the Kamakura period. It was enjoyed as entertainment, but in the Muromachi period, its gambling aspect became stronger, and it was prohibited by the Kenmu Shikimoku (Kenmu Code).

However, it continued to evolve and has survived to the present day, becoming one of the events in the "National Tea Appraisal Skills Competition," which has been held for over 70 years.

We have customized the version performed at the "National Tea Appraisal Skills Competition" so that even beginners can enjoy it.

About the Experience at Shirasagi Sabo

Our reservation-only workshops will feature "Chakabuki" and "Limited-Time Menu Drink Comparisons."

Additionally, for ease of access for everyone, our in-store cafe can be used without a reservation.

(Reservations are required only from Friday, April 3 to Sunday, April 5. Over 60 people have already made reservations, and we are fully booked.)

For those who want to delve deeper into the world of tea, we will host a collaborative event featuring Rui Nishi, who achieved the unprecedented feat of winning both the "Encha Championship" and the "NIHONCHA BREWERS CHAMPIONSHIP."

You will experience how the taste of tea changes depending on the brewer.

【Event Details】

・Reservation required

・Date: Saturday, April 18. You can choose from the following three time slots:

　① 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

　② 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

　③ 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

・Price: 4,000 yen (tax included)

・Content:

　◯ Mr. Nishi and Representative Akamatsu will each brew Shirasagi Sabo's "Green Tea, Oolong Tea, and Black Tea."

　◯ Mr. Nishi will brew selected teas using his original methods.

　◯ Includes three types of tea sweets (Matcha lemon cake, candied pistachios and cashews).

Message from the Representative

Even when I was working in the family business, I often heard people say, "There are no tea shops in Himeji."

On the other hand, I also felt the "demand and appeal for tea." Workshops held at the family business attracted people from far away who were eager to learn about tea.

Furthermore, I myself had little knowledge of tea and was practically a beginner until I returned to the family business. That's why I understand the points that concern such people.

Based on the concept of "increasing the number of people who can enjoy the diversity of tea" in Himeji, a region not known for tea production, we will create a shop that many people can enjoy.

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