Stressful start: my husband was not able to come to the ceremony, I brought a friend, But she was not permitted to participate, though it was paid for two people
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Kimono dressing
- Traditional Matcha (tea)
- 3 digital photos (sent via email after the tour)
- An English-speaking tea master
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- 【Meeting Point】GION ORIZURUYA Located in a traditional townhouse on a narrow, car-free alley. Look for the white fabric curtain (Noren) at the entrance. Once inside, please provide your name to the receptionist.
Return
- 【Meeting Point】GION ORIZURUYA Located in a traditional townhouse on a narrow, car-free alley. Look for the white fabric curtain (Noren) at the entrance. Once inside, please provide your name to the receptionist.
Itinerary
【Gion Location】Meeting Point: GION ORIZURUYA Located in central Gion, steps from Yasaka Shrine and walking distance to Kiyomizu-dera. The perfect starting point for Kyoto stroll. Located in a traditional townhouse on a narrow, car-free alley. You will see a white fabric curtain (Noren) at the entrance. Once inside, please provide your name to the receptionist.
【Nishiki Market Location】Meeting Point: Nishiki Orizuruya Traditional townhouse tea ceremony by Nishiki Market. A perfect cultural break for foodies and shoppers in central Kyoto. Please enter the traditional Japanese townhouse "Nishiki Orizuruya". You will see a large sign and our green board "Japan Wonder Travel" at the entrance. Once inside, please provide your name to the receptionist.
- You will be escorted to the dressing room to choose your favorite kimono to dress. (ONLY at Nishiki Market Location: You can enjoy exploring the city in your kimono until 6:00 PM on the same day!) - Enjoy watching a tea ceremony demonstration by an English-speaking tea master. Then you will learn how to make your own Matcha. Have your Match with sweets. - Our professional photographer will capture 3 memorial photos of you -As your souvenir, 3 photos will be sent to you digitally by e-mail after the experience.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Had a wonderful time. Great experience!!!!
My family and I had such a lovely experience at this tea ceremony. We were able to pick out kimonos that came in a variety of sizes. We were helped to put on the kimono and our hair was also done by the staff with beautiful pins. The staff took many pictures of us. After the tea ceremony we were able to stay in our kimonos and walk around town to take pictures and then we returned the kimonos back by 6 o’clock. I would definitely recommend having your tea ceremony here.
We had a wonderful time and highly recommend this. We will never forget this experience. Wearing the kimonos was magical. We loved what they did with our hair. The photos were wonderful (they also take them with your cellphone). The tea ceremony was enjoyable and educational. Everyone was extremely kind.
Great knowledge , fun and personable ,, had a great time highly recommend
We had a wonderful time at the Tea Ceremony and photo shoot. The kimonos were gorgeous and the staff did a great job with helping us getting dressed and doing our hair. The tea ceremony was interesting and the photos turned out great.
We had a wonderful experience taking part in the tea ceremony and couple photoshoot. From the very beginning, the staff were incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive. Their excellent English made everything easy to understand and allowed us to fully enjoy the experience without any language barriers. They were always available to answer our questions and made us feel comfortable throughout the entire session. What made this experience truly special was the way the tea ceremony was explained. We did not simply observe a tradition, we learned about its history, symbolism, and deeper meaning. Thanks to the detailed explanations, we gained a much greater appreciation and understanding of Japanese culture. We now find ourselves recognizing many of the customs and values behind Japanese traditions and appreciating their significance in a way we could not before. The photoshoot was also fantastic. The photographer was professional, patient, and skilled, capturing beautiful memories that we will cherish for years to come. We highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Japan. It is not only a beautiful cultural activity but also an enriching opportunity to better understand and appreciate the traditions that make Japan so unique.
Thank you for this experience that immersed me in true Japanese tradition and culture, led by very patient and gentle people.
