TRADITIONAL JAPANESE TEA GATHERINGS
This is a special cultural adventure....but don't take our word for it; here is the Independent Weekly's review:

"For the most sublime tea experience in the Triangle, visit the Durham-Toyama Sister Cities Pavilion at Duke Gardens. Here you'll find as authentic a Japanese tea as possible this side of the Pacific. Nancy Hamilton, cultural programming director for the gardens, and many Japanese volunteers bring the traditional elements of poetry, philosophy and togetherness to the tea. They also don traditional clothing including tabi (socks), zori (sandals) and kimonos. Patrons sip green tea from Japan from a small bowl and enjoy one small yuzu, or treat. This is the second year the gardens have offered a spring and fall chado, or way of tea, and the events sell out. The standard cost is $30. For more info, e-mail Nancy Hamilton."  -- From the Independent Weekly, March 16, 2011

And here is a video clip by"Our State" magazine in Spring 2012! http://www.ourstate.com/videos/japanese-tea-gathering/

Each Spring and Fall, you can join these traditional Japanese tea gatherings at the Duke Gardens. The Fall schedule will be posted here later in the year.

With questions regarding the Tea Program at the Duke Gardens, including tea events, private tea gatherings, class visits (kindergarten through university), or the study of the Way of Tea, please don't hesitate to contact me through Toyama's Contacts page.

Best Wishes,
Nancy J. Hamilton, Instructor, Urasenke Tradition of Tea
Cultural Programming Coordinator
Sarah P. Duke Gardens

THE DURHAM-TOYAMA SISTER CITIES PAVILLION AT DUKE GARDENS

Check out the Durham-Toyoma Sister Cities Pavilion, located near the Iris Bridge, in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum of The Sarah P. Duke Gardens! The Pavilion was dedicated in October 2007 at a ceremony attended by a large delegation from Toyama.

LINKS
Recent tea gathering's photo and audio show: http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/2010/03/teagathering.html

Children sharing their haiku with each other at the Japanese Pavillion: http://sarahpdukegardens.blogspot.com/2010/05/fifth-graders-become-itinerant-haiku.html

Sarah P. Duke Gardens website: http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/duke_gardens_special_events.htm