Explore the world of matcha and experience tea ceremony in a beautiful, 100 year old property surrounded by two traditional Japanese gardens. Located across the road from Ryoan-ji, our house has long been connected to this world famous temple, and our teahouse offers guest the utmost privacy, a moment of escape from the outside world. At the start of your session, your instructor will welcome you with a brief introduction to the history and culture surrounding tea in our sofa room overlooking the front garden. Here you'll enjoy seasonal sweets from one of Kyoto's most renowned confectioners. Next your host will move you to the tearoom itself where you'll watch an authentic tea ceremony with the main garden as backdrop. After being served tea you'll have the opportunity to make your own bowl of delicious matcha and will have plenty of time to ask questions and take photographs. During the tea ceremony we have chairs available for those who would prefer not to sit on the floor. We have a dedicated kimono dresser, so if you would like to dress in kimono for your experience please let us know on the checkout page. We look forward to welcoming you for an unforgettable time.
Very good with our two children who were not the best guests. Great explanation of tea ceremony. Wonderful way to do tea ceremony if you are travelling with children.
Wonderful experience for the entire family. We loved it! They were very knowledgeable and we left feeling very happy with our experience. It was relaxing and they were incredibly kind. Near the beautiful Japanese zen rock garden which was a very easy walk after Tea!
This was a lovely traditional experience in a very tranquil environment. We were able to learn and experience a traditional matcha making tea ceremony. Our hostess was very informative and gave us the opportunity to make tea ourselves. We’re very glad we added this to our visit to Kyoto! I highly recommend this experience.
Excellent experience!!! Highly recommend it! Time for us to enjoy the cerimony and learn a little bit about the culture.
They were so considerate in changing our time when we were running late. I unfortunately could not attend, but my sister and husband still attended the ceremony and said they had a wonderful time and learned a lot.
My husband and I came for the tea ceremony with Maki-san. I could tell she has studied and practiced the tea ceremony for a long time. Every movement was purposeful, with beauty peace respect and harmony shining thru each gesture. She taught us how to make having a morning cup of hot caffeine a mindful meditative practice which enhances your day and not slow you down. The beauty of the garden and the rooms add tranquility to the experience. I highly recommend.
Fabulous experience at the Camellia Garden Tea House, just a short walk from the beautiful Ryan-ji grounds. Our host, Norie, a 3rd generation tea ceremony practitioner, was the perfect guide for the skilled, contemplative practice of preparing, serving, and enjoying matcha. Her presentation was so elegant and generous. We came away with a better understanding of the art of this special tea and were appreciative of Norie’s patience and kindness with our questions. 10/10 recommend.
Beautiful and enlightening tea ceremony. Our hostess was extremely polite, well spoken (in English), and well educated in performing the tea ceremony. I highly recommend the individual, rather than group, ceremony as it is very tranquil and feels more personal. My family truly enjoyed the demonstration and the instruction in making our own tea. Highly recommend this. The home and garden were beautiful.
Our hostess was so pleasant and calm. She was a joy to watch and gave us a personal experience. The location of the Garden tea room was a little far, but we enjoyed it!
Simply amazing! This was such an incredible experience! Our tea practitioner was so knowledgeable! Definitely recommend!
This personal tea ceremony experience was wonderful! We learned all about the ceremony first and then had a chance to make our own matcha tea! Our hosts were very informative and explained the ceremony well. The location was quiet and relaxing! We really enjoyed it!
We had a wonderful experience at the tea house with our 12 & 17 year old kids. Our guide Norrie was excellent and taught us many things about the tea ceremony that we had not known. The ceremony itself was beautiful, knowing how much effort is put into every element of the ceremony and witnessing it was moving. Your guide choses a cup for each person attending which I thought was a lovely detail.
A delightful experience learning to make matcha tea. We would totally recommend this tour and this location.
We had a really nice time learning about the history of tea in Japan and learning about the tea ceremony with Yumiko. She was very lovely and friendly and answered our many questions. Really enjoyed the tea and mochi that was provided as well, everything was delicious. Would highly recommend the experience to anyone.
An absolute must do. This hour long relaxing experience felt like a few minutes. We learned a lot about this traditional ritual.
We really enjoyed the tea ceremony here. We learned a lot, felt very relaxed, and enjoyed being there. Experiencing the tea ceremony in an environment like the Garden Teahouse was very soothing, calming - something we really enjoyed. Norie-san was an amazing host. She was so kind, helpful and clear in explaining everything, especially with our son in helping him make the tea. I definitely recommend this place. The combination of the people, plus the environment made the tea ceremony a really amazing experience.
We really loved this experience. Our guide Mike was really knowledgeable and calm! It was a reading time in a busy holiday.
