Japan · TEA CEREMONIES IN KYOTO
The good tea ceremonies in Kyoto fill weeks ahead and the best go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes, and where they genuinely differ.
Kyoto tea ceremony in a traditional tea house at Sannenzaka. Brew matcha, savor sweets, and enjoy a calm garden backdrop at Sakaguchian.
“Very nice tea ceremony, with a short explanation beforehand. Small grp of 10 ppl. Nice view into the garden.”
Matcha, silence, and a real Chanoyu lesson at Jotokuji Temple. Small group, 70 minutes, guided by Ju-An in English.
“Excellent experience. Our host was very knowledgeable and welcoming. I would do it again.”
A 45-minute Kyoto tea ceremony lesson with an Urasenke tea master. Learn matcha rules, taste two teas, enjoy sweets, optional kimono.
“Our guide was very knowledgeable and loved that we could add on rental of kimono. The setting was perfect and the history lesson of the tea ceremony was great.”
Chair-based Kyoto tea ceremony in a 100+ year townhouse. Make frothy matcha, try calligraphy, flower arranging, and enjoy Japanese drinks and etiquette.
“We booked the tea ceremony including kimono rental. It was absolutely amazing! It was so fun. The ladies that handled this workshop were so polite,friendly, knowledgeable and fun. We had a fantastic time. The activity included the tea, sweets, calligraphy,flower arrangements and little bits of Japanese customs. 10/10 recommended.”
Wear a kimono and learn the Kyoto matcha ritual at Nishiki, with expert guidance, hands-on tea making, and wagashi sweets.
“They dress you up and help you through the whole process. Extremely professional! You can tell everyone is very proud of their history and everyone made you feel very special.”
Kyoto Arashiyama half-day walk with Tenryu-ji Zen gardens, bamboo forest, monkeys at Monkey Park, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Uji matcha.
“Great tour. Lots of uphill walking to see monkeys. Depending on weather can be treacherous. Beautiful scenery, lots of historical information. Lovely to stop for matcha ice cream which was included.”
Grind Uji tea, whisk fresh matcha, and explore Chazuna’s interactive museum in Uji. One hour for $23, with a summer ice-cream option.
“I like the diacuasion regarding the 3 types of teas in Japan and the hands-on workshop. I can now brew my own matcha. And also for the facilitators, they are very helpful. kudos to them. I enjoyed it very much.”
Orizuruya Gion in Kyoto: wear a kimono, learn matcha, sip it in a small group, with optional Japanese calligraphy.
“Truly recommend this to anyone, was a great experience and staff were lovely. Great to experience traditional tea ceremony in traditional dress.”
Kyoto tea ceremony in a 100-year-old machiya, learn matcha etiquette, make your own cup, and rent a kimono for the stroll.
“We loved this activity ! We just did the tea ceremony with no kimonos and it was perfect! Our guide led us into the room and I volunteered to drink the tea the tea master was going to make so I got to sit at the front. It lasted about 50 mins and you could ask the tea master any questions at the end and get pictures with them and around the tea house. Such a gorgeous experience and a great way to learn about the culture and traditions of Japan.”
Learn matcha basics in a traditional Kyoto machiya in Higashiyama. Sip sweets, whisk your own frothy bowl, and ask questions.
“Loved the tea ceremony. Every step was explained so well. it was such a peaceful tranquil activity and a nice break from the business of Kyoto. I would recommend anyone to do the tea ceremony. Next door you can rent a Kimono and the staff there are so lovely. they really made your experience feel personable. I'd like to mention Nel too, she offered to take photos of me in my Kimono as I was on my own for a while. She was very kind and helpful. thank you everyone!”
Make matcha in a 100-year-old Kyoto townhouse with an Omotesenke-trained tea master. Small group, 45 minutes, $45.
“The host is super respectful. She guided us through the tea ceremony step by step and was very open to questions. Her English was also very good.”
Wear an authentic kimono and learn matcha tea etiquette in Kyoto, with a tea master demo and time for you to brew your own cup.
“We had a great time at the tea ceremony. Unique experience, beautiful selection of kimonos and so many great photo opportunities.”
Shape Kyoto nerikiri sweets from colored bean paste, then enjoy single-origin Uji matcha and tea etiquette near Gojo Station.
“It was great, the sensei gave her best to include us in english and WE had tasty sweets to eat at the end. Would absolutely recommend!”
Wear a silk kimono and enjoy a Kyoto tea ceremony in a 140-year-old machiya at Tondaya, with time for photos and explanations.
“A wonderful tea ceremony. A little light on information and I thought a few too many people that made it a bit too crowded”
Kyoto Nishiki tea ceremony at KOTOLILY KYOTO: make matcha, taste sweets, hear live koto harp, and add kimono photos on-site.
“Omg the host was so cuteee & sweet. She played beautiful koto. She explained each & every component of tea ceremony extremely well. Definitely recommend! Wish we wore kimono for this activity tho”
Pick the experience, read what travellers said, book the good one.
