A taste of Uji
Dubai’s cultural calendar is steeped in something special this January. Luxury tea brand HAIYATEA is welcoming Horii Shichimeien, one of Japan’s oldest and most respected tea producers, to the UAE for the very first time. The landmark collaboration will see a series of curated dining and cultural events unfold across the city, celebrating nearly two centuries of Uji tea heritage and marking a significant moment for the region’s tea and dining scene.
The Story
Founded almost 200 years ago in Uji, Kyoto, Horii Shichimeien is revered for its heritage tea gardens, artisanal production methods and exceptional ceremonial-grade matcha. This January, President Chotaro Horii will travel to Dubai to personally host the events, offering guests rare insight into the philosophy, rituals and craftsmanship behind one of Japan’s most storied tea houses. He will also prepare and serve the teas himself, an experience seldom seen outside Japan.
For HAIYATEA founder Haiya Tarik, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to authenticity and cultural preservation. The partnership builds on an existing relationship between the two brands and signals a growing appetite in the UAE for refined, non-alcoholic and culturally driven dining experiences.
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To commemorate the visit, HAIYATEA will unveil two exclusive matcha releases – Matcha Narino and Matcha Todou Mukashi. Available in collectible tins featuring bespoke artwork inspired by Japan and the UAE, the limited editions offer a rare opportunity to take home Horii Shichimeien matcha created especially for the region.
The Programme
Four distinctive events will take place across Dubai, each exploring Horii Shichimeien teas through a different lens.
Guests can expect an elevated afternoon tea at The Nest by Kraken, where matcha will be hand-whisked by the Horii family and paired with Emirati-Japanese desserts. Maison Dali will host a tea-pairing degustation menu, demonstrating tea’s role as a sophisticated non-alcoholic pairing, while Akira Back at W Dubai – The Palm presents a one-night-only modern Japanese menu built around tea-infused courses.
The programme concludes with a traditional Chado ceremony at CHI-KA in Alserkal Avenue, offering a meditative introduction to the Japanese Way of Tea, complete with handcrafted bowls and a curated display of artisan-made kimonos.
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More than a series of dinners, this collaboration represents a cultural exchange between Japan and the UAE, placing tea at the centre of contemporary hospitality. For Dubai’s dining community and tea enthusiasts alike, HAIYATEA’s hosting of Horii Shichimeien is a rare opportunity to experience living tea history – without leaving the city.
Image credit: @horiishichimeien on Instagram
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
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