My partner and I had an incredible experience at this tea ceremony! What a lovely way to experience Japanese culture! We would highly recommend this experience to all travellers to Kyoto
This was one of the highlights of our time in Japan. Our host (we missed her name, she was lovely, wore an autumn leaf kimono and is from Osaka) was an absolute treasure - she was delightful and knowledgable and lovely to talk to and she made our entire day. She was a beautiful conversationalist and the tea ceremony moved me to tears with its intentionality and purpose. Whole-heartedly recommend this experience!
This was absolutely amazing and beyond worth the price. It was so nice to learn about japanese tea making and the host was so so so nice! It was a moving experience
The ceremony was lovely and explained in perfect English. Then we were allowed to make our own tea and given sweets to eat with it.
I had a really great time with Atsuko san during the tea ceremony. It was a great time for understanding, learning and respect. The tea house is absolutely amazing with a nice view on the traditional Japanese garden. The energy is the house is very good and zen. More than a tea ceremony, it was a good encounter with Atsuko san, like I appreciate having during my travels.
I am writing this review, as a resident living in Japan, in hopes in the near future, the time would come when pharma research and development having prevailed over covid19, thus return of global tourism back in Kyoto. Have visited Camellia Garden with my elementary school aged Daughter. Currently Camellia provides a fully private and social distancing measure implemented Tea Ceremony experience(as of end Dec 2021). The Garden Tea house, which is a 100 years old traditional architecture, with a beutiful and cozy Japanese garden, is located nearby the Golden Temple of Kyoto (approx. ten minutes distance by Bus. or if you are unsure of direction, simply catch a taxi from the Temple). With a dedicated UraSenke Style Tea Ceremony Staff, of whom was very kind to my daughter, with a family like omotenashi, myself and my daughter did very much enjoyed this memorable tea experiece. Thankyou Camellia (Mizufune Sensei) for your hospitality during our visit. FYI, Camellia also partners with a Kimono rental service(at a separate location and separate fee). Meaning, if you are interested in Japanese traditional tea ceremony, while whearing a Kimono, and like to visit a traditonal Japanese architectural Tea house with a cozy garden, Camellia Garden might be a good candidate (all in one package). As a trip plan, for instance, visit the Golden Temple or other nearby Temples in the morning, and later in the day, relax and enjoy your moment with your kids, family, or friends (or by youself is OK too) by visiting Camellia Garden. ref. photo attached, my daughter learning how to make authentic Japanese tea.
Everything about this experience was amazing. A beautiful ceremony to be apart of. Our host, Nao, was informative, funny, and kind. She spoke excellent English as well. The location was beautiful and tranquil. We plan on coming back again with family in the future. It is a must stop of you plan on visiting kyoto. Thank you again for the excellent time!
We really enjoyed this activity. It is not only a window on culture, but also a moment of calm, an invitation to live fully the present moment in calm and serenity. The young man who accompanied us for this experience (unfortunately I forgot his name, apologies) was just perfect. He really embodied the spirit of the ceremony. Good job!
That was really an experience. Great tea ceremony with lots of explanations in a real Japanese tea house with a calming garden, very authentic and a real treat for body and soul. We were in the garden house and had a private ceremony. No tourist trap!
We had a private tea session and it was really perfect. Living this experience is just unforgettable, you really feel respect for traditions, super captivating and spiritual, I highly recommend living this moment:)
An enchanted break in a place that embodies tranquility and serenity. 1 hour of concentration on the art of tea and its history in Japan, sublimated by Keiko. We leave filled with incredible wisdom, kindness, purity and relaxation. Thank you for this generosity and sharing, Keiko, we are not about to forget this magical moment. We bring back in our suitcases your soft voice and your look at us resolutely empathetic. Thank you for sharing what you do Keiko because you do it very well. To have received this moment of sharing is an honor.
We enjoyed a private tea ceremony and were completely delighted. There was a very friendly reception, afterwards we were dressed in a summer kimono (extra booking necessary) and the tea ceremony began. After the ceremony, to which a sweet dish was served, we were allowed to make our own tea. A great experience and a beautiful place. Thank you.
Away from the daily hustle and bustle, we had a very luxurious time in a lovely garden and quiet. They said you could take photos freely, but I was amazed by Maya's beautiful gestures. The tea and sweets were very good. I think it's a great place to start if you're interested in the tea ceremony.
The experience of the green tea ceremony exceeded my expectations. Before class, I didn’t know that the green tea ritual involved the deepest meanings of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. This is exactly what I was going to look for on a solo trip to Kyoto. Thank you so much Maya for letting me know about the history of green tea and letting me know how to live in the present with green tea. Maya was very friendly and patient to explain the details to me. Thanks again for her welcome.
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