In 2022, the East-West Chanoyu Center (EWCC) leased a suite in the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW), home to the historic Seattle Japanese Language School. The JCCCW has been a central hub for Japanese culture and heritage since the early 20th century, and EWCC is honored to share the rich tradition of Chanoyu with the JCCCW community and beyond. Construction of the new tearooms began in September 2022.

In 2023, the East-West Chanoyu Center (EWCC) installed a 8-tatami mat room, a 4.5 tatami mat room, a galley kitchen, a foyer and and an attic, and in July resumed its tea classes and activities.

The Zuishin’an tearooms proudly stand as the first public tearooms in the Pacific Northwest to offer year-round access to interactive tea ceremonies, workshops, and classes for both one-time audiences and dedicated tea practitioners.

Throughout the year, EWCC hosts a variety of ongoing programs for both the public and members:

  • Public Tearoom Tours: Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00-2:00 PM

  • Public and Member Four Seasons Tea Ceremonies: January, May, November

  • Chanoyu Classes: Introductory through Advanced, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

  • Chanoyu Shichijikishi (Ensemble Tea Classes): Third Sunday of the month, 2:00 PM

  • Chaji (Student-Led Tea Gatherings): Spring, summer, and fall

  • Interactive Tea Gatherings for Private Parties: Friday or Saturday evenings, from 5:30 PM by reservation

  • Matcha Workshops: Second Saturday of the month, 2:00 PM

  • Kimono Kitsuke Workshops: Available by appointment

  • Chabana Workshop “Flowers for the Tearoom”: tentatively October 3, 2026

How You Can Help

“The heart that gives, gathers.” – Tao Te Ching

The East-West Chanoyu Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all contributions qualify as charitable deductions. EWCC’s EIN is 91-1303408. Donations can be made via Zelle to 206.328.6018 or by check to EWCC c/o JCCCW, 1414 S. Weller Street, Seattle, WA 98144.

EWCC sustains its programs through a combination of activities and grants, all while keeping overhead costs low. Thanks to your generous support, the first phase of the tearooms' construction is now complete. However, the tearooms still require the expertise of a skilled Japanese-style carpenter to complete essential details such as framing the tatami mats, constructing the two tokonoma, installing sliding shoji doors and railings, and more. We are excited to share that King County 4Culture has awarded EWCC a matching grant of $25,000 to help complete the tearooms. Thank you again for your continued support!

We acknowledge the generous support of King County 4Culture in ‘Building for Equity’ funding for the tearoom construction, as well as ‘Arts Sustained’ support for programs throughout the year.