Sip centuries-old Japanese traditions in the heart of a M’sian rainforest

At Berjaya Hills' Japanese teahouse, visitors can experience one of Japan's most enduring cultural traditions without leaving Malaysia. (Bernama pic)BENTONG: A traditional Japanese tea ceremony is perhaps the last thing visitors would expect to find in a Malaysian tropical rainforest.But tucked away at Berjaya Hills in Bukit Tinggi, Pahang is a Japanese garden and teahouse that offer just that.Here, guests are invited to experience centuries-old customs surrounded by cool mountain air, towering trees and lush greenery, where flowing water and stone pathways evoke the calm of a traditional Japanese retreat."This is the first Japanese teahouse in a tropical forest," said manager Chan Lai Chean, noting that the blend of Japanese cultural heritage and Malaysia's rainforest landscape has made the teahouse one of the country's more distinctive cultural attractions.Visitors can enjoy freshly whisked matcha or take part in a traditional tea ceremony conducted according to the Omotesenke school, one of Japan's three principal tea-ceremony traditions.Those participating in the ceremony are first welcomed into a waiting room while the host prepares for the ritual, which centres on the careful preparation and serving of matcha.Every movement is performed with intention, reflecting a tradition that values mindfulness, respect, and the connection between host and guest.Guests begin by performing a traditional purification ritual, rinsing their hands at a stone water basin before entering the Japanese tea garden. (Bernama pic)Each session is limited to four or five participants, allowing everyone to observe the ceremony from start to finish in an intimate setting.Authenticity, Chan said, was a priority when creating the teahouse.

The surrounding garden was designed by a Japanese architect, while the teahouse itself was built using materials imported from Japan.Perched about 1,066m above sea level, the attraction combines traditional aesthetics from the Land of the Rising Sun with the cool climate of Bukit Tinggi."In Japan, there are four seasons; here, you experience Japanese culture surrounded by tropical greenery. The contrast is what makes it special," Chan added.The tea ceremony, meanwhile, offers visitors more than an opportunity to drink matcha. According to Yamamoto Rie from Omotesenke Kuala Lumpur, the ceremony introduces the philosophy and etiquette behind one of…