Tea Ceremony Experience in Kyoto

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.

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.

Learn matcha-making from a Maiko and enjoy live dance performances in Kyoto

• Everything you get: A Maiko hosts a traditional tea ceremony and answers questions about Maiko life and culture. Enjoy matcha whisking, two sweets and a Senjafuda souvenir with Japanese sweets, and take a photo with the Maiko during the session.
• Why choose this: Get direct insight into Kyoto’s Maiko tradition in a welcoming setting, with time to ask questions and observe cultural rituals up close.
• Upgrades: Extend your experience with a longer session featuring a Maiko greeting and a fun game for an exciting event

Inclusions #

All plans

• Traditional Kyoto tea ceremony experience

• Matcha green tea and 2 Japanese sweets

• Interaction with a Maiko (Geiko apprentice)

• Guided matcha preparation session / Matcha whisking

• Traditional Senjafuda name-slip souvenir

• Q&A session with the Maiko

Premium plan (in addition to the above)

• Maiko dance performance (2 songs)

• Cultural games with the Maiko

Exclusions #

• Hotel transfers to or from the venue

• Additional food or drinks not listed

• Personal expenses and souvenirs

What to bring

• Please bring your booking voucher for verification at the entrance; mobile vouchers are accepted.

What’s not allowed

• Non-participants are not permitted to enter the studio. However, children under 2 years old who sit on a parent’s lap can enter without an extra charge.

Accessibility

• Access to the venue involves stairs, and there is no elevator in the building. Wheelchair access is therefore not available.

Additional information

• Reservations received after 5pm are processed on the following day.
• Sessions start on time and late comers will still be able to enter but the venue will not adjust the schedule to accommodate latecomers.
• English translation support may be provided where possible, and an optional English support guarantee may be available.
• The venue is located inside a building rather than a traditional ochaya tea house.
• On some days, a Geiko may host the experience instead of a Maiko.
• Total duration includes 15 minutes of on-site time after the experience ends.

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.

Traditional Kyoto dinner with a live Maiko performance, games, and a photo session.

• Everything you get: Enjoy a traditional Kyoto dinner from a long-established local restaurant while watching two elegant Maiko dances, a tea ceremony demonstration, interactive games, and a Q&A session. You’ll also receive a commemorative photo opportunity and a Maiko Senjyafuda souvenir.
• Why choose this: Most Maiko experiences focus only on performances. This one combines Kyoto cuisine, cultural interaction, games, and close-up photo opportunities.

Inclusions #

• Dinner with Maiko

• Two Maiko dance performances

• Tea ceremony demonstration

• Q&A session with Maiko

• Interactive traditional game

• Photo opportunity with Maiko

• Senjyafuda souvenir gift

Exclusions #

• Tea Ceremony option: 1,600JPY

• SS seat (First row)：3,300 JPY

• S2 seat (Second row)：2,200 JPY

• S3 seat (Third row)：1,100 JPY

Accessibility

• The venue building does not have an elevator and requires stair access.

Additional information

• The experience lasts around 90 minutes
• A Geiko may appear instead of a Maiko, depending on availability.
• English translation support is available on request, where possible.
• Late arrivals may not be admitted once the program begins.
• Guests not participating in the experience cannot enter the venue.
• Children under 2 may join free on a parent’s lap; seats and meals cost extra.
• Optional upgrades include tea ceremony participation and premium seating closer to the stage.
• Cancellation and date-change fees apply according to the booking policy.
• Travel expenses to the venue are non-refundable in case of cancellation.
• Total duration includes 15 minutes of on-site time after the experience ends

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).

Hands-on Kyoto wagashi: craft Japanese traditional sweets, with optional Uji matcha ceremony

• Everything you get: Create two high-grade Japanese traditional sweets shaped to the season with step-by-step instructor guidance. Learn coloring and shaping techniques using traditional bean pastes and discover the cultural background of wagashi making.
• Why choose this: A beginner-friendly workshop using ingredients from long-established Kyoto confectionery shops offers a hands-on introduction to Japanese sweets culture.
• Upgrades: Add a casual Uji matcha tea ceremony with a grinding demonstration, or include Ohigashi sweet-making using traditional Wasanbon sugar.

Inclusions #

• Instructor-led Japanese traditional sweets workshop

• Make 2 seasonal Japanese traditional wagashi sweets

• Traditional Ohigashi making (based on option selected)

• Casual Uji matcha tea ceremony (based on option selected)

• Matcha grinding demonstration (as per option selected)

• Ingredients, tools, and materials provided

• Cultural explanation by local instructor

Exclusions #

• Hotel transfers to/from the venue

• Additional food or drinks not listed

• Personal expenses or souvenirs

• Take-home container for finished sweets (to be paid at the spot)

What to bring

• Please bring a valid photo ID.

What’s not allowed

• Non-participants are not permitted to enter the studio. However, children under 2 years old who sit on a parent’s lap can enter without extra charge.

Accessibility

• Access to the studio involves stairs and there is no elevator in the building. Wheelchair access may therefore be limited.

