If you are a big fan of Japanese tea and you enjoy the traditional ceremonial tea setting, then this guide is definitely going to be a good read.
In Japan, having tea represents purity tranquility respect, and harmony. This is a special time to be calm and enjoy some wonderful tea with your friends and family. Tea has been held in high regard in Asia and Japan, specifically, for an exceptionally long time.
We love Japanese tea sets as well as Japanese tea. We took a close look at some of the most interesting traditional tea ceremony sets that we could find available. In this guide, we will go over the top 6 best Japanese tea ceremony sets and make recommendations on which ones we thought were worth purchasing. By the way, if you are interested in Japanese food you may want to check out these sushi kits!
#1- Six Piece Japanese Cast Iron Pot Tea Set Black w/ Trivet (26 oz)
Our Rating:
What is it?
This is a six-piece cast iron traditional tea set that comes with a trivet and holds 26 ounces of tea. The pot itself is cast iron that has an enamel coated interior which makes it easy to clean and prevents rust from building up. It comes with four small Japanese teacups.
The set also comes with a stainless-steel removable mesh infuser. The infuser is used to place your tea in well it steeps inside the pot.
Traditional Japanese teacups do not have handles like you may be used to seeing in English teacups. If you are not familiar with a trivet it is an object that is put between the serving bowl or dish and the table, it is used to protect the table or countertop from heat. It is nice that this set comes with a trivet because that is an important part of a traditional Japanese tea set.
Key Features
- The pot retains heat and taste
- Enamel coating
- Comes with stainless steel infuser
- Can be used directly over flame or burner
- Includes pot cups trivet and infuser
The Teapot
The teapot is probably our favorite part of this set. It has a really interesting shape and is engraved with an interesting Japanese pattern all around the body of the teapot. It has the enamel-coated interior which prevents direct contact between cast iron and the tea inside. This allows the pot to retain the heat better and enhance the taste of the tea. Even the handle itself has an interesting design to it. It is smaller at the bottom and wider at the top which gives it a very unique Japanese style. The spout of the pot is short and wide like any good Japanese teapot spout should be.
4 2 oz Cups
The four 2-ounce cups that come with this set mirror the engraving design of the teapot which makes a beautiful matching set. These are small cups holding only two ounces of tea which is the traditional size for a Japanese tea ceremony. The cups are also coated with enamel on the inside to retain heat and enhance the taste of the tea. The cups are nice dark grey almost black color and are very solid and well-made little cups. You will not have to worry about breaking them through normal use. Any good Japanese traditional tea ceremony set will come with 4 cups as this one does.
Stainless Steel Infuser
The diffuser that comes with this set is much like other diffusers you may have seen with normal tea sets. It has a brim that will sit nicely on top of the pot and is made of a stainless-steel mesh. The role of the diffuser is especially important when making traditional Japanese tea. It allows you to use loose leaf teas and will also nicely hold tea bags that come in a box like you should be used to. any good diffuser will be made of stainless steel so that it’s easily washable and will basically last forever. The only weakness in a stainless-steel diffuser that is made of mesh is that these diffusers can easily bend. If you do end up bending the diffuser it can generally be bent back into shape easily.
Trivet
That rivet is a disc-shaped item that will sit between the teapot in the table. It has the same engraving design as the pot in the cups making it a beautiful match. It has a hole in the middle to help manage the heat.
Summary and Rating
Our Rating:
The six-piece Japanese cast iron tea set with trivet is our favorite out of the six sets that we checked out. The design of the pot and the cups is very reminiscent of traditional Japanese tea sets. The enamel coating in the cups in the pot is a nice touch and an added high-quality feature that enhances the tea ceremony. If you could only buy one of the sets in this guide this would be our choice.
#2 Bamboo Matcha Tea Whisk Set (Chasen) Matcha Bowl (Chawan) Bamboo Scoop (Chashaku) Ceramic Whisk Holder Handmade Matcha Ceremony Starter Kit For Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony (7 Pcs)
Our Rating:
Matcha is a Japanese green tea made of powder and is very delicate and needs to be prepared correctly. This bamboo matcha tea whisk set comes with all the items needed in order to correctly make matcha. Using bamboo for the whisk allows you not to bruise the matcha. Bamboo whisks are what have been used traditionally for making matcha so this would pass the authenticity test.
