Where to Sit Down: The 4 Best Tea and Calligraphy Workshops in Kyoto

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

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

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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2.Kyoto Hidden Riverside Zen Mediation and Uji Matcha Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $105Top rated

Meet in Kyoto’s Ukyo Ward for a two-hour Zen workshop on an open-air riverside deck. A seasoned Zen instructor guides beginners through zazen, while an English-speaking cultural guide explains the practice and its place in daily life. Finish with premium Uji matcha and seasonal wagashi. The group is limited to 10 people.

“If you are thinking about doing this experience while in Kyoto, take this review as your sign that you should register right now. This has been the highlight of our trip, amongst some very notable experiences. Highly recommend!!!”

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3.Kyoto: Nighttime Zen Meditation and Matcha Tea Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 1h 30m · from $206

Spend 90 private minutes at Keishunin, a sub-temple of Myoshinji, with an English- or Chinese-speaking guide. Explore four illuminated gardens, the Sehakuan tea room, and Kano Sansetsu’s fusuma paintings. Deputy Chief Priest Yasumasa Arashima leads zazen, followed by matcha and a traditional Japanese sweet.

“One of the best activities that I did on this trip , worth it every penny!”

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4.Whisk Your Own Matcha: A Zen Matcha Experience at Temple

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 7 reviews · 45 min · from $32Best value

At this 45-minute Kyoto experience, English-speaking host Sakura explains the history and meaning of Japanese tea ceremony, then guides you as you whisk matcha with traditional tools. You will drink your tea with a traditional Kyoto sweet and receive a photo shoot. Check the meeting details carefully, since directions and venue clues have caused confusion.

“It was a disaster! We could not find the tea ceremony, japanese locals couldnt help us to find the place, nowhere was a sign! I hope I will get my money back!”

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