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The 3rd World Matcha Forum – “Matcha Connects the World” | Online Charity Event, Oct 31, 2026

THE 3RD WORLD MATCHA FORUM

The 3rd World
Matcha Forum

“Matcha Connects the World”

📅 Saturday, October 31, 2026　🕰️ 12:30–13:30 (Swiss time)　💻 Online

A single bowl of matcha can connect people across borders – that is the idea behind the World Matcha Forum. This annual online charity event is organized by Yoko Kinoshita (Sushi Yoko, Winterthur, Switzerland) together with Kimono Club Switzerland.

At the first two forums, the Wajima lacquerware artisans affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and the humanitarian work of the International Red Cross taught us that protecting culture and hoping for peace lie on the very same path.

For the 3rd forum, friends gather from even more corners of the world: Switzerland, Germany, the world of diplomacy, and a teacher from Plum Village in France who joins us all the way from Bhutan.

Each speaker shares their own “story of matcha and its homeland” through a quiz. At the end, we will whisk matcha together and share a quiet moment of meditation.

DateSaturday, October 31, 2026

Time12:30–13:30 (Swiss time) / 20:30–21:30 (Japan time)

FormatOnline via Zoom

LanguagesJapanese and English (Zoom interpretation channel)

If you cannot join live, we will send the recording to all participants afterwards.

PROGRAM

Program

Opening remarks

Ambassador Toshiro Iijima (Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland)

by message

Yoko Kinoshita (Sushi Yoko, Switzerland)Quiz time

Theme: The matcha scene in Switzerland, Germany and Peru (South America)

Instagram: @sushi_yoko_com

Ambassador Keiichi Hara (Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan / former Ambassador to

Djibouti)Quiz time

Theme: Unexpected links between tea, culture and diplomacy

3 Announcement of the quiz winners

Prizes will be shipped to the winners.

4 Whisking matcha together

We will use bowls made by the Wanpis people of the northern Peruvian Amazon

The Wanpis never yielded to the Inca Empire or to the Spanish invasion and defended their independence. Since 2015 they have lived under their own autonomous government.

If you would like to whisk along with us, please see: kimono-club.ch/en/your-first-step-tea-ceremony

5 Sister Trai Nghiem (

Plum Village, France / joining from

Bhutan)

Theme: Dharma talk and meditation

Instagram: @plumvillagefrance | Website: plumvillage.org

6 Cheers: Matcha × rice shochu cocktail

Live demonstration by Hayashi Shuzojo, Kumamoto, Japan

Hayashi Shuzojo, located in Yunomae, Kuma District, Kumamoto Prefecture, was founded in 1682 and is the oldest of all Kuma shochu breweries. Using their rice shochu, they will demonstrate a “matcha × rice shochu sour”, and we will raise a toast together.

Instagram: @gokuraku_hayasi_shuzo | Website: gokuraku-shochu.jp

Support: Toru Wada (shochu sommelier and architect) | Instagram: @ateliertoruwada

Ingredients

Rice shochu (recommended: “Gokuraku” by Hayashi Shuzojo)
Matcha (dissolve a small amount in hot water or water)
Sparkling water
Ice
Lemon or lime juice and slices, to taste

Tools

Shaker (a glass and a stirrer also work)
Tea whisk (chasen) for whisking or dissolving the matcha
Glass

TEAM

Management Team

Yoko Kinoshita (Sushi Yoko, Switzerland)

Sushi chef / table-style tea ceremony instructor

Instagram: @sushi_yoko_com

Interpreter

Yurika Yotsumoto

Interpreter and former Switzerland resident. She interprets the English channel.

