Discover Kyoto Classes

Inclusions #

• 50-min Japanese tea ceremony experience

• Matcha

• English-speaking instructor

• Tea-making ingredients

• Seasonal sweets

An authentic tea ceremony at a Japanese home near Kinkaku-ji Temple, guided by an experienced instructor**.**

• Everything you get: 45-minute tea ceremony experience; entry to a tatami-lined tea room; English-speaking experienced instructor; matcha-making demonstration and tasting of your own hand-whisked tea with some sweets by the side, take a tour of the tea house and small garden with photo ops in a traditional Japanese setting.
• Why choose this: Learn centuries-old tea rituals in a calm, small-group setting; perfect for travellers who want to experience Kyoto’s traditions intimately.
• Upgrades: Wear a kimono during the ceremony and capture photos throughout the house with an optional upgrade.

Inclusions #

• 45-minute shared tea ceremony session

• Tea ceremony conducted in English

• Matcha preparation and tasting

• Introduction to tea ceremony etiquette

• Kimono dressing during the ceremony (if option selected)

What to bring

• Please bring your booking confirmation, either in digital or printed form, to present upon arrival.
• You must wear socks, as shoes are not permitted inside the tatami tea room.

What’s not allowed

• Guests must not engage in loud conversations or disruptive behaviour, as the tea ceremony requires a quiet and respectful atmosphere.
• Guests who arrive late beyond their scheduled session time may not be accommodated.

Accessibility

• Chairs are available for guests who are unable to sit on tatami mats, but you should inform the instructor in advance if you require one.

Additional information

• This is a shared tea ceremony experience conducted with other participants.
• The seating capacity may reach approximately 13 guests during high season.
• The tea room requires a calm and quiet atmosphere throughout the session.
• If small children become disruptive during the ceremony, guests may be asked to step outside in order to maintain the setting.
• Guests who select the kimono option must arrive at least 20 minutes before the session begins for dressing.
• For children under 7–8 years old who select the kimono option, a yukata will be provided instead of a kimono.
• The kimono option requires a minimum booking of two guests.

See Kyoto’s cultural heart, wear a kimono and master the art of Japanese tea ceremony.

• Everything you get: Choose from over 200 beautiful kimonos, with expert assistance and simple hairstyling included. Join a small group in an elegant tea room, learn the rituals of matcha preparation from a licensed guide, and savor traditional wagashi sweets and matcha. All utensils, guidance, and taxes are covered.
• Why choose this: Experience authentic Japanese hospitality in a welcoming, intimate setting, perfect for first-timers and culture lovers.
• Upgrades: Upgrade to the Kimono Tea Ceremony & Japanese Calligraphy Experience for a guided calligraphy session, or choose the Special Tea Ceremony with Maiko to watch an authentic Maiko prepare and serve matcha in a traditional tea ceremony.

Inclusions #

• Kimono set rental

• Simple hairstyling (women only)

• Tea ceremony utensils rental

• Traditional snacks (wagashi and matcha)

• Licensed guide

• All fees and taxes

• Japanese calligraphy set rental (based on option selected)

• Tea ceremony hosted by an authentic Maiko (based on option selected)

Exclusions #

• Transportation to and from the meeting point

What to bring

• A smartphone with internet access to open and present your voucher on the day of your experience (screenshots or printed copies are not accepted).

What’s not allowed

• Screenshots or printed copies of your voucher are not accepted; you must access the booking via the provided link and present it on your smartphone.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
• The venue is located in a traditional setting in Gion and may involve steps and narrow entrances.

Additional information

• Reservation is required by 12pm one day before your participation date.
• Your voucher is valid only for the specified participation date.
• Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.
• The experience takes place at Gion Orizuruya, 572-7 Minamigawa, Gion-machi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto.
• The venue is a 10-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station and a 7-minute walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station.
• Children aged 3 and above require a ticket.
• The experience is conducted in small groups (maximum 10 guests for the tea ceremony option; maximum 3 guests for the tea ceremony & calligraphy option).

Tea ceremony and kimono wearing in a historic Kyoto machiya.

