Kazuki Nakajima (25), Representative Director of Filia Inc. (headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo) and Director of the Japanese Cultural Heritage Association USA, has launched an 'In-Home Tea Ceremony' in San Francisco, USA, offering tea ceremony experiences by visiting participants' homes.

A scene of an outdoor tea ceremony at a Japanese garden in San Francisco, introducing the tea ceremony to locals

Bringing the Tea Ceremony into Daily Life

The In-Home Tea Ceremony involves bringing tea utensils, matcha, and wagashi (Japanese sweets) to participants' homes, providing a 60-minute tea experience.

Rather than asking people to visit a tea room, the initiative delivers Japanese culture directly into the living spaces of those interested, aiming to make the tea ceremony accessible and enjoyable for those who have never had the opportunity to experience it.

Japanese Culture in the Age of AI

The project is set in San Francisco, a global hub for cutting-edge technologies including AI.

Technological advancements have made life more convenient and accelerated the pace of society. At the same time, moments to pause, reflect, and connect with oneself and others are being lost.

Could the tea ceremony’s spirit of 'omotenashi' (hospitality) and 'ichigo ichie' (treasuring the once-in-a-lifetime moment), along with the quiet time to calm the mind, hold new value in the age of AI? This project seeks to explore that possibility through direct experiences with local residents.

A 25-Year-Old Taking Japanese Culture Global

Nakajima has been involved in preserving and promoting Japan’s traditional culture as Director of the Japanese Cultural Heritage Association.

He is also participating in the operation of traditional culture-related programs for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. His work goes beyond preservation, actively adapting Japanese culture to modern lifestyles and values for global audiences.

Through this project, by personally visiting local homes and directly engaging with individual reactions and feedback, he aims to understand the form in which Japanese culture is most valued overseas.

Future Plans

Going forward, the project will collect feedback, levels of interest in Japanese culture, and demand for ongoing cultural experiences through the In-Home Tea Ceremony.

Based on these insights, the goal is to establish a permanent Japanese cultural experience center in San Francisco, where people can continuously enjoy not only tea ceremony but also calligraphy, ikebana (flower arrangement), and Zen practices.

In the long term, the vision is to expand to various countries and regions, transforming Japanese culture from something 'observed' into something 'experienced'—a source of joy and enrichment in everyday life.

CEO Statement

"In an era of rapid AI development, I believe it's essential for people to pause, empathize with others, and create mental space. The tea ceremony is not merely about drinking matcha. It is a culture of being present with others and cherishing a moment that will never come again.

By personally visiting homes and engaging directly with people in San Francisco, I want to verify the value Japanese culture can bring to the world. I hope this challenge will lead to the creation of a new system for sharing Japanese culture globally."

Kazuki Nakajima Representative Director, Filia Inc.

Overview of the In-Home Tea Ceremony

Content: Tea ceremony experience conducted at participants’ homes Location: San Francisco and surrounding areas, California, USA Duration: Approximately 60 minutes Participants: Up to 3 people per session (for experience) Offerings: Tea ceremony experience, matcha, wagashi Period: Until September 15, 2026 Fee: Free Details and Reservations: https://japaneseteaceremony.netlify.app

Inquiries

Filia Inc. Representative Director: Kazuki Nakajima

TEL: 070-8324-9012 Email: [email protected]

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event