Great experience for a family
The experience at the place was wonderful. Unfortunately JapanWonderTravel who is the agency who booked out trip through Viator messed up. 30 min to go they sent a note that they are cancelling and refunding the money. I got on the phone with them and they apologized for cancelling so suddenly. Nothing much we could do. The people at the location squeezed us into another slot. So if JapanWonderTravel is booking you, be careful as they confirmed our modified reservations 2 weeks prior and still messed up 30 min before the event.
Amazing experience! The lovely ladies help dress you in a kimono with the pattern and colors you want. Then you walk over to the tea room and after you have about an hour to walk around the city and take pictures in your outfit.
Whole thing was well organized and did not feel rushed, which I was concerned about based on some others comments. The kimono outfits were great and all looked in great condition. Once changed we had a hand cleansing, then went to the room for the tea ceremony. The ceremony was explained perfectly and all questions answered. My only criticism of the whole thing was the quality of the photos as direct flash was used. But this really did not dampen the event as I took many photos myseff and the staff helped take many photos with my phone of me and my wife. Overall a great memorable experience and definitely recommended.
They had a good selection of casual kimonos (no formal kimonos) and the staff were really helpful in helping me dress. I thought it would be a session with other people but turned out my friends and I had a private session, which was pleasant surprise. The tea master was great but he couldn't have been a bit more friendly or cheerful. Also, we found the ceremony quite awkward because we wasn't sure how much time we had for each activity (sweet tasting, tea tasting, photoshoots). I wish we had more time to practice or ask questions. They were really nice to let us go out with the kimonos so we could take more photos on our own.
Make sure you can receive your photos from them via email. Also, for women, you will have to kneel on the floor and not sit Indian style. Kneeling can be a little challenging for older women. They do have two chairs and tables. If you have more than 2 people in the group then the others would have to kneel. Otherwise, it was a nice experience. They dressed us in a kimono and did our hair. Nicely done! Loved it!
Just wonderful! All the staff are amazing. From the staff that greet you to the ones who help you dress and do your hair ( ladies), to the photographers and the person who does the actual tea ceremony. You get to learn the history and process of the tea ceremony and then make your own tea. You can actually wear the kimono well into the early evening if you wish to walk around Kyoto. We chose not to as it was pouring with rain . The ceremony itself is very peaceful and informative. There are little stools available for people who aren’t comfortables sitting on their knees or cross legged.
It was very lovely! The tea master showed us the ritual and explain very good about the ceremony! I loved the fact that we wear the kimonos which you have a variety to choose from! I will go back again
Such a fun experience. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Getting dressed up in a kimono was an amazing fun experience and I had no idea I would love it so much. The tea ceremony was a great educational experience and I enjoyed it very much.
We had an immersive, and very interesting experience learning about Japanese tea traditions. It was unexpectedly meditative. I highly recommend for anyone looking to learn about historical Japanese traditions and culture.
Wonderful experience. Friendly staff and clean atmosphere! I had an amazing time. Everything was great , very spiritual & calm atmosphere. Thank you very much for this wonderful experience.
I got lazy & booked a tea experience through a big tour aggregate, so I’m not sure why I was expecting something super authentic & special. The ceremony itself was lovely & our tea master could not have been nicer. That part gets 5 stars! But all in all, including getting dressed + the photoshoot at the end, it was two hours long & the ceremony itself was only 20 minutes. It just felt like a massive waste of time when we could be out in Kyoto seeing the sights. Also, the location (although everyone truly could not have been sweeter, I can’t stress that enough) felt very corporate. Definitely felt like a place for LARPing vs having an authentic experience. If this is your thing, go for it! But just ask yourself if it’s something you’d actually enjoy or if you should do a little more legwork to find a better fit.
Loved the kimono choices, dressing up and help with accessories. The ceremony was lovely. We paid for a professional photographer. What we got was very amateur. My arm and shoulder were cut off in several photos. Lighting was not good. Definitely not worth the cost.
Thank you for the magnificent experience. From the dressing in kimono and making my hair to an absolutely memorable experience of preparing and tasting matcha. The team is friendly any time ready to help. My first tea ceremony went perfect. A little origami and professional photos were a great presents at the end.