Instagram: @international.lily

Admin

Mayumi Lehmann (Germany)

Spine-conditioning personal trainer / table-style tea ceremony instructor

Instagram: @mayumilehmann

Where Your Donations Go

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) | icrc.org

Wajima Lacquerware Commerce & Industry Cooperative | wajimanuri.or.jp

Affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake of January 1, 2024
The Wajima Lacquerware Hall remains temporarily closed for the time being
The cooperative’s temporary lacquer refining facility has been completed and is now in operation
Recovery from multiple disasters, including the Oku-Noto torrential rains, is under way
Donations are being accepted (bank transfer, QR-code payment and international remittance available)

Kuma Shochu Brewers Association | kumashochu.or.jp

One of Japan’s leading shochu regions in Hitoyoshi-Kuma, Kumamoto, with a history said to span 500 years
Protected by Geographical Indication (GI): only shochu made in the Kuma region may be called “Kuma shochu”
The association visited Geneva, Switzerland in February 2026
New this year, as support for the area affected by the Kumamoto earthquake

kimono-club.ch/world-matcha-forum – see impressions of the previous forums here.

Every small donation encourages the people of these regions and helps carry Japan’s wonderful culture into the future.
Over a single bowl of matcha, people from Japan and around the world meet and open their hearts to one another.
We want to nurture that connection with care.

The World Matcha Forum is run entirely by volunteers.
Your warm support gives us great strength.

From one bowl of matcha, we connect the world.
We would be delighted if you would join us in taking that step.

Registration for those living outside Japan:

Early bird ticket
Regular ticket

* Early bird tickets are available until October 15.

Registration for those living in Japan:

Early bird ticket
Regular ticket

* Early bird tickets are available until October 15.

Tickets are also available on Peatix: world-matcha-forum-2026.peatix.com

If you pay by card, your Zoom ID is sent automatically after purchase. If you pay by bank transfer, we will send it once your payment is confirmed.

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop Recap – Sold Out Both Days in Switzerland

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 ❤️

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop – Sushi Yoko, Winterthur Switzerland

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop Day 1 – Tea ceremony demonstration by Mayumi Lehmann — Day 1 – Tea ceremony demonstration by Mayumi Lehmann｜Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop – Japanese tea culture experience in Switzerland — Japanese tea culture experience in Switzerland｜Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop, Winterthur

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha and Tea Ceremony Quiz – hosted by Sushi Yoko — Matcha & Tea Ceremony Quiz hosted by Sushi Yoko｜Chibi-Con 2026

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop Day 1 – sold out, Winterthur Switzerland — Sold-out Matcha Workshop Day 1｜Chibi-Con 2026, Winterthur Switzerland

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop Day 2 – tea ceremony experience — Matcha Workshop Day 2 – Tea ceremony experience｜Chibi-Con 2026

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop Day 2 – tea ceremony by Rumi Farman from Portugal — Day 2 – Tea ceremony by Rumi Farman (from Portugal)｜Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop

Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop Day 2 – Table-Style Tea Ceremony Instructor Certificate presentation — Table-Style Tea Ceremony Instructor Certificate presentation｜Chibi-Con 2026 Matcha Workshop Day 2

🌸 Matcha Workshop in Berlin

Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a matcha workshop in Berlin for employees of a Japanese pharmaceutical company.

Despite the one-hour time limit, all 27 participants had a wonderful time exploring the world of matcha together.

I flew directly from Japan to Berlin and brought tea utensils and ingredients with me. The entire preparation process — from sourcing to shipping — was an incredibly valuable learning experience that will inform all my future workshops.

The theme of the workshop was “Sakura” 🌸 A quiz brought lots of excitement and laughter to the room. For the very first time in four years of running these workshops, we had a perfect score — achieved by someone who has been whisking matcha for 20 years! Truly impressive. The first prize was a Swiss chocolate presented in a cherry blossom-shaped box — a special gift perfectly in keeping with the sakura theme.

A warm thank you to Takako-sensei, a flower and kimono teacher based in Berlin, who supported us as assistant and made the session run beautifully.

