Tea tours · KYOTO TEA TOURS

Kyoto Tea Ceremonies and Tastings: The 15 Best

53 tours  ·  from $7 a head

Temple rooms, machiya townhouses and the Uji mills half an hour out. The 15 below compare length, group size, whether you whisk your own bowl and how early the good morning slots go.

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu - A brief introduction to 500 years of tea tradition
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

1.Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,519 reviews · 45 min · from $49Our pick

In Sannenzaka near Kiyomizu-Dera, an English-speaking host introduces you to 500 years of tea tradition before a tea master performs the ceremony. You then whisk your own matcha, enjoy a Japanese sweet, and pose for a garden photo. The 45-minute session costs $49, uses small groups, and does not include kimono rental.

“This is an amazing experience! Definitely would recommend. Even though its locate on a busy street, the building itself is very peaceful and the vibe is sooo serene.”

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple - Entering Jotokuji Temple through the main gates
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

2.Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,207 reviews · 1h 10m · from $29

At Jotokuji Temple, an English-speaking guide such as Kate introduces you to the site before a tea master demonstrates chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony. You’ll purify at the fountain, remove your shoes, taste matcha and sweets, and prepare your own tea in a small group of up to 10. The 70-minute session costs $29.

“interesting facts about the ritual, fun and tasty matcha”

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Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience - Why the tea master matters
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Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

3.Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,378 reviews · 45 min · from $22

At Tea Ceremony Koto near Kinkakuji, an English-speaking Urasenke tea master guides you through a 45-minute matcha lesson. You watch the formal preparation, make tea yourself, learn the meaning behind each gesture, and taste Japanese sweets. Choose a public, private, or candlelight session, with kimono rental available as an add-on.

“Splendid to learn the history of the tea ceremony from a practicing professional.”

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Kyoto: Table-Style Tea Ceremony at a Kyo-Machiya - What happens during the 90 minutes
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Kyoto: Table-Style Tea Ceremony at a Kyo-Machiya

4.Kyoto: Table-Style Tea Ceremony at a Kyo-Machiya

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,211 reviews · 1h 30m · from $45

Spend 90 minutes in a 100-year-old Kyo-machiya in southern Kyoto, where English-speaking hosts explain tea ceremony manners, serve sweets and drinks, and guide you through matcha-making, calligraphy, flower arranging, and photos. Chairs replace floor seating, and an optional kimono makes the visit especially photogenic.

“Enjoyed a fantastic Tea Ceremony with very welcoming hosts. Very informative and amazing experience. Would recommend for anyone!!”

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Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI - Sitting on Tatami for the Tea Ceremony
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Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI

5.Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 911 reviews · from $65Top rated

At Maikoya Nishiki in central Kyoto, you choose a kimono, receive simple hairstyling, and join a guided tea ceremony on tatami mats. Your host explains the ritual, utensils, and Kyoto connections, then shows you how to whisk matcha. Wagashi sweets, photo time, and morning or afternoon bookings are included.

“It was such a peaceful process watching our hostess show us a traditional tea ceremony. And so much fun choosing our kimonos and having our hair done. Totally recommend this experience!!”

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Kyoto: Kimono Tea Ceremony at Orizuruya Gion - Why the small group matters
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Kyoto: Kimono Tea Ceremony at Orizuruya Gion

6.Kyoto: Kimono Tea Ceremony at Orizuruya Gion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 618 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $49

At Orizuruya Gion, choose from more than 200 kimono designs, get dressed with staff help, and learn to prepare matcha in English. Women receive simple hairstyling. The tea ceremony lasts about 90 minutes, or two hours with Japanese calligraphy. You may keep the kimono on for a walk in Gion until 5 p.m.

“The team was very polite and friendly, a very remarkable experience”

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in 100-year-old Kyo-Machiya Townhouse - Inside the 100-year-old machiya
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in 100-year-old Kyo-Machiya Townhouse

7.Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in 100-year-old Kyo-Machiya Townhouse

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 546 reviews · 50 minutes - 3 hours · from $31

At a 100-year-old machiya near Kyoto Imperial Palace, an English-supported tea master explains the history and etiquette of Japanese tea. You will watch a formal tea service, prepare your own matcha, and enjoy a traditional sweet. Add kimono rental, hairstyling, makeup, or a 30-minute townhouse tour for a longer Kyoto experience.

“Beautiful experience with a very knowledgeable tea master/host. He explained all of the steps for a simple traditional samurai tea ceremony and helped us make our first matcha! Highly recommend for anyone looking to understand more about the traditional culture.”

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Experience - The opening lesson: utensils, layout, and etiquette
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Experience

8.Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 511 reviews · 45 min · from $32

At Camellia Tea Ceremony in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, your English-speaking host explains matcha, utensils, room design, and tea etiquette before performing a traditional ceremony. You taste a seasonal sweet, then whisk your own bowl of Kyoto matcha. The small-group session costs $32 and lasts 45 minutes.

