[Nodate]
The other day, a friend of mine from Denmark came to visit me in Kyoto. She loves Japanese culture and tea, so I offered her a “nodate” (outdoor tea ceremony) at the Kamogawa River, which she greatly enjoyed.
Nodate means making and drinking matcha (powdered green tea) outdoors while enjoying the seasonal scenery and fresh air. Unlike tea ceremonies, where etiquette and utensils are more important, nodate is a casual way to enjoy tea, much like having a picnic. For this event, we prepared a chasen (tea whisk), chashaku (tea ladle), matcha bowl, matcha, sweets, a water bottle filled with hot water, and wet wipes. You will need a chasen to make matcha, but you can substitute a spoon for the chashaku and a bowl for the matcha bowl.
In Kyoto, there are many famous water springs in the city, and this time I drew “Nishiki no mizu,” which flows under the Nishiki Market, and used it to make matcha. The matcha was “Uji Mukashi” from “Horii Shichimeien” in Uji, and the sweets were spring-like fresh sweets from “Kyo-gashishi Murasakino Gensui” in Murasakino. Nodate is a great way to casually enjoy local sweets and spring water while savoring the nature and atmosphere of the area.
On a pleasant day with beautiful fresh green leaves, we bought sweets in Murasakino and went to the lawn along the Kamo River near Kitaoji Bridge. This area is relaxing and a great place for nodate. The matcha Set at Susumuya was perfect for nodate because once the matcha is prepared in the Matcha Matakuchi and poured into the Matcha Guinomi, multiple people can drink the same amount of matcha at the same temperature, thickness, and timing. The fact that the small and large Matcha Guinomi can be nested together was also great because I brought them wrapped in a furoshiki cloth, making them compact and easy to carry around.
After nodate, we took a walk at the Kyoto Botanical Garden, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, just a short walk away. My first nodate experience was a rich one, as I was able to experience the season and the place I am in with all my senses. It made me want to try nodate in other places in Kyoto, and I also want to bring a nodate set with me when I travel. Someday, I would like to try nodate in other countries as well. I feel it would be the ultimate cultural exchange. This season, when there are many nodate days, I encourage everyone to go out and try nodate.
Susumuya's Matcha Set
https://www.shokunin.com/en/susumuya/matcha.html
Nishiki no mizu
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Z7aeDmEVYBVok7mL9
Horii Shichimeien
https://maps.app.goo. gl/dmEMUuasCN3fBuGs6
Kyo-gashishi Murasakino Gensui
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bDMQNBCpBN33b3Kg6
Kitaoji Bridge (Kamo River)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YeABaDrubGPdcMmK9
Kyoto Botanical Garden
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zb8iEMBpG3cVjJ3z8
References
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%87%8E%E7%82%B9
https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/koho/dayori/202401/anniv.html
