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Experience the best tea ceremonies in Kyoto

Kyoto tea ceremony experiences range from introductory 45-minute sessions at Urasenke and temple venues to full kaiseki-linked traditional ceremonies in historic machiya townhouses in Gion and Higashiyama. Find introductory ceremony tickets, traditional format options, and private booking formats here.
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Slide 1 of 8, Participants in traditional attire at a Japanese tea ceremony, learning matcha-making techniques.
Participants in traditional attire at a Japanese tea ceremony, learning matcha-making techniques.
45 mins
  • Join a 45-minute shared tea ceremony conducted in English near Kinkaku-ji.

  • Take part as a guest in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, not just a demonstration.

  • Learn the proper etiquette, gestures, and flow of the ceremony inside a traditional tatami room.

  • Prepare and whisk matcha using traditional tea utensils.

  • Upgrade your experience with a kimono dressing option (minimum 2 guests required).

More details
  • Join a 45-minute shared tea ceremony conducted in English near Kinkaku-ji.

  • Take part as a guest in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony, not just a demonstration.

  • Learn the proper etiquette, gestures, and flow of the ceremony inside a traditional tatami room.

  • Prepare and whisk matcha using traditional tea utensils.

  • Upgrade your experience with a kimono dressing option (minimum 2 guests required).

from
Â¥3,500
Slide 1 of 5, Maiko performing matcha tea ceremony in Kyoto.
Maiko performing matcha tea ceremony in Kyoto.
45 mins - 1 hr 30 mins
  • Meet a Kyoto Maiko and take part in a traditional tea ceremony while learning the etiquette and cultural meaning behind matcha.

  • Watch matcha whisking, two sweets and a Senjafuda souvenir with traditional Japanese sweets in an intimate indoor setting.

  • Ask questions directly to a Maiko and learn about her training, lifestyle, and Kyoto’s Geiko (as they are called in Kyoto) traditions.

  • Capture a memorable photo with the Maiko during the session.

  • Upgrade to a premium program with a Maiko dance performance and a game for a fun experience.

More details
  • Meet a Kyoto Maiko and take part in a traditional tea ceremony while learning the etiquette and cultural meaning behind matcha.

  • Watch matcha whisking, two sweets and a Senjafuda souvenir with traditional Japanese sweets in an intimate indoor setting.

  • Ask questions directly to a Maiko and learn about her training, lifestyle, and Kyoto’s Geiko (as they are called in Kyoto) traditions.

  • Capture a memorable photo with the Maiko during the session.

  • Upgrade to a premium program with a Maiko dance performance and a game for a fun experience.

from
Â¥4,840
Slide 1 of 13, Kimono-clad women participating in a tea ceremony at a traditional Japanese house.
Kimono-clad women participating in a tea ceremony at a traditional Japanese house.
1 hr 30 mins - 2 hrs
  • Wear a traditional kimono (choose from 200+ designs) with expert dressing assistance and simple hairstyling included.

  • Learn the art of matcha preparation in an intimate tea room, guided by a licensed instructor.

  • Enjoy wagashi sweets and freshly prepared matcha as part of your authentic tea ceremony.

  • Small-group sessions (max 10 guests) ensure a relaxed, beginner-friendly introduction to Japanese tea culture.

  • 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.

More details
  • Wear a traditional kimono (choose from 200+ designs) with expert dressing assistance and simple hairstyling included.

  • Learn the art of matcha preparation in an intimate tea room, guided by a licensed instructor.

  • Enjoy wagashi sweets and freshly prepared matcha as part of your authentic tea ceremony.

  • Small-group sessions (max 10 guests) ensure a relaxed, beginner-friendly introduction to Japanese tea culture.

  • 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.

from
Â¥7,700
Slide 1 of 9, Tourist whisking matcha during a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan.
Tourist whisking matcha during a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan.
1 hr
  • Learn the history, Zen influences, and spirit of tea ceremony before experiencing its traditions firsthand in Kyoto.

  • Watch the host prepare matcha, then enjoy a bowl paired with a seasonal Japanese sweet from a historic Kyoto confectioner.

  • Choose your own tea bowl and prepare a second bowl of matcha, experiencing the ceremony as both guest and host.

  • Share an authentic tea room experience with other guests and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

More details
  • Learn the history, Zen influences, and spirit of tea ceremony before experiencing its traditions firsthand in Kyoto.

  • Watch the host prepare matcha, then enjoy a bowl paired with a seasonal Japanese sweet from a historic Kyoto confectioner.

  • Choose your own tea bowl and prepare a second bowl of matcha, experiencing the ceremony as both guest and host.

  • Share an authentic tea room experience with other guests and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.

from
Â¥7,300
Slide 1 of 7, Women participating in a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan.
Women participating in a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan.
40 mins
  • Discover Japanese tea culture during an authentic tea ceremony in a traditional tea room near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.

  • Learn about the history of Japanese tea from an English-speaking, kimono-clad instructor and watch a traditional matcha-making demonstration.

  • Prepare your own matcha with hands-on guidance, then enjoy your freshly made tea alongside traditional Japanese sweets.

  • Choose between a shared tea ceremony with other participants or a private session for a more personal cultural experience.

