"When I drink tea I am conscious of peace. The cool breath of heaven rises in my sleeves and blows my cares away."

— Lu Tong

At first glance, tea and bathing don't seem to have much in common. But both begin with the same simple ingredient: hot water.

In one, it warms the body. In the other, it draws flavour and aroma from the leaves. Both ask us to pause, to pay attention, and to enjoy something that can't be hurried.

That's why tea so often follows a bath in Japan. Rather than marking the end of the experience, it gently extends it. The body is warm, the breathing has slowed, and a cup of tea gives you permission to remain in that quieter frame of mind for just a little longer.

The tea itself often reflects the season. In summer, chilled green tea or roasted barley tea helps cool the body after a hot soak. During the colder months, many people enjoy yuzu tea, a sweet citrus infusion traditionally associated with winter. Like the famous yuzu bath enjoyed around the winter solstice, it's valued not only for its bright flavour but also for its long-standing reputation as a comforting way to support health through the colder months.

Perhaps that's why tea and bathing have remained such natural companions. Neither is complicated. Together, they turn hot water into something more than a necessity. They make it a ritual.

Follow the quiet rituals.

The Yū Journal explores the traditions, flavours and design ideas that inspire Japanese bathing. Join our mailing list and follow the creation of Yū Bathhouse.