Finally, we couldn't write an article about drinking in Japan without including tea. One thing the Japanese definitely have in common with the British is that they love a cuppa!
For tea connoisseurs, Japan is tea heaven. The Japanese word for tea is cha and there are countless varieties ranging from classic green teas through to the more unusual mugicha (barley tea), sobacha (buckwheat tea), genmaicha (brown rice tea), umecha (powdered plum tea) and many more.
Sado (Japanese green tea ceremony) is an ancient tradition with roots traced back to Zen Buddhism. Literally translated as "the way of the tea", the ceremony involves the preparation and drinking of tea.
As with all Japanese arts, sado requires years of study and perfection to master. Sado is widely taught in schools across Japan and still remains a popular hobby today. It is well worth watching a ceremony if you get the chance. The strict etiquette, graceful movement and elegance in which the way the tea is prepared, poured and consumed is quite a sight.