A day to celebrate Afternoon Tea Culture

I have written a few posts about Afternoon Tea on City-cost in the past, but I wanted to share about Japan's quaint anniversary dedicated to the British custom. Each year September 3rd id Afternoon Tea Culture Day アフタヌーンティー文化の日 in Japan.

An anniversary not surprisingly created by the Japan British Tea Association. The reason September 3rd was chosen for the commemoration is because it was the birth date of Anna Maria Russell, the Duchess of Bedford, who is credited with establishing the custom in the 19th century. What began as her personal solution to long gaps between meals soon became a cherished social ritual among aristocratic women, offering a space for friendship, conversation, and a moment of calm in the late afternoon

More than two centuries later, afternoon tea still carries that gentle promise. It is not something we do daily, but in my home country of Ireland, Afternoon Tea is a very popular way to get a group of girls, sisters, aunts and other family members together for an indulgent yet relaxed time. Afternoon Tea has also become increasingly popular in Japan, with many hotels and restaurants offering elaborate, seasonal offerings.

However, the two best afternoon tea I ever had in Japan were the more authentic and traditional kind. One, at Rose Town Tea Garden, pictured, which I learned about from Genkidesu's review on City-cost, and have since added my own. Two, a tiny little homerun cafe in Kawagoe.  While the photogenic afternoon tea in recent times are often delicious, sometimes the original is the best!