What is it?
This is a seven-piece set designed for making matcha the traditional Japanese way. It comes with a matchable bamboo scoop, scoop holder, bamboo whisk, whisk holder, tea sifter, and tea towel. It is an inexpensive set that is made with high-quality materials and is perfectly designed to be a gift for the Japanese tea lover in your life.
Key Features
- Full start-up kit that contains all necessary pieces
- Whisk and scoop made from natural bamboo
- Each bowl is hand made
- Whisk stand made of real ceramic
- Excellent gift
Complete Kit Containing all Pieces
This kit contains everything except the matcha itself. It is a fully functioning kit that comes in a fairly small box and has everything you need in order to start making matcha right away. Not only does it have the necessary pieces to make the tea, but it also has the traditional ornamental extras such as the whisk stand and the scoop holder. The bowl and the rest of the kit look genuinely nice but unlike the first set in our list, they do not necessarily match. This is not a big deal because the set is still pleasing to look at but if all the pieces were a perfect match it would have gotten extra style points.
Natural Bamboo Construction
The bamboo whisk and the bamboo tea scoop are hand made from natural bamboo. Normal bamboo that you find in most items is not as durable as purple bamboo which is what these pieces are made from. This added feature makes the scoop and the whisk much higher quality. These could have been made from normal bamboo and the set would have been just fine, but the fact that they are made from real purple bamboo is a great bonus.
Hand Made Bowl (Chawan)
Each bowl is handmade and unique. The bowl is ceramic and looks like many stoneware items that have been fired in a pottery oven. The bowl is a perfect size and the fact that it is ceramic means that it will maintain heat for an exceptionally long time.
Ceramic Pieces
The scoop stand and the whisk Holder Are made with real ceramic. The whisk stand is large and is a little taller than the bowl itself. It is white in color and will hold the whisk perfectly. This stand also allows the whisk to air dry. The scoop stand is a very low-profile little piece that sits under the scoop and allows it to air dry and stay off the table surface.
Great for a Gift
Everything about this set screams a great gift. It has everything you need to make much of the traditional way. The set comes in a small box and it is easy to transport or ship to the Japanese tea lover in your life.
Summary and Rating
Our Rating:
All things considered, we gave this set four and a half out of five stars. It is a wonderful set that is priced right and perfect for a gift which are big pluses in our rating. The only downside we saw to this cool little set is that the pieces could have matched a little bit more to have that additional style appeal.
#3 Artcome Japanese Matcha Tea Set, Matcha Whisk, Traditional Scoop, Matcha Bowl, Ceramic Whisk Holder, Matcha Caddy, Handmade Matcha Ceremony Kit For Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony (9Pcs)
Our Rating:
This matcha set is a direct competitor with our number two choice. This is a nine-piece traditional Japanese tea ceremony kit there comes complete with all the pieces. It looks very similar to our first choice with a few key differences that we’ll get into later in this review.
What is it?
This is a nine-piece traditional matcha set that comes with the whisk, traditional scoop, powder caddy, whisk holder, tea cloth, scoop holder, bowl, and powder strainer. All the bamboo pieces are made with natural bamboo that does not contain any varnishes or chemicals. The bamboo is finished with a vegetable oil finish to enhance durability. This set contains only authentic tea ceremony tools which are perfect for a traditional matcha experience.
Key Features
- Complete set
- Natural bamboo
- Authentic ceremonial tools
- Great gift
Complete Starter Set
This set has everything needed to have an authentic traditional Japanese tea ceremony experience. It is a nine-piece kit that all comes together in a nice box.
Natural Bamboo
The bamboo pieces contained in this kit are made of real natural bamboo and finished with nice vegetable oil to give it a longer-lasting lifespan.
Authentic Ceremonial Tools
The makers of this set took some time to make sure that each piece had that authentic ceremonial tea feeling. The set looks genuinely nice and will accomplish the goal of having a traditional tea ceremony.
