Nakagawa, one of Japan’s most revered custodians of traditional heritage craft since 1716, will bring its centuries-old artisanal culture to London this winter with a special series of workshops and Japanese Matcha Tea Ceremonies taking place from 29th November to 7th December 2025.
Following the success of its Shoreditch pop-up store earlier this year, Nakagawa returns with an intimate programme celebrating the art of Japanese tea-whisk making and the ritual of the Matcha Tea Ceremony, inviting London audiences to experience living traditions passed down through generations.
At the heart of the event is Master Craftsman Tango Tanimura, 20th-generation head of the Tanimura family from Takayama, Nara Prefecture. For nearly 500 years, his family has produced the finely crafted chasen (tea whisk), an indispensable tool in the Matcha Tea Ceremony.
Guests will have a rare opportunity to observe this centuries-old craft at a dedicated tea-whisk-making masterclass hosted by Tanimura himself. The masterclass will run on 6 and 7 December at Yorkton Workshops, 1–3 Yorkton Street, East London (E2 8NH). All workshop sessions and Matcha Tea Ceremonies are open to the public. To secure a place, click here.
Studio
Once Victorian stables, Yorkton Workshops restored by design studio Pearson Lloyd, is now an industrial-heritage studio and event space filled with original character. Polished concrete, timber ceilings and abundant natural light provide the perfect backdrop for this intimate craft experience.
Complementing the workshop, traditional Matcha Tea Ceremonies will take place across London at Yorkton Workshop and at Niwaki on Chiltern Street, Marylebone. The Matcha Tea Ceremony at Niwaki, London will take place on 29th November, running from 12 pm to 4 pm, coinciding with the Chiltern Street Christmas Shopping Day. In addition to this, Tokyobike will host a day on 3rd December in their Shoreditch showroom. Each tea-ceremony session lasts 30 minutes, led by an accredited Japanese Tea Master, and is designed for 6–8 guests, with up to four sessions daily.
Nakagawa continues to embody its philosophy of “preservation through transformation”, combining centuries-old techniques with contemporary relevance. Through these London events, the brand invites guests to discover how traditional craft can enrich modern living through simplicity and intention.
EVENT DETAILS
Dates: 29th November – 7th December 2025
Workshop venue: Yorkton Workshop, 1-3 Yorkton Street, East London (E2 8NH). Masterclasses running from 6th & 7th December — Tea Whisk Making with Master Tango Tanimura. Pre booking required. click here
Matcha Tea Ceremony venues across London:
Niwaki, Chiltern Street, Marylebone. 29th November | 12pm – 5pm part of Chiltern Street Christmas Shopping Day. No booking required
Tokyobikes, Shoreditch. 3 December | All day. No booking required
Yorkton Workshop, East London. 6th & 7th December | 12.30pm – 3pm daily. No booking required
All sessions open to the public. Bookings: To secure a place, please click here
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