Additional information

• Operating hours are from 10am to 5pm, and reservations received after 5pm are processed on the following day.
• Late arrivals cannot be accommodated and the session will begin as scheduled.
• English translation support can be arranged on request by contacting the provider in advance.
• If you would like to experience a tea ceremony, you must choose Ohigashi + Nerikiri + tea ceremony or Nerikiri + tea ceremony.
• Total duration includes 10 minutes of on-site time after the experience ends

See matcha made from leaf to bowl in a short Kyoto tea ceremony

• Everything you get: Watch tea leaves stone-milled into fine matcha powder, then learn how to prepare and enjoy your own bowl during a guided tea ceremony. The session also includes traditional Japanese sweets made with Wasanbon sugar and time for photos during the experience.
• Why choose this: A short, beginner-friendly tea ceremony that shows the full matcha process, from grinding to drinking, in just 30 minutes.

Inclusions #

• Traditional tea ceremony experience (Otemae)

• Matcha stone-milling demonstration

• Matcha tea preparation and tasting

• Japanese sweets made with Wasanbon sugar

• Photo time during the session

Exclusions #

• Certificate of completion (Additional 400 JPY)

• English Support Guarantee (Additional 6,600 JPY)

• Hotel transfers to or from the venue

• Personal expenses or souvenirs

What to bring

• Please bring your booking voucher for verification at the entrance; mobile vouchers are accepted.

What’s not allowed

• Entry is limited to registered participants only.
• Large luggage should not be brought into the venue.
• Commercial photography or filming is not permitted without prior approval.
• Non-participants are not permitted to enter the studio. However, children under 2 years old who sit on a parent’s lap can enter without extra charge.

Accessibility

• Access to the venue involves stairs only, as the building does not have an elevator.

Additional information

• Sessions start on time and may not be delayed for late arrivals.
• English assistance may be provided where possible, or you can select the English Support Guarantee add-on.
• Operation hours are from 10am to 5pm. Reservations made after 5pm are processed on the next business day.
• Total duration includes 10 minutes of on-site time after the experience ends

Immerse yourself in a private Japanese tea ceremony with hands-on matcha making in Nara.

• Everything you get: Enjoy a 90-minute private tea ceremony in a beautifully renovated traditional house, guided one-on-one by a skilled tea master. Taste five types of locally sourced Japanese tea, receive hands-on matcha making instruction, and savor two kinds of matcha alongside seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets).
• Why choose this: This intimate, interactive workshop offers a genuine connection to Japanese culture, personalized tea master guidance, and a serene escape in Nara’s tranquil setting. Perfect for tea lovers and cultural explorers.

Inclusions #

• Private tea ceremony in renovated house

• One-on-one tea master instruction

• Hands-on matcha making practice

• 5 types of Japanese tea

• Traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi)

• Two types of matcha

What to bring

• No specific items are required for this experience. All tea, matcha, wagashi, and materials are provided as part of the session.

What’s not allowed

• No specific restrictions are listed by the activity provider.

Accessibility

• Infants and small children may attend in a stroller but must sit on an adult’s lap during the activity.

Additional information

• This experience is available for guests aged 13 to 99.
• Infants and small children may attend but must sit on an adult’s lap during the session.
• Public transportation options are available nearby.
• The experience lasts approximately 90 minutes.
• Free cancellation is available if requested before 12am, one day prior to the date of use. Cancellations made after this time are non-refundable.

Step into Kyoto’s traditions—choose your kimono and savor a hands-on tea ceremony experience.

• Everything you get: Select from over 200 kimonos with professional dressing assistance and free hairstyling for women. Join an English-guided tea ceremony, prepare matcha using a traditional chasen, and enjoy Japanese sweets from a long-established store. All materials are included—just arrive ready to participate.
• Why choose this: Experience Japanese culture with a guided, interactive tea ceremony and kimono experience right near Nishiki Market—perfect for first-timers and culture lovers.
• Upgrades: Upgrade your experience with a Japanese calligraphy workshop or a gold leaf craft session, where you create and take home your own finished piece.

Inclusions #

• Choice of over 200 kimonos

• Free hair styling for women

• Kimono rental

• All materials necessary for the selected experience (tea ceremony, calligraphy, or gold leaf workshop)

• Japanese sweets from a long-established store (based on option selected)

• Finished gold leaf plate to take home (based on option selected)

What to bring

• Please bring a smartphone with internet access, as you must open your voucher link and present the live “Use” screen to staff. Screenshots or printed tickets are not accepted.
• You do not need to bring anything else; all necessary materials for your selected experience are provided.

What’s not allowed

• Screenshots or printed versions of your voucher are not accepted. Only the live “Use” screen on your smartphone is valid.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

• Reservations must be made by 12pm, one day before your participation date.
• Your voucher is valid only for the specified participation date.
• The experience is conducted in English.
• Free hair styling for women is included as part of the kimono experience.
• Children aged 3 and above require a ticket to participate.
• All materials needed for the tea ceremony, calligraphy, or gold leaf workshop are included based on your selected option.
• Tea ceremony variants include Japanese sweets from a long-established store.
• Guests joining the gold leaf experience can take home their finished plate as a souvenir.
• The experience takes place at Nishiki Orizuruya.