Zen Tea & Sound

For one weekend only, The Stargate welcomes Marika Koguchi, travelling to Amsterdam, for a special Zen Tea & Sound Ceremony created in collaboration with Stacey of Shift Meditation and founder of The Stargate.

This intimate gathering brings together the contemplative traditions of Japanese tea culture with immersive meditation and sound. Throughout the ceremony, guests will be served hojicha, a roasted Japanese green tea, and okashi (traditional sweets), creating a sensory journey that unfolds through tea, sound, and shared silence.

Marika's practice is rooted in a lifelong relationship with Zen traditions. Her path began at 5 years old through Zen Do Ryu, a martial arts lineage emphasizing the integration of mind, body, and spirit, where meditation formed the foundation of every training session. She is also a practitioner of Chado, the traditional Japanese Way of Tea, a discipline devoted to cultivating awareness through practice and guided by the principles of Wa, Kei, Sei, and Jaku - Harmony, Respect, Purity, and Tranquility. This tradition has been passed down through her grandmother's lineage.

Over the years, Marika has deepened her studies through practice at Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, and monasteries throughout Japan, exploring traditions that honour ritual, mindfulness, and a profound relationship with nature and the present moment.

As a visiting guest at The Stargate, Marika brings these traditions to Amsterdam for a rare ceremonial experience. Together with Stacey, she will create a space where tea, meditation, and sound become pathways into deeper presence.

To preserve the intimate nature of the ceremony, attendance is limited. There will be two consecutive editions offered throughout the evening, allowing a small number of participants to experience the gathering in a more personal setting.