Kyoto: Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony Experience

The Japanese tea ceremony transforms making matcha into a graceful ritual rooted in mindfulness and respect. Inside a tatami-lined teahouse, every gesture; from cleansing the utensils to whisking the tea; is performed with quiet precision, reflecting centuries of tradition.

Guided by the principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquillity, this experience invites you to slow down and connect with Japanese culture in its purest form. You’ll learn the art of preparing matcha, taste freshly whisked tea with seasonal sweets, and discover the calm beauty behind one of Japan’s most meaningful customs.

Why you should attend a Tea Ceremony in Japan?

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Experience Japan’s centuries-old tea rituals

Take part in an authentic tea ceremony led by licensed Urasenke tea masters, one of Japan’s main tea schools. You’ll watch how matcha is prepared using traditional utensils and learn the meaning behind each step. Guided by centuries-old customs, the experience reveals how the tea ceremony reflects Japan’s values of harmony, respect, and mindfulness.

The art of making tea

Guided by expert instructors, you’ll learn each step of preparing matcha the traditional way. Using classic tools: the chashaku (bamboo scoop), chasen (whisk), natsume (tea caddy), and handcrafted chawan (tea bowl)—you’ll measure, mix, and whisk your own bowl of tea. What begins as a simple lesson in tea-making soon becomes an experience in mindfulness and balance.

Where to join a Tea Ceremony in Japan

You can experience the Japanese tea ceremony across the country, with each city offering its own distinct charm. In Kyoto, the birthplace of chado, centuries-old teahouses in Gion and Uji invite you to step into serene gardens and tatami rooms that preserve age-old traditions. In Tokyo, studios in Asakusa and Shinjuku present a more contemporary take. Down in Osaka, the experience feels warmer and more relaxed, with tearooms near Dōtonbori and Osaka Castle blending classic rituals with the city’s easy-going hospitality.

Small-group & private sessions

Pick an experience that matches your comfort and curiosity. Small-group sessions offer a friendly, shared atmosphere, while private ceremonies give you a quieter, more personal encounter. Either way, you’ll have time to observe each gesture, ask questions, and enjoy the calm rhythm of the tea master’s craft.

Wear a Kimono

Add a touch of tradition by wearing a kimono during your ceremony. As you kneel on tatami mats, bow to your host, and sip hand-whisked matcha, the elegant layers of fabric make the moment feel even more authentic; a beautiful blend of culture, grace, and mindfulness.

Things to know before booking your Tea Ceremony experience

Pick a location that fits your Itinerary

Tea ceremonies are available across Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, and Uji, so you can easily fit one into your travel schedule.
Kyoto: Perfect for cultural travellers and history buffs. Choose from ceremonies near Kinkaku-ji Temple, Gion, or Kiyomizu, led by licensed Urasenke tea masters inside traditional tatami tea rooms or machiya houses.
Tokyo: Great for short stays or first-time visitors. Compact, guided sessions in Shinjuku or near Tokyo University let you taste different matcha types, learn whisking techniques, and even earn a certificate.
Osaka: Ideal for city explorers. In the Dotonbori district, you can join friendly, English-guided sessions that blend authentic rituals with Osaka’s trademark warmth and energy.
Uji: Visit the Chazuna Museum, learn to grind your own matcha on a stone mill, and brew tea overlooking beautiful Japanese gardens.

Duration

Most tea ceremony sessions last 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the package. Kyoto and Osaka sessions run throughout the year, while Uji workshops and Tokyo experiences may have fixed time slots.
Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during spring (March–April) and autumn (October–November) when Kyoto’s cultural attractions are busiest.

Small-group & private options

Shared tours are ideal for travellers who enjoy a social setting and want to meet others. There maybe a waiting time due to larger group side.
Private tours offer a quieter, tailored experience with more interaction and photo opportunities.

Kimono-wearing upgrades

You can choose between standard cotton kimono or premium silk options (available in select Kyoto experiences).
Some packages include professional photography in the tatami room or garden.Wearing a kimono isn’t mandatory, but it adds a layer of authenticity — and makes for stunning keepsake photos.

Language

All experiences include English-speaking or bilingual Japanese-English guides.In Kyoto, many instructors belong to the Urasenke tea school, one of Japan’s most respected lineages.

Your ticket includes

Depending on your ticket type, you’ll enjoy a guided matcha-making and tasting session paired with seasonal wagashi sweets, entry to tea rooms or museums, access to gardens or cultural exhibits, and optional add-ons like kimono rental, souvenir photos, & more.

Things to do during a Japanese Tea Ceremony experience

Traditional tatami room set for a private tea ceremony in Kyoto teahouse.

Enter an authentic Japanese tea house

Many tea ceremonies are held in old machiya townhouses or peaceful tea rooms that make you feel like you’ve stepped into another time. The rooms often have tatami mats, sliding shoji doors, and a small alcove with a hanging scroll or a seasonal flower display. The simple, natural design known as wabi-sabi creates a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

Tea ceremony preparation with matcha in a Kyoto teahouse.

Observe the tea master’s rituals

Watching the tea master prepare matcha is one of the most captivating parts of the ceremony. Right from scooping the tea with a bamboo chashaku, pouring hot water from an iron kettle, and whisking it with a chasen, every step follows a set rhythm and purpose. The atmosphere is quite meditative that helps guests pause, observe, and be present.

Matcha tea and traditional sweet on tatami mat during Kyoto tea ceremony.

Learn to whisk matcha yourself

Scoop the vibrant matcha powder, pour hot water, and whisk until the surface froths evenly. Kyoto’s small-group sessions offer one-on-one guidance, Osaka’s are warm and interactive, while Tokyo’s are quick and instructional; ideal for first-time visitors. In Uji, the experience goes further with a stone-mill workshop, where you grind your own tea leaves before brewing them into a fragrant bowl of matcha.

Wagashi sweets assortment on decorative tray, part of Flavors of Japan Tour.

Taste the flavours of Japan

No ceremony is complete without tasting the harmony between matcha and wagashi sweets. Each sweet reflects the season: cherry blossoms in spring, maple leaves in autumn. In some sessions, like Tokyo’s Ocharu Tea Ceremony, you’ll taste four distinct Japanese teas: smooth wakocha (black tea), fragrant Gyokuro, creamy matcha, and toasted Genmaicha.

Interior of Kyoto tea museum with tea plant and exhibit displays.

Explore tea culture beyond the ceremony

In Uji, visit the Chazuna Museum, explore digital exhibits on Uji’s tea history, and learn about Byodoin Temple’s heritage. In Kyoto’s Myoshinji Temple area, join a zazen meditation session with Buddhist monk Eitetsu Nishida, followed by a guided temple walk and photo session in a 100-year-old machiya. In Tokyo’s Shinjuku, attend a teaism and matcha lecture, comparing over 100 matcha varieties and learning how to tell authentic blends from imitations.

Couple in traditional Japanese attire enjoying tea ceremony indoors.

Dress in a traditional kimono

Add a kimono-wearing experience to elevate your ceremony. Choose from cotton kimonos or premium silk options that echo Japan’s elegance. In Kyoto and Osaka, you can even capture your look through professional photo shoots inside tea gardens or tatami rooms — a keepsake as beautiful as the ceremony itself.