• Everything you get: You’ll wear a traditional kimono with an obi sash and take part in a tea ceremony inside Nishijin Tondaya, a preserved 1885 machiya townhouse registered as National Cultural Heritage. Choose between a shared or private group session in this historic Kyoto setting.
• Why choose this: Experience tea culture inside an authentic Meiji-era merchant house, not a modern replica.
• Upgrades: Upgrade to a premium silk kimono for a more elevated traditional look.

Inclusions #

• Shared or private group session (as per option selected)

• Tea ceremony experience (Ryureiseki style seating)

• Regular kimono with obi sash

• Premium silk kimono with obi sash (if option selected)

• Entry to Nishijin Tondaya machiya house

Exclusions #

• Socks (please bring your own socks)

• Geta (traditional Japanese wooden sandals)

• Hair styling

• Make up

• Lunch

What to bring

• Please bring white socks, as shoes must be removed inside the machiya.

What’s not allowed

• Flash photography is not permitted inside the venue.
• Tripods are not allowed during the experience.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

• Kimono for men is available.
• Please avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing such as turtlenecks during the kimono dressing experience.
• This experience is available for both men and women.

Traditional tea ceremony in a 100-year-old Kyoto machiya near Nishiki Market

• Everything you get: Step inside a preserved Kyoto machiya townhouse near Nishiki Market and join a guided tea ceremony led by an English-speaking host. Learn the meaning behind the ritual, watch the tea prepared, then whisk and enjoy your own bowl of matcha with seasonal wagashi sweets.
• Why choose this: A small-group cultural experience in an authentic machiya setting where you learn tea etiquette and participate in the ceremony rather than just watch.
• Upgrades: Upgrade to a kimono plan to dress in traditional attire before the ceremony and enjoy photos in the machiya and nearby Kyoto streets.

Inclusions #

• Guided Japanese tea ceremony

• Matcha tea preparation session

• Traditional wagashi sweets

• Tea ceremony etiquette guidance

• Tea ceremony in machiya townhouse

• Kimono rental (based on option selected)

Exclusions #

• Hotel transfers

• Personal expenses

• Professional photography services

What to bring

• Wear or bring socks, as shoes are removed before entering tatami rooms in the machiya.
• For kimono plans, wear light inner layers that are easy to change in and out of.

What’s not allowed

• Avoid strong perfumes or fragrances as they interfere with the aroma of matcha.
• Late arrivals may miss parts of the ceremony introduction or instructions.

Accessibility

• Table-and-chair seating is often available for guests unable to sit on tatami.
• Historic machiya houses may have steps and narrow entrances for wheelchairs.

Additional information

• Sessions run in small groups with fixed start times so arrive 10–15 minutes early.
• Hosts guide the ceremony in English so no prior knowledge is needed.

Savor premium first flush matcha while learning tea culture in an easy-to-wear kimono.

• Everything you get: Taste exclusive first flush matcha, learn Japanese tea ceremony philosophy, and the differences between Japanese and overseas matcha. Practice preparing a bowl of matcha using tea tools and learn drinking etiquette. Easy-to-wear kimonos and Japanese snacks are included.
• Why choose this: Most experiences focus only on tasting or dressing. This one lets you try a kimono, learn about matcha culture, and master proper tea preparation.

Inclusions #

• Authentic Japanese tea ceremony

• High-quality Japanese 1st flush matcha

• Japanese traditional snacks

• Easy-to-wear kimono rental

• Tea Ceremony tools rental

Authentic 45-minute tea ceremony with matcha and seasonal wagashi.

• Everything you get: You’ll join a 45-minute tea ceremony performed in English inside a traditional machiya townhouse in Kyoto. Prepare your own bowl of matcha, enjoy seasonal wagashi, and learn the meaning behind the gestures and utensils used in this centuries-old ritual. Shared and private sessions are available.
• Why choose this: Set in a beautifully preserved house, this experience combines Kyoto’s charm with centuries-old tea traditions. Experience tea culture in a preserved machiya, not a staged studio setting.
• Upgrades: Choose from shared or private tea ceremony sessions, with optional all-day kimono rental for an added touch of tradition and photo-perfect elegance.

