Our Matcha Workshop at Chibi-Con 2026 was sold out both days! Mayumi Lehmann from Germany and Rumi Farman from Portugal led the tea ceremony. A recap of two days where matcha, kimono and Japanese culture brought people together across borders.
We hosted our Matcha Workshop at Chibi-Con 2026 — and both days were completely full! 🍵✨
On Day 1, we were honestly a little worried about the turnout as another festival was happening at the same time. That worry turned out to be completely unnecessary. The interest in matcha and Japanese tea culture was overwhelming — and truly touching.
Mayumi Lehmann, who came all the way from Germany, led the tea ceremony, while I hosted a fun matcha & tea ceremony quiz for the crowd 😊
On Day 2, Rumi Farman travelled all the way from Portugal to lead the tea ceremony 🇵🇹🍵
And I had the joy of personally presenting her with her Table-Style Tea Ceremony Instructor Certificate 💐
What started as an online connection became a real friendship across borders — united by a shared love of Japanese culture.
Tea ceremony, matcha, kimono, anime, cosplay — no matter how people find their way to Japanese culture, it brings people together.
From Winterthur to the world — may these connections keep growing ❤️
Drei wunderbare Tage mit vollem Haus und begeistertem Publikum – Fantasy Basel 2026 Matcha & Mochi Magie
I had the honour of giving a matcha and mochi presentation on the Yummy Stage at Fantasy Basel 2026.
Over three days, around 200 people joined us, and I am truly relieved and grateful that we were able to complete all the stage sessions successfully.
Before the event, I honestly felt nervous and wondered whether the audience would really enjoy the experience. But so many people came to the stage, and I was deeply moved to see how much interest there is in Japanese culture.
On stage, we first held a quiz show about matcha and Japanese sweets. From those who answered all five questions correctly, five participants came up on stage and joined us in making strawberry daifuku.
For many of them, it was their first time making wagashi, and the stage was filled with smiles and excitement. Each strawberry daifuku turned out beautifully and uniquely. The participant who made the best one received a bowl of matcha prepared by me. For many guests, it was also their first time tasting matcha, making it a wonderful opportunity to experience Japanese tea culture.
This project originally started as a sushi concept, but it developed into a matcha and mochi experience — something I especially wanted to share. I am very happy that so many people enjoyed it and that we could bring the charm of Japanese culture to the audience.
I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to Mayumi, Akemi, K-kun and T-kun for supporting me throughout these three days.
Most of all, I am deeply grateful to Martin, Tina, and the entire Fantasy Basel team for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
It is a great joy for me to continue sharing Japanese culture in Europe and connecting people through these experiences.
Next, in August 2026, I will be hosting Yukata and Matcha workshops at Chibi-Con in Winterthur. I look forward to meeting many of you again in a new setting.
Also happening at Fantasy Basel: Sushi Yoko’s Matcha & Mochi Magic stage show at the Yummy Scrummy Stage (Hall 1.1) — a fun, interactive 40-minute show with a Japanese culture quiz, mochi-making demo, and matcha preparation. Running daily at 11:00.
After the show, go deeper at the Matcha Experience in Hall 2.2 — a hands-on session where you’ll prepare your own matcha using a traditional bamboo whisk (chasen) and taste authentic Uji matcha from a 450-year-old tea house in Kyoto.
📸 Don’t forget to take a photo together with a beautiful traditional Japanese parasol (wagasa) — a perfect memory of your Japanese cultural experience!
Originally from Japan, Yoko has been living in Switzerland since 2005. Since 2007, she has been running sushi, ramen, and matcha workshops, sharing Japanese culture with over 10,000 people across Switzerland.
As a certified tea ceremony instructor, Yoko also teaches traditional Japanese tea ceremony — bringing mindfulness and the beauty of ichi-go ichi-e (「一期一会」, “one moment, one encounter”) to students in Switzerland and beyond.
Outside the kitchen and tearoom, Yoko is passionate about kimono culture. She actively promotes the wearing of kimono in everyday life and runs a kimono community in Switzerland — helping people discover the elegance and stories woven into every garment.
Whether through food, tea, or fabric, Yoko’s mission is the same: to create authentic, joyful encounters with Japanese culture.
Originally from Japan, based in Switzerland since 2005.
Since 2007, Yoko has been hosting sushi, ramen, and matcha workshops, introducing Japanese culture to over 10,000 people.
Dates: Thursday, May 14 · Friday, May 15 · Saturday, May 16, 2026 Time: 12:00〜12:40 each day Location: Hall 1.1 (Yummy Scrummy Stage) at Fantasy Basel Language: English & German
An interactive stage show where you can discover the magic of Japanese culture through matcha and mochi (Japanese sweets). Traditional tea ceremony elements are woven in, making it fun and easy to follow — even for first-timers!
