Edinburgh’s floating hotel Fingal is set to host an authentic Japanese tea ceremony experience on 1November, combining traditional Eastern culture with the venue’s signature afternoon tea service.
Urasenke Tea Master Mio Shudo will perform the centuries-old ritual in Fingal’s ballroom from 2 pm to 4 pm, dressed in ceremonial kimono. Guests will be guided through the graceful art of Japanese tea culture whilst enjoying a specially crafted Japanese-inspired afternoon tea menu.
The savoury selection features dashi broth with seaweed, yellow miso, chard, spring onion and tofu; tempura-style blue fin tuna marinated in ginger and garlic, wrapped in nori and served with soya dressing and wasabi, and seasoned sushi rice with smoked salmon rolled in toasted sesame seeds, accompanied by pickled radish. Finger sandwiches will be served in Japanese milk bread, including crispy crumbed chicken with tonkatsu barbecue sauce and cabbage slaw.
Sweet treats include mango sponge roll with Chantilly cream, cherry confit with matcha green tea mousse, and Adzuki red bean milk bun.
“It’s my honour to share the beauty and tranquillity of the Japanese tea ceremony aboard Fingal,” said Mio Shudo, who has been sharing Japanese culture across Scotland for over 25 years. “This timeless ritual is more than the preparation of tea — it is a moment of reflection, connection, and grace.”
An accomplished musician on piano, harp and Japanese Koto, Mio serves as resident pianist and harpist on both The Royal Yacht Britannia and Fingal.
Permanently berthed at Leith’s historic port, Fingal has established itself as a destination for fine dining, with its Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar holding two AA Rosettes. The venue, owned and operated by the team behind The Royal Yacht Britannia, recently appointed sommelier Judit Toomey-Kovacs as its official tea expert.
This winter, Fingal is also launching a Chef’s Table experience in The Bridge, the ship’s former command centre, offering tasting menus for groups of 6 to 10.
Tickets for ‘The Art of Japanese Tea with Mio Shudo’ are £80 per person. Book by phone 0131 357 5000 (Monday -Friday), [email protected] or www.fingal.co.uk/whats-on/the-art-of-japanese-tea-with-mio-shudo
