The Japanese tea ceremony, also called the Way of Tea, is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered green tea. In Japanese, it is called chanoyu (茶の湯) or chadō (茶道; also pronounced sadō^?). The manner in which it is performed, or the art of its performance, is called otemae (お手前; お点前^?). Zen Buddhism was a primary influence in the development of the tea ceremony.

Tea gatherings are classified as chakai (茶会^?) or chaji (茶事^?). A chakai is a relatively simple course of hospitality that includes confections, thin tea (薄茶, usucha^?), and perhaps a light meal. A chaji is a much more formal gathering, usually including a full-course kaiseki meal followed by confections, thick tea (濃茶, koicha^?), and thin tea. A chaji can last up to four hours.