My deepest gratitude goes to Franziska, who organized the workshop with such care and thoughtfulness. It was truly her dedication and attention to detail that made this event possible. Thank you so much!

I look forward to meeting everyone in Berlin again someday!

Sushi Yoko / Yoko Kinoshita

www.sushi-yoko.ch

Discover the Art of Matcha – Tea Ceremony Made Simple

Love matcha but curious about its deeper roots in Japanese culture?

Join Sushi Yoko’s online tea ceremony experience — no equipment, no prior knowledge needed. Just you, a screen, and the world of Japanese tea.

▼ Perfect for you if…

You love matcha and want to explore its cultural origins
You’ve been curious about tea ceremony but don’t know where to start
You’re looking for a mindful, relaxing hobby you can do from home

📅 Every Monday, 8:00–9:00 PM (Swiss Time / CET)

💻 Online via ZOOM

💷 CHF 20.- / 1 hour (beginner-friendly)

📩 Book your spot:

👉 Booking Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnKDBjqv9kLlVhjFizW9mTi2qy4ZFBGI2Vp-CWYPlp5FRoOg/viewform

👉 LINE: https://line.me/R/ti/p/@001ydprv

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushi_yoko_com/

👉 Instagram (kimono): https://www.instagram.com/sushi_yoko_kimono

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sushi.yoko

Kimono : Iro tomesode from Nobuo Nakamura

Matcha Experience with Sushi Yoko at Fantasy Basel

Matcha Experience – Hall 2.2, Stand 812

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!

👉 Book your spot: www.sushi-yoko.ch/en/events/cat/fantasy-basel/

About Sushi Yoko

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.

🌐 www.sushi-yoko.ch
📷 @sushi_yoko_com

Yummy Scrummy Stage – Matcha & Mochi Magic with Sushi Yoko at Fantasy Basel

About Sushi Yoko

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.

Website:
https://www.sushi-yoko.ch/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sushi_yoko_com/

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.

https://www.sushi-yoko.ch/en/events/cat/fant

tea ceremony to deepen your knowledge, and finish with a Mindfulness Meditation session to calm the mind

Mochi & Matcha Workshop at the Japan Food Festival in Zürich

Workshop moments | Zurich Japan Food Festival

Enjoying the matcha you prepared yourself

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.

If you are interested, please contact us at:
info@sushi-yoko.ch

You can also apply for our instructor certification course starting with a trial lesson.
Trial lessons are available online from 1 hour / 20 CHF.

📩 You can also contact us via Instagram DM (this is even faster):
https://www.instagram.com/sushi_yoko_com

🌸 We would like to bring Japan closer to people in Switzerland 🌸

🌸 Sharing Japanese culture with people in Switzerland for the long term 🌸

Hello,
Thank you very much for your continued support.

Today, I would like to share some important information about the **Japan Food Fest** and how I will be participating in this event.

① This time, I will participate not with sushi, but with a “Matcha & Mochi Workshop”

At this year’s **Japan Food Fest**,
I will be participating not with a sushi stand, but with a Matcha & Mochi Workshop.

▶ Event details and online registration

クラス予約

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.

▶ Crowdfunding page

https://wemakeit.com/projects/culture-in-japan-food-fest

A Japanese experience combining matcha, mochi making, and mindfulness meditation

Mochi & Matcha Class – Wednesday Evening

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.

Learn more & book your spot

Mochi making

Natsume (tea canister from Wajima, Japan)

Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction

Tea ceremony event in Osaka, Japan at May, 2023

It was like a dream: “The Osaka Tenku Tea Ceremony has ended successfully.”

Online table tea ceremony classes for a student in Japan on a weekly basis

The advantages of taking a table tea ceremony class course online are, You can take the course at any time and any place, You can also review the lessons as many times as you like on video, I recommend online courses, especially for those who are not good at remembering things. I can also provide tips and tricks for presentations and online classes during the course, I am confident in recommending this course to anyone considering instructor certification!