Members of the public were invited to attend the tea ceremonies on Saturday, before exchange students from Minokamo and their host families took part in the ritual on Sunday.

About nine ceremonies were held altogether with between seven to 13 people each time.

Dubbo Regional Council sister city officer Kylie Sutherland said tea masters Anthony Brien and Robert Davies came from Sydney to hold the ceremonies.

Winter tea was served, prepared over the charcoal in the tea house, she said.

“It’s a bit like the eastern martial arts where it takes a long time to learn. There are different levels, like judo, and lots of important rituals. The most important person has to be served first,” Ms Sutherland said.

The Japanese exchange students are always treated to a tea ceremony when they visit Dubbo.

It was very fitting, Ms Sutherland said, as the Japanese Gardens were a present from Minokamo.