“Amazing to learn about the culture and history of learning how to become a tea master, thoroughly enjoyed. Very calming ceremony with delicious matcha”

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Meditation - Make Matcha with Tea Master - A clear look at the Omotesenke tea tradition
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Meditation – Make Matcha with Tea Master

9.Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Meditation – Make Matcha with Tea Master

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 406 reviews · 45 min · from $45

In central Kyoto, an English-speaking tea master introduces you to the Omotesenke tradition inside a 100-year-old townhouse. You will watch a tea ceremony, prepare your own matcha with handcrafted utensils, enjoy a Japanese sweet, and ask questions about Japanese culture. Groups are limited to 10, and hosts such as Miki, Aki, Yoko, and Kiyoka have been praised for their warm teaching.

“We loved this activity! The setting is for a smaller group, which makes it more interactive. It was great meeting others through the experience and learning about a traditional Japanese tea ceremony together. The guide was very kind and took great care to show and explain the ceremony. Would highly recommend this experience!”

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KYOTO Tea Ceremony with kimono near by Imamiya Jinjya Shrine - Matcha, Seasonal Sweets, and Your Turn to Prepare Tea
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KYOTO Tea Ceremony with kimono near by Imamiya Jinjya Shrine

10.KYOTO Tea Ceremony with kimono near by Imamiya Jinjya Shrine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 343 reviews · from $99

Choose a Nishijin kimono, have your hair arranged, and learn tea ceremony customs from a tea master with 30 years of practice. You will watch a formal demonstration, taste matcha with a seasonal sweet, then prepare tea yourself. The 90-minute session meets near Daitoku-ji and Imamiya Shrine, with photo help and English interpretation.

“The ladies that host and perform the tea ceremony were absolutely wonderful! They were very detailed in explaining all aspects of the ceremony and demonstrating for us all how it’s done. Then the best part we got to perform the ceremony and served tea while wearing our most beautiful kimonos. I highly recommend this event to anyone who is interested in learning about a very important aspect of the Japanese culture.”

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Kyoto: Japanese Traditional Sweets Making and Tea Ceremony - Coloring and shaping Kyoto nerikiri
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Kyoto: Japanese Traditional Sweets Making and Tea Ceremony

11.Kyoto: Japanese Traditional Sweets Making and Tea Ceremony

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 314 reviews · 1h 35m · from $18Best value

At a small venue one minute from Gojo Station, you will shape two seasonal nerikiri sweets from Kyoto bean paste, then prepare Uji matcha and learn basic tea etiquette. The Japanese-speaking instructors provide English help as much as possible. Expect a hands-on, low-intensity class for $18, with optional take-home packaging and certificates available for a small extra fee.

“This is an amazing experience very much on target for something that I wanted to do in Japan, pro tip. You don’t need the helper fee unless you have a child with you.”

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Kyoto: Kimono and Tea Ceremony Experience at Cultural Asset - Kimono dressing in about five minutes
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Kyoto: Kimono and Tea Ceremony Experience at Cultural Asset

12.Kyoto: Kimono and Tea Ceremony Experience at Cultural Asset

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 306 reviews · 90 minutes - 4 hours · from $222

At Tondaya, a 140-year-old registered cultural property in Kyoto, you’ll be fitted into a silk kimono, tour the townhouse and gardens, and watch a tea master prepare matcha. The setting is beautiful and the staff are welcoming, though group sessions can feel crowded and English support may rely on a translation device.

“John was a great guide! Very acknowledgeable about Hiroshima-Japan history!”

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Kyoto: Nishiki Market Tea Ceremony with Koto Performance - The opening koto performance sets the mood
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Kyoto: Nishiki Market Tea Ceremony with Koto Performance

13.Kyoto: Nishiki Market Tea Ceremony with Koto Performance

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 294 reviews · 1 hour · from $56

At KOTOLILY KYOTO beside Nishiki Market, Yurika guides you through making matcha, tea etiquette, and traditional sweets. Live koto music fills the one-hour session before and after the ceremony. You can add a kimono photo session or short koto lesson on-site for an extra fee. Groups are limited to eight.

“Yurika was a wonderful host, very kind and funny and put us at ease The tea ceremony experience was great and the music was beautiful. Highly recommend this experience for anybody in Kyoto”

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Kyoto: Newly Opened Tea Ceremony - Sanjo Chasuian - The opening lesson explains more than matcha
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Kyoto: Newly Opened Tea Ceremony – Sanjo Chasuian

14.Kyoto: Newly Opened Tea Ceremony – Sanjo Chasuian

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 288 reviews · 1 hour · from $31

At Sanjo Chasuian, five minutes from Karasuma Oike Station, an English-speaking guide such as Yuko or Reina introduces you to Kyoto tea culture. You’ll watch a precise tea preparation, taste matcha with a seasonal wagashi, then whisk your own bowl. The small-group session includes the rare nijiriguchi entrance and lasts one hour.

“The ceremony was professional and our guide explaibed very well and gave us to make the matcha by ourselves. It will be nice if they will sell the Matcha cup as well.”

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony with Maiko Premium - The 90-minute program, step by step
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony with Maiko Premium

15.Kyoto: Tea Ceremony with Maiko Premium

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 280 reviews · 1h 30m · from $50

Meet a Maiko or possibly a Geiko near Gojo Station in Kyoto. You’ll learn to prepare matcha, eat two Japanese sweets, ask questions about her life, watch two dances, play a traditional game, and take a commemorative photo. The $50 Premium program takes place in a modern building, not a traditional tea house.

“I loved the game and the opportunity to ask questions”

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