More details
  • Discover Japanese tea culture during an authentic tea ceremony in a traditional tea room near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.

  • Learn about the history of Japanese tea from an English-speaking, kimono-clad instructor and watch a traditional matcha-making demonstration.

  • Prepare your own matcha with hands-on guidance, then enjoy your freshly made tea alongside traditional Japanese sweets.

  • Choose between a shared tea ceremony with other participants or a private session for a more personal cultural experience.

from
Â¥4,000
Slide 1 of 13, Tourists in traditional attire outside a Japanese tea ceremony venue.
Tourists in traditional attire outside a Japanese tea ceremony venue.
1 hr 30 mins - 2 hrs
  • Choose from 200+ kimonos with professional dressing assistance and complimentary hairstyling for women.

  • Join an English-guided tea ceremony and prepare matcha using a traditional chasen.

  • Enjoy Japanese sweets from a long-established Kyoto store during your ceremony.

  • Small-group sessions make this hands-on cultural workshop welcoming for beginners.

  • Upgrade to add a calligraphy workshop or a gold leaf craft experience with a take-home plate.

More details
  • Choose from 200+ kimonos with professional dressing assistance and complimentary hairstyling for women.

  • Join an English-guided tea ceremony and prepare matcha using a traditional chasen.

  • Enjoy Japanese sweets from a long-established Kyoto store during your ceremony.

  • Small-group sessions make this hands-on cultural workshop welcoming for beginners.

  • Upgrade to add a calligraphy workshop or a gold leaf craft experience with a take-home plate.

from
Â¥7,700
Slide 1 of 5, Tea ceremony demonstration in Kyoto Karasuma area with participants observing.
Tea ceremony demonstration in Kyoto Karasuma area with participants observing.
30 mins
  • Take part in a Kyoto tea ceremony and learn the rituals of preparing and enjoying matcha in a calm, beginner-friendly setting.

  • Watch a traditional matcha stone-milling demonstration and see how tea leaves are turned into fine matcha powder.

  • Prepare and drink your own bowl of matcha while learning the etiquette and cultural meaning behind the ceremony.

  • Enjoy traditional Japanese sweets made with fine Wasanbon sugar alongside your tea.

More details
  • Take part in a Kyoto tea ceremony and learn the rituals of preparing and enjoying matcha in a calm, beginner-friendly setting.

  • Watch a traditional matcha stone-milling demonstration and see how tea leaves are turned into fine matcha powder.

  • Prepare and drink your own bowl of matcha while learning the etiquette and cultural meaning behind the ceremony.

  • Enjoy traditional Japanese sweets made with fine Wasanbon sugar alongside your tea.

from
Â¥1,270
Slide 1 of 6, Participants crafting traditional Japanese sweets in a workshop setting.
Participants crafting traditional Japanese sweets in a workshop setting.
1 hr 5 mins - 2 hrs 5 mins
  • Craft two seasonal Japanese traditional wagashi sweets with step-by-step instructor guidance in a hands-on Kyoto sweets workshop.

  • Learn traditional coloring and shaping techniques using bean pastes inspired by Kyoto confectionery culture.

  • Discover the cultural meaning of wagashi and how seasonal sweets connect to Japanese tea traditions.

  • Upgrade to include a casual Uji matcha tea ceremony with a grinding demonstration and prepare your own bowl of matcha.

  • Choose the expanded workshop option to also make traditional Ohigashi sweets using fine Wasanbon sugar.

More details
  • Craft two seasonal Japanese traditional wagashi sweets with step-by-step instructor guidance in a hands-on Kyoto sweets workshop.

  • Learn traditional coloring and shaping techniques using bean pastes inspired by Kyoto confectionery culture.

  • Discover the cultural meaning of wagashi and how seasonal sweets connect to Japanese tea traditions.

  • Upgrade to include a casual Uji matcha tea ceremony with a grinding demonstration and prepare your own bowl of matcha.

  • Choose the expanded workshop option to also make traditional Ohigashi sweets using fine Wasanbon sugar.

from
Â¥1,870
Slide 1 of 17, Kimono-clad woman in traditional Kyoto machiya during tea ceremony.
Kimono-clad woman in traditional Kyoto machiya during tea ceremony.
1 hr 30 mins
  • Wear a traditional kimono and take part in a tea ceremony inside Nishijin Tondaya, a historic machiya townhouse in Kyoto.

  • Experience tea culture in a preserved merchant house built in 1885 and registered as a National Cultural Heritage property.

  • Choose between regular kimono or upgrade to a premium silk kimono for a more refined traditional look.

  • Explore the interior of a large-scale kimono wholesaler’s residence from the Meiji era, featuring traditional architecture and inner gardens.

More details
  • Wear a traditional kimono and take part in a tea ceremony inside Nishijin Tondaya, a historic machiya townhouse in Kyoto.

  • Experience tea culture in a preserved merchant house built in 1885 and registered as a National Cultural Heritage property.

  • Choose between regular kimono or upgrade to a premium silk kimono for a more refined traditional look.

  • Explore the interior of a large-scale kimono wholesaler’s residence from the Meiji era, featuring traditional architecture and inner gardens.

from
Â¥27,000

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