Inclusions #

• 45-minute tea ceremony experience

• Shared or private session (as per option selected)

• Tea ceremony performed in English

• Seasonal Japanese sweets (wagashi)

• Matcha preparation and tasting

• Optional all-day kimono rental (Flower/Annex only)

What to bring

• Please bring socks, as shoes must be removed before entering the tea room.

What’s not allowed

• Flash photography is not permitted during the ceremony.
• Video recording is not allowed during the session.
• Outside food and drinks are not permitted.
• Guests with interpreters must book a private session.

Accessibility

• Camellia Garden is wheelchair accessible.
• Flower Teahouse and Flower Annex may require stair access.
• Age restrictions vary by location; please check your selected venue before booking.

Additional information

• Tea ceremonies are performed in English.
• Optional kimono rental is available at Flower Teahouse and Flower Annex only.
• Flower Annex opens from March 5, 2026; maintenance closures may apply as stated by the supplier.

Rent a kimono in Kyoto with simple hairstyling and professional dressing included.

• Everything you get: Receive a full kimono rental set including kimono, obi belt, hairpin, undergarments, inner garment, sandals, bag, and tabi socks. Professional dressing assistance and a simple updo hairstyle with a kanzashi hairpin are included.
• Why choose this: Enjoy an easy kimono rental experience with professional dressing and hairstyling, perfect for exploring Kyoto in traditional attire.
• Upgrades: Upgrade to a higher-grade kimono and obi with the Deluxe plan and choose up to four additional accessories on-site. Optional hairstyling upgrades are also available.

Inclusions #

• Kimono rental set for the day

• Professional kimono dressing

• Simple hair styling with hairpin

• Kimono accessories set included

• Deluxe kimono grade (as per option selected)

• Extra accessories selection (as per option selected)

Exclusions #

• Premium hairstyling upgrades

• Optional kimono upgrades in store

• Late return fee after 5:30pm

• Next-day return option fee

What to bring

• Present your booking confirmation at the store on arrival for verification and check-in.

What’s not allowed

• Guests who have consumed alcohol or are pregnant cannot participate for safety reasons.

Accessibility

• Kimono sizes may not be available for every child depending on height and body size.

Additional information

• Kimono rentals must be returned by 5:30pm; late returns incur a ¥1,100 fee per person.
• Next-day return is available for ¥1,100, with items returned by 3pm the following day.
• Additional charges may apply depending on the kimono grade or accessories selected.
• Hair styling included is a simple updo; other hairstyle options can be purchased separately.

Make your own matcha in a 100-year-old Kyoto machiya.

• Everything you get: You’ll join a 45-minute tea ceremony meditation in a traditional Kyoto machiya at aeru gojo. Guided by an English-speaking host trained in the Omotesenke school, you’ll prepare your own bowl of matcha using traditional utensils and enjoy Japanese sweets in an intimate group of up to 8 guests.
• Why choose this: A small-group tea ceremony with direct guidance from an Omotesenke-trained tea master in an authentic machiya setting.

Inclusions #

• 45-minute tea ceremony experience

• Small group session (max 10 participants)

• Tea master trained in the Omotesenke tradition

• Matcha-making experience

• 1 bowl of matcha

• Traditional Japanese sweets

• Use of traditional tea utensils

Exclusions #

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

• Kimono rental

• Hair styling

What to bring

• Please bring your booking confirmation for entry.

What’s not allowed

• Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your scheduled time. As our space is limited, we kindly ask for your understanding that the venue is not suitable for eating.
• Bicycles are not allowed inside the venue.
• To fully enjoy the aroma of matcha and ensure a pleasant experience for everyone, please refrain from wearing perfumes or colognes.

Accessibility

• The venue is wheelchair accessible. If you will be using a wheelchair, we kindly ask that you arrive 10 minutes before your session so we can assist you comfortably.
• Staff can provide personalized assistance to guests who require support.

Additional information

• The experience lasts 45-minutes.
• Bookings are non-refundable.
• Kimono rental and hair styling are not included.
• There is no on-site parking; please use nearby public bicycle parking if needed.

Inclusions #

• 1.5-hour ramen cooking class

• English-speaking tour escort / host

• Food tasting

• Lunch

• Local taxes

Exclusions #

• Drinks