Great Gift
This set would make a great gift for anyone that enjoys matcha. It is not expensive and comes in a nice pleasing package.
Key Differences in These Two Matcha Sets
- The previous set is a seven-piece set, whereas this set contains 9 pieces.
- The bowls in each set are different designs.
- The tea towels are different colors and have different embroidery. The previous set has a Brown tea towel whereas this set has a blue tea towel.
- This set is slightly more expensive than the previous set.
Summary and Rating
Our Rating:
This is an attractive looking traditional ceremonial Japanese tea set for matcha. It has all the pieces you need and comes in a nice package. We prefer the look of the first set in our list, but this is a solid choice as well for anyone that wants to experience the authentic traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
#4 Tealyra – Matcha Kit – Connoisseur Ceremony Start Up Set – Premium Matcha Tea Powder – Japanese Made Beige Bowl – Bamboo Whisk Scoop and Tray – Holder – Sifter
Our Rating:
This kit is another that focuses on the ceremonial aspect of having matcha tea. It is an attractive set with all the pieces needed to have traditional ceremonial tea the Japanese way. It has a different vibe to it than the previous matcha sets we have covered so far.
What Is It?
The Tealyra Matcha Kit has 7 pieces and also comes with some matcha tea powder. The pieces included are the powder, Chasen whisk, whisk holder, scoop, sifter, bowl tray. This kit comes with a tray where the other matcha sets had a towel instead.
Key Features
- Complete ceremonial matcha set
- Comes with actual matcha tea powder
- Matcha bowl is made in Japan
- Natural bamboo
Full Traditional Ceremonial Matcha Tea Set
As with a couple of the other choices in this guide, this kit comes with everything that is needed to enjoy the traditional tea ceremony correctly. As a set, it has a very pleasing aesthetic to it. The bowl has a nice stoneware look and the bamboo pieces look good sitting on the tray. This is a very nice looking kit overall!
Comes with Matcha Powder
This set comes with a packet of 50 grams of premium matcha powder. This is a nice feature that makes this kit all you need to have some matcha for the first time. The other matcha kits did not include the tea so this sets it apart.
Japanese Made Matcha Bowl
While this may not be a big deal to everyone, for the matcha purist it is a nice touch for sure. Each bowl is handcrafted in Japan specifically for the matcha ceremony. The bowl is also an attractive stoneware bowl that is easy to clean and looks nice with the rest of the set.
Natural Bamboo Pieces
Bamboo is the preferred material for the whisk, and many of the cheaper sets do not use real natural bamboo. The bamboo whisk and scoop in this kit are natural bamboo which gives it an authentic Japanese and high-quality look and feel.
Summary and Rating
Our Rating:
Although this is one of the more attractive kits in this guide, it is significantly more expensive than the previous 2 matcha kits. This one does come with one packet of tea powder, but that does not seem to make it worth much more than the others. We would have given this another half star but because it is so much more expensive than the other comparable sets it gets 4 stars. A very handsome kit with all you need, but more expensive.
#5 Hoobar Chinese Kungfu Tea Set / Portable Travel Tea Set with a Travel Bag Dragon Pattern (2 Cups)
Our Rating:
This is a cute Chinese style tea set that comes with 7 pieces. It is more suited to having traditional Chinese tea on the go. It has a very nice look to it and comes with a travel bag.
What is it?
This is a Chinese Kungfu tea set with a very Chinese design aesthetic to it. It comes with the following pieces:
- Teapot
- 2 teacups
- 1 tea tray
- 1 tea mat
- 1 tea clip
- Travel bag
The cups and teapot are textured porcelain and fragile. Traditional Chinese teacups do not have handles so they may look a little odd if you are not familiar with the Asian tea tradition. The pot and cups have matching designs are the classic bone white color. The tray and tea clip are wood and made to resemble bamboo. The travel bag has a cool image on it and some Chinese letter characters for added flair. It has a mini suitcase feel to it with zip closure.
