Deepen Your Knowledge of Japanese Teas

Japan has a fascinating tea history and cultural landscape. From the popular green teas to the lesser known types such as oolongs, black and fermented teas, the world of Japanese teas offers a diverse space for personal and professional exploration.

In partnership with the Global Japanese Tea Association (GJTA), we now offers their Foundation and Intermediate courses in Vancouver where you can learn by hands-on experience. Taught in-person by Jan, representative of GJTA Canada West, these certification courses are developed by industry professionals for those seeking to deepen their knowledge of Japanese tea.

Japanese Tea Foundation Course

The Japanese Tea Foundation Course helps you build a solid base for your Japanese tea journey. It covers theoretical and practical concepts and provides hands-on experience. Topics include learning the history, cultivation and production methods, tasting and comparing various Japanese teas, and exploring different infusion techniques. Not only will you get to brew and taste a variety of Japanese teas, but the course will also touch on two different tea ceremonies - Senchado and Chado. There is no prerequisite for this course.

Japanese Tea Intermediate Course

Building on the knowledge from the Foundation Course, the Japanese Tea Intermediate Course delves deeper into topics such as Japanese tea industry, tea regions and variations in Japanese tea cultivars and production. You will also professionally taste and evaluate several lesser known Japanese teas such as Kabusecha, Tamaryokucha, Wakoucha and much more. This course will also cover tea culture to help expand your understanding of Japanese tea from leaf to lifestyle. Prerequisite: Japanese Tea Foundation Course certificate

Certification from Kyoto

You will be awarded a certificate from the Global Japanese Tea Association upon completing and passing the course exam. We’re honoured to partner with the Global Japanese Tea Association to bring their certified tea courses to Canada. Based in Kyoto, Japan, GJTA offers a first-of-its-kind and the most comprehensive program on Japanese tea for non-Japanese speakers. The program is divided into three tiers, with the final course only available in Kyoto and acceptance requires the completion of the Foundation and Intermediate courses.

Ready to deepen your Japanese tea knowledge and take your passion to new heights? Take a look at what the course entails.

Japanese Tea Foundation Course at a Glance

  • Learn

    You will learn a variety of topics to establish a strong foundational knowledge of Japanese teas. This include: history and origin of tea in Japan, cultivation and production methods, tea preparation and evaluation, and more.

  • Experience

    The 8 hours of training includes presentations, demonstrations and hands on activities for an immersive learning experience. You will also taste 15 high quality Japanese teas and use professional tea ware for brewing.

  • Date & Time

    DATE: March 15 & 16, 2025
    TIME: 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM

    Enrollment starts: Jan. 24

    This course will be taught over 2 days for approximately 5 hours per day.

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Japanese Tea Intermediate Course at a Glance

  • Learn

    Continuing from the Foundation Course, you will explore the Japanese tea industry, tea regions and variations in Japanese tea cultivars and production. You will also dive deeper into the Japanese tea culture and learn the lesser know tea types.

  • Experience

    Professionally taste and evaluate 16 high quality Japanese teas, examine different tea ware and tea ceremony utensils, and receive guided brewing practices during this 8-hour course. All equipment used in class will be provided for a hands-on and immersive learning experience.

  • Date & Time

    DATE: April 5 & 6, 2025
    TIME: 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM

    Enrollment starts: Jan. 24

    This course will be taught over 2 days for approximately 5 hours per day.

View Course Details
Jan - Japanese Tea Specialist - Teakan Tea Company Vancouver Canada

Meet Your Instructor

Jan is the Global Japanese Tea Association representative for Western Canada and Teakan’s Japanese tea specialist.

As a GJTA-certified Japanese Tea Master, Jan hosts workshops and lectures that blend tradition with modern insights, sharing the history, practices, and unique experiences of Japanese tea culture. Her passion for Japanese tea has led her to immerse herself in its rich culture, practicing Chanoyu with the Urasenke School and studying Senchadō under the Oubaku-Baisa Ryū.

GJTEA Tea Master Class 2023 Oct

About the Global Japanese Tea Association

Global Japanese Tea Association is a membership-driven, non-profit, non-governmental organization that aims to spark growth in the Japanese tea world through global education and collaboration.