Heritage Experiences

Kyoto Imperial Palace Area: Kimono Tea Ceremony in a 140-Year-Old Machiya

Duration

1 hr 30 mins

4.9/5(42)

Liliana U

Couple

Verified booking

Jun 2026

The historic house with its interior gardens was uniquely beautiful, the women assisting with the kimono dressing and tour of the house were kind and knowledgeable. The tea ceremony included a good amount of education and the tea itself was superb. We are very happy to have participated in a tea ceremony with true tea masters and at a historic site in Kyoto, a highlight of our Japan trip!

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.

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

Socks (please bring your own socks)

Geta (traditional Japanese wooden sandals)

Hair styling

Make up

Lunch

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

42 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United States, Australia, Germany and over 6 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Liliana U
Couple
Verified booking
Jun 2026
The historic house with its interior gardens was uniquely beautiful, the women assisting with the kimono dressing and tour of the house were kind and knowledgeable. The tea ceremony included a good amount of education and the tea itself was superb. We are very happy to have participated in a tea ceremony with true tea masters and at a historic site in Kyoto, a highlight of our Japan trip!
Jana B
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
It was so beautiful. The ladies that hosted were even more beautiful. They explained the whole experience so in depth. The little ladies helping dress us to the tea master were all wonderful! We couldn't recommend this ceremony more! Thank you for hosting us!
Tanja S
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
That was a great experience. Everyone was so friendly and it was very informative.
Charles T
Group
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Great experience. Kimonos were beautiful and the tea house was authentically beautiful
Hila K
Group
Verified booking
Apr 2026
The authentic Kimonos we got to wear and take photos with was an amazing experience

Wear a kimono and take part in a traditional tea ceremony inside a historic Kyoto machiya, combining cultural dress and tea heritage in one visit.

Getting started

Arrive at Nishijin Tondaya and check in at reception. Show your booking confirmation before changing into your selected kimono. Shoes must be removed before entering the machiya. Flash photography and tripods are not permitted inside the venue.

What to expect

Nishijin Tondaya

Nishijin Tondaya is a preserved machiya townhouse built in 1885 and registered as a National Cultural Heritage property.

Features

Experience a traditional tea ceremony, typically conducted in the Ryureiseki style with chair seating.

Wear a regular kimono with an obi sash during your visit.

Explore the architectural layout of a Meiji-era kimono wholesaler’s residence.

Observe traditional interior elements such as narrow entrances, long corridors, and inner gardens.

Upgrades

Upgrade to a premium silk kimono for a more refined traditional appearance.

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.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.