Key Features
- Chinese design extremely cute matching set
- Small size easy to carry
- The teapot is awesome with a lion lid and dragon handle
- Comes with all pieces needed for a proper tea
Chinese Design Sensibilities
This kit looks very Chinese, with the dragon on the pot and lion as well. The carry case has traditional Chinese lettering on it and even the cups have a Chinese feeling to them. If you need your Chinese vibe fix, this kit will fill that need for sure!
Small Portable Size
The kit is exceedingly small and fits nicely into its carry case. Keep in mind the cups and pot are porcelain and can easily break so be careful when moving the kit around! This size is convenient for the traveler who needs a tea fix on the go.
The Teapot is Great!
The teapot is nice to look at. The dragon handle and mouth spout are a really special touch. The lid has a little lion for the handle which is a pretty design element. Overall, this kit is one of the prettiest kits on this list. The teapot will not hold a lot of tea, but it is only meant for a couple of people, which it will do that job perfectly.
Full Set Comes with Everything
As with the other kits on this list, this set is a complete set that has all the pieces needed for traditional Chinese tea. It does not come with any tea, but it does have a tea clip. This would be a great gift!
Summary & Rating
Our Rating:
This kit is not specifically for matcha so it is a class all of its own. It is for traditional Chinese tea and well suited for travel. It is a small kit made for tea for 2. The pieces are well made and extremely attractive to look at. It is one of the prettiest kits on the list but serves a quite different purpose than the matcha kits. It is very inexpensive, which is a big plus in our book! We really liked this little kit; it is unique and cute. Perfect for a gift for the Chinese tea lover on your list!
Yan Hou Tang 3 Colors Japanese Kungfu Ceremony Set of 6 Sake Teacups Ceramic Classic Drinkware Tiny Slim Small 45ml 1.6Oz with Black White Green Cyan Mix Style Traditional Handcrafted Gift
Our Rating:
This is a small set of 6 tiny sake teacups. It is not a full tea set and is only the cups. The cups are very little sake style cups made of porcelain and come in 3 colors.
What Is It?
The Yan Hou Tang Japanese Kungfu set is a set of 6 mini teacups that come in a cute little gift box with a ribbon handle. Each cup can hold 1.6 ounces of tea (or sake if you are getting adventurous). The cups come in black, ivory, and a light seafoam green color. All 6 cups fit the little cardboard box nicely and will not break if you keep them in the box when you travel.
Key Features
- Minimalist Style Design
- Durable & Functional
- Portable
- Inexpensive Perfect Gift
Minimalist Design
This set of 6 tiny cups has no frills or extra fancy features. The cups are simple with no writing or lettering or images on them. Only the coated porcelain cups and the box! You do not get much more minimalist than this set! Nothing extra, what you see is what you get.
Durable and Functional
The cups are nice and thick so normal bumps should not break them. That being said these are porcelain and if you drop them on a hard surface, they will shatter into a hundred pieces. They are durable in the tea ceremony setting, meaning they will not shatter or chip under normal careful use.
Portable
The cardboard box the set comes in is as close as you are going to get to a carrying case here. They could have easily included a more long-term carry case solution, but the manufacturer decided to save the expense. The lack of a proper case makes the set more affordable, which may be appealing to some people. We would have appreciated spending a few extra bucks for a better case, but the cardboard box should hold up for a while.
Inexpensive Perfect Gift
This tiny little Kungfu sake style teacup set is small and inexpensive. This price point makes it an easy gift to get for somebody just entering the exciting world of Asian tea ceremonies. It is only 6 cups and a box, which keeps the price low, but the look and feel of the cups would still make somebody happy to get as a present.
Summary & Rating
Our Rating:
This is an adorable little set of sake style teacups, which is hard not to love! The cups are well made and fit the bill for a traditional tea, but we thought the lack of carrying case or accessories made it feel a little lacking. If you are looking for 6 tiny minimalist teacups this perfect for you. We would have appreciated a little more effort in the packaging and design. Even though we would prefer a more robust kit, for what this is, it is well done and still a great little set that we would be happy to get as a gift!
If you like guides like this, feel free to check out our other buyer’s guides!