Programme (40 minutes)
10 min — Interactive Japanese Culture Quiz
15 min — Mochi (Japanese sweet) Making Demonstration
15 min — How to make the perfect matcha demonstration (traditional whisking technique)
Special Prizes 🎁
The top 5 quiz winners will receive a free spot at the Mochi Making Experience
The person who makes the most beautiful mochi wins a free Matcha Workshop ticket
Matcha Experience at Hall 2.2
Enjoyed the show? Take it further with our hands-on Matcha Experience at Hall 2.2!
Book your spot and enjoy the full matcha experience up close.
Matcha Experience & Japanese Culture Workshop (Zurich)
An interactive and heartwarming Japanese cultural experience engaging all five senses.
At the Japan Food Festival in Zurich, we shared unforgettable moments together. Here is a glimpse of what you can experience:
1. Handmade Mochi & Tea Ceremony Quiz We begin by making fresh strawberry mochi completely from scratch. After that, enjoy our popular “Tea Ceremony Quiz” with 10 questions about matcha. In the past 4 years, no one has scored 10/10 yet 😏 You will learn about matcha cultivation and how to truly enjoy it – all while having fun.
2. 3 Minutes of Calm in the Middle of the Festival Amid the lively festival atmosphere, we intentionally create a moment to pause.
After preparing and drinking the matcha, we practice a 3-minute meditation together. Even this short moment resets your body and mind – making the matcha taste deeper and more meaningful.
3. Connection Beyond Language People from different countries come together and share the experience of matcha. Even without many words, a special connection naturally emerges.
Matcha culture is steadily spreading across Europe. Why not become part of it?
📣 Upcoming Event Our next workshop will take place on May 14, 15, and 16 at Fantasy Basel! This is a special opportunity at one of Europe’s largest pop culture events with around 100,000 visitors. 👉 More details: https://fantasybasel.ch
✨ Would you like to experience it yourself?
👉 Book your spot for the next workshop here: Book now
We look forward to welcoming you 🍵
📣 Staff Wanted We are looking for helpers for our workshop at Fantasy Basel (May 14–16).
The helping time is about 2.5 hours (short shift).
As a thank you, you will receive an entrance ticket worth 50 CHF.
For this special occasion, the workshop includes the entrance ticket plus a bamboo whisk (chasen) as a gift — a saving of CHF 30 compared to the regular price.
🍡 A day to eat, enjoy, and experience
At the venue, you will be able to taste a variety of Japanese foods, such as takoyaki and taiyaki, which many people may not have tried before.
Enjoy lunch at the festival first, and then join the Matcha & Mochi Workshop from 15:30.
In addition, I will also be singing karaoke on stage from 15:00.
It will be a fun and lively time that we can enjoy together.
📍 Venue & Date
The event will take place at Halle 550 in Zurich Oerlikon,
a convenient location close to the station.
📅 Saturday, April 4
🌸 During the Easter period
A lovely spring moment — why not enjoy Japanese culture and Japanese food together at the Japan Food Fest?
I am very much looking forward to meeting you at the venue.
Please feel free to join us.
② A request regarding the crowdfunding campaign ending on Sunday
This year’s **Japan Food Fest** is being prepared through a crowdfunding campaign,
led mainly by the organizer, Pia.
This crowdfunding follows an all-or-nothing format,
which means that if the target amount is not reached, all contributions will be refunded.
Thanks to your support, we have currently reached 80% of the goal,
but we still need the remaining 20%.
To ensure that this event does not end as a one-time occasion,
and to continue sharing Japanese culture in Switzerland for many years to come, your support is truly essential.
If you feel that
“You would like to support the Japan Food Fest” or
“You want to help pass Japanese culture on to the future,”
we would be deeply grateful for your support.
Our Tuesday evening class was a wonderful success! We began with a fun quiz about matcha and the tea ceremony, followed by making delicious mochi. After that, I offered a tea ceremony demonstration, and everyone had the chance to whisk their own matcha. Finally, we ended the evening with Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction, creating a calm and refreshing close to the class.
Many thanks to everyone who joined—your smiles made the evening truly special.
Would you like to experience Japanese culture, sweets, and tea in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere? Join us next time! A Mochi & Matcha class also makes a thoughtful gift. Personalized gift certificates are available.
Our Wednesday evening class was a wonderful success! We began with a fun quiz about matcha and the tea ceremony, followed by making delicious mochi. After that, I offered a tea ceremony demonstration, and everyone had the chance to whisk their own matcha. Finally, we ended the evening with Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction, creating a calm and refreshing close to the class.
Many thanks to everyone who joined—your smiles made the evening truly special.
Would you like to experience Japanese culture, sweets, and tea in a cozy and welcoming atmosphere? Join us next time! A Mochi & Matcha class also makes a thoughtful gift. Personalized gift certificates are available.
