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Homecoming Matcha Café (Walk-ins Welcome!)
When: Friday, October 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Where: Japan House, 2000 S. Lincoln, Urbana, IL — Urbana, IL
Price: Free
Japan House welcomes all to stop by and enjoy a bowl of tea and sweet at the Homecoming Matcha Café! Walk-ins welcome!
Japan House will be open from 4-6pm for Homecoming on Friday, October 2. Please stop by and have a bowl of tea and sweet at the Homecoming Matcha Café and enjoy viewing the progress of the Ogura-Sato Annex. Walk-ins are welcome!
Catch up with fellow University of Illinois alumni, friends, or family with a bowl of freshly-whisked matcha and a wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) as you visit the inside of Japan House. There is no formal tea ceremony offered but guests will be able to enjoy a bowl of matcha (or matcha latte) and inoko mochi made by the Japan House interns. The recipe is featured in Prof. Kimiko Gunji's cookbook, Wagashi: Season by Season. There will be a limited selection of items for sale such as Japan House postcards, tea, and more. Proceeds support Japan House programming!
Guests will be asked to remove their shoes upon arrival to enter the building, or to use provided shoe covers. Guests are encouraged to bring a fresh pair of socks to wear inside. Ticketed cafe guests will be seated at a table.
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FAQs
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
Japan House is located in the Arboretum at the University of Illinois at 2000 S. Lincoln Avenue between Kirby/Florida and Windsor Road. Parking is available in the lot to the north of Japan House (F-31 at St. Mary's Road and Lincoln) and to the south of Japan House (F-32 on Lincoln across from the Vet Med complex). Spaces are marked with a placard and must be paid with Mobile Meter (https://mobilemeter.us/) or Park Mobile (https://parkmobile.io/ ) phone apps, or by calling 217-207-3033. Parking is free after 5pm.
There are bike racks near both parking lots. The MTD Raven comes near Japan House on Lincoln Ave but buses also service PAR/FAR and you may walk from there to Japan House.
The front door is located on the north side of the building. The Ogura-Sato Annex construction zone is fenced off in various areas and the tea garden remains closed. We thank you for your understanding.
Pre-order here.
Tickets & more info
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