The Japanese tea ceremony, also known as sado, chado, or chanoyu, is a centuries-old tradition of preparing and serving powdered matcha green tea, stemming from the practice of Buddhism in China. This is a ritualistic way of making matcha, a type of powdered tea unique to Japan, which is made from dried tea leaves and produces a bright green color. This is a rare treat for visitors who want to experience the true culture and essence of Japan! Please enjoy a premium tea ceremony experience in a Kyoto machiya, protected as a registered cultural property by the Japanese government. The beautiful Japanese garden is also worth seeing. Located just a short walk from the famous Gion area and Kiyomizudera temple, it offers convenient access to popular tourist destinations.
Highlights
Experience Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
You can take many photos by wearing an authentic kimono in the beautiful Japanese gardens of Maikoya.
Everyone is welcome to take pictures in the tea room and the garden, along with our unique backdrops!
You don't even need to worry about the language barrier! All of our staff is fluent in English
Sampling traditional Japanese sweets called wagashi
Duration
1.5 hours
Offered in
English
What is included
KIMONO TEA CEREMONY MAIKOYA at GION KIYOMIZU
100, Rokurocho, Matsubara-dori Yamatooji Higashi iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Start time
9:00 am
End point
KIMONO TEA CEREMONY MAIKOYA at GION KIYOMIZU
100, Rokurocho, Matsubara-dori Yamatooji Higashi iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Experience Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
You can take many photos by wearing an authentic kimono in the beautiful Japanese gardens of Maikoya.
Everyone is welcome to take pictures in the tea room and the garden, along with our unique backdrops!
You don't even need to worry about the language barrier! All of our staff is fluent in English
Sampling traditional Japanese sweets called wagashi
Tea Ceremony
Our award-winning tea ceremonies are not only enjoyable but also a comprehensive educational experience. Our expert tea master and host, and friendly staff will demonstrate the process during the tea ceremony while explaining the significance behind it the steps and the tools. You will get to learn about tea ceremony history, Kyoto, and tea ceremony etiquette. During the tea ceremony, you will not only observe how to make matcha green tea but you will also be guided on the process of making your own by the tea master. You will be using high-quality matcha powder that will produce a brilliant cup of green matcha.
Kimono
MAIKOYA is the only facility in Kyoto where you can experience real kimono and tea ceremony in the same place. A selection of beautiful kimonos is available for you to choose from, and our staff will make sure you look your best for your unique Japanese experience. Ladies will be treated to get their hair done to match their kimono and traditional Japanese look! You can take many photos by wearing an authentic kimono in the beautiful Japanese gardens of Maikoya. You can even wear your kimonos outside after your tea ceremony, and take a stroll down the historical Gion District.
The historical scenic townhouse
Our tea ceremonies are held in a historic machiya that has been registered as a Tangible Cultural Property, located conveniently in central Kyoto. The traditional townhouse is just a few minutes away from the Gion-Shijo train station and nearby popular destinations such as the Gion geisha district and the Kiyomizu Temple. Everyone is welcome to take pictures in the tea room and the garden, along with our unique backdrops! After all, who wouldn’t want to preserve the memory of a cultural experience?
The foundations of Zen philosophy
You don't even need to worry about the language barrier! All of our staff is fluent in English and can answer and explain anything about the ceremony. Asking questions during the tea ceremony is welcome. Our staff will teach you about the foundations of Zen philosophy that have influenced the Japanese tea ceremony: Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku, which translates into harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.
Japanese sweets
You will also be sampling traditional Japanese sweets called wagashi, which will vary in flavors, shapes, and colors according to the season. Each experience at Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya is unique just by the snacks served at each session, not just by the personalization for each guest.
Children under 7 can not enter the tea ceremony venue.
Lasts approximately 90 - 120 minutes (Your appointment time is the starting time for kimono dressing. The tea ceremony is scheduled to start in about 30 minutes, but it depends on the situation. You will have to wait until all participants are dressed in kimonos. Also, if you arrive late at appointment time, you can wear the kimono after the tea ceremony is over. Tea ceremony is a gathering to respect others and spend a relaxing time. Please make a reservation with plenty of time.)
We kindly request that you contact us in advance regarding the participation of special needs.
The Japanese tea ceremony is preparing, serving, and drinking tea in a ritualistic and ceremonial way.
We can provide a seat for you so you can be comfortable! Our events are also wheelchair accessible and we provide assistance to give you a great experience.
Our wagashi are gluten-free and nut-free treats made with rice flour and sweet red bean paste. These are also halal and kosher!
The host will be guiding you through the ritual and instruct you on what to do.
The tea ceremony is traditionally performed while wearing a kimono. But depending on the type of package you have chosen, you can wear your casual clothes, or any of the kimonos you will pick. The staff will help you put it on and ladies' hair will be styled to suit it.
This particular package can last up to 90 minutes, but others can reach up to 4 hours. You can read more about it on our site!
In the past, it used to only be practiced by elite zen monks, noble warlords, and the aristocracy. Today, anyone who is interested can observe the tea ceremony and participate as guests during events or at specialized establishments like the Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya.
Tea ceremonies are usually held in tea houses, tea rooms, and Japanese tea gardens.
Before the tea ceremony, guests are given the choice to choose from the kimonos for the ceremony, and ladies are given appropriate hairstyles that match the designs of their kimono. The host or tea master will then prepare the ingredients and tools and begin making the matcha while explaining the process.
The Japanese tea ceremony originated in China, brought into Japan by Buddhist monks. Sen no Rikyu was considered the father of the tea ceremony, practicing the precursor to the present-day tea ceremony.
The tea ceremony embodies the culture and sophistication of Japanese tradition, showing clearly the multiple steps it takes to make a single cup of tea. This practice was widely observed among the elite in old Japanese societies and aristocracy.
Other start time available are 9:30AM/10:00AM/10:30AM every 30min and the last session is from 17:30 PM
MAIKOYA
