Kissako

Why you’ll like Kissako

Kissako offers a unique space for discovery, functioning as a contemporary interpretation of a traditional Japanese tea house. Operating across Brighton and Worthing, these curated experiences provide a welcoming environment where guests can explore the diverse world of Japanese teas. Each tasting is designed to be accessible and engaging, served with accompanying baked sweet treats in beautiful handmade pottery.

A Modern Approach to the Japanese Tea House

During the Kissako tasting experiences, guests learn what makes Japanese teas so distinctive and how to prepare each variety to achieve the best possible brew. Tea tasting naturally encourages social connection, making these sessions an excellent activity to attend solo or as an alternative gathering with friends.

For anyone curious about Japanese teas, Kissako creates tasting opportunities across a vast selection of premium loose leaf and powdered teas. The sessions help to demystify the sometimes overwhelming choices available, helping guests discover their personal tea preferences and sharing brewing techniques to enable everyone to recreate their own daily tea rituals at home. Friendly, social, and educational, the workshops lightly touch on Japanese culture as it relates to the traditional tea ceremony.

The Immersive Tasting Experiences

The core tasting experiences at Kissako are designed to introduce participants to the wonderful world of Japanese tea, helping them recognise distinct flavours, understand their preferences, and brew with confidence. Guests can choose to attend a single session or explore the full series.

One popular example of the workshops on offer is Flavours from Dawn to Dusk, a ninety-minute session priced at forty-five pounds, available in both Brighton and Worthing. This session provides an introduction to the world of Japanese tea with selections suited to every time of day, allowing guests to experience the rhythm of a day in Japan through the art of tea.

During this immersive tasting, participants explore a carefully curated selection of up to five premium Japanese teas. Each variety is chosen to suit a specific moment, from an energising morning start to a calming evening wind-down. Guests discover how flavour, aroma, and caffeine levels vary across different varieties, while learning simple brewing techniques to bring out the best in every cup at home.

The drinks are paired with delicious sweet treats inspired by iconic Japanese flavours, specifically designed to complement each tea’s unique profile. All tastings are served in beautifully handcrafted teaware, created exclusively for Kissako by Justine Jenner Pottery, adding a contemporary and tactile richness to the experience. By the end of the session, participants leave feeling confident selecting and preparing their own Japanese teas, carrying a newfound sense of ritual into daily life.

More Experiences with Kissako

Create your own tasting experience and discover the remarkable diversity of Japanese tea. £35 for 60 minutes – discover more.

Matcha lattes and more experience. 1.5 hours for £50 – discover more.

Japanese Tea Tasting: Choose Your Own Tea Journey

Meet Your Kissako Host

Kissako tea tastings are hosted by Julie Thomas, whose warm and welcoming energy ensures every session feels relaxed and enjoyable. As a highly experienced teacher, Julie guides each tasting with clarity, curiosity, and genuine passion.

Julie is a proud member of the Global Japanese Tea Association. Her formal credentials include the UK Tea Academy’s Teas of Japan and Tea Essentials awards, alongside their Masterclass in Advanced Tastings. With a background in culinary training and experience managing high-profile cafés in London and Bristol, she brings extensive hospitality expertise to the table. Her personal travels to Japan, which include experiencing both traditional tea ceremonies and modern teahouses, add authentic insight and first-hand stories to the journey.

Private Events and Retail

Beyond the public workshops, custom options are available for those looking for a bespoke experience. Private events can be arranged for special gatherings, celebrations, or corporate bookings by contacting the team directly via email.

For guests wishing to continue their tea rituals at home, the Kissako premium teas and custom teaware used during the sessions are available to purchase directly after each event, with postal delivery options launching in the near future.

The Essentials at Kissako

• Locations: Pop-up venues across Brighton and Worthing
• Experience duration: Ninety minutes for core tasting workshops
• Pricing: Forty-five pounds per person for standard tasting sessions
• What is included at Kissako: Up to five premium Japanese teas, paired sweet treats, and expert tuition
• Group dynamic: Small, friendly group settings suitable for solo attendees and groups
• Teaware: Served using exclusive, handcrafted pieces by Justine Jenner Pottery
• Private bookings: Custom private workshops available upon email request
• Shopping: Premium loose leaf teas, powdered teas, and teaware available to buy post-event