I enjoyed the experience of the Matcha Tea Ceremony inside a long-established Kyoto house—it started by wearing the traditional Japanese Kimono. There were various patterns and colors to choose from, and the staff was kind to give recommendations on which one suits the best. With the staff's assistance wearing the kimono and getting adornments on my hair only took a few minutes, leaving plenty of time for taking pictures inside the house. They have many props and Japanese artifacts so you can take a beautiful traditional picture for your memories. In my case, the photographs were taken with my phone's camera, so I recommend bringing a good phone or professional camera to get the best of the experience. The next part was the tea ceremony, which took around 20 minutes. We were led to a different room with "tatami" or a special Japanese floor. The ceremony is originally done sitting in seiza, a sitting position with your legs tucked in that can be painful after a while. But for this event, they allowed us to use special chairs to avoid being uncomfortable throughout the ceremony. Every part of the experience was done in English, all the staff are very good at speaking the language and explaining everything. The tea ceremony teacher was very professional in explaining the meaning of [茶道], "The way of tea" and why it is such a big part of Japanese culture. We were instructed on how to properly drink and prepare matcha tea too. This felt like a traditional experience to appreciate Japan. After the ceremony, there was time to take more pictures and walk around Kyoto in Kimono. Overall this was a good experience to have, it made me feel closer to Japanese beliefs, history, and way of life.
I had a blast at the tea ceremony! The staff were super friendly and helpful, which made the experience even better. We got to join the tea ceremony while dressed in a kimono or yukata that we picked out ourselves, complete with accessories. The whole process of making and enjoying matcha was fun and memorable, thanks to the great instructions we received. The tea server was so elegant and graceful—watching her prepare the matcha was really impressive.
Despite the rain, I decided to take a bus to attend a tea ceremony. Dressed in a kimono and with an elegant hairstyle, I was ready to immerse myself in the world of ancient traditions. The journey led me to a place where I witnessed the beauty of Japanese culture. We ascended to the heart of the ceremony, where we prepared matcha tea with our own hands. . It was truly unforgettable and inspiring. The staff is very friendly. Everything is at the highest level. I highly recommend visiting this wonderful place
All the staffs are so friendly!You can experience the tea culture of Japan and wear beautiful kimono.The place is quiet close to Kinkakuji and Gion street.
My very first time participating in the tea ceremony in Kimono. The ceremony was enjoyable with meaningful explanation. After the ceremony, it is allowed to go out in Kimono to take some pictures around. All staffs were friendly and helped me take pictures a lot. They also speak English well and welcome their guests professionally. I received a nice picture of me as a souvenir from them. It was an unforgettable experience for me and highly recommended to experience.
I have been to a Japanese tea ceremony a few times but this was my first-time wearing a kimono. Enjoying the tea ceremony in a tranquil environment while wearing a kimono is simply exciting. The staff were so friendly, attentive and very good at spoken English. I highly recommend experiencing the Japanese tea ceremony here.
It was a peaceful and enjoyable time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. All staffs are very friendly and welcoming. Not only did they help me put on a yukata, but also did my hair in a blink. The tea ceremony done by a tea master was amazing. She taught us how to make matcha tea and we did it by our own. The location was wonderful for both experience and taking pictures.
This store is very nice and provides many beautiful Kimono for us. My friends and I enjoy it a lot! U could wear a Kimono for photography outside the store.
i was a bit nervous because i planned to go solo. When i arrived there, it was a total different experience and every staffs there were really patient and can communicative really well. The kimono there are really colourful and beautiful. My favourite was the hairstyle they did after wearing kimono. The tea ceramony was also very elegant. We also got to make our own macha which was the first ever in my life and the japanese snack there was amazing. Thank you for the experience. I wish to have more places like this in japan with this elegance hospitility!
We had a lovely experience! First, my partner and I were separated to go to the dressing room. The staff was very friendly in helping me pick a kimono and then they did my hair beautifully, for which I got to pick the decorations as well. After getting changed, there was plenty of time to take pictures in the building, which has lots of nice backdrops. We were also allowed to use props, like a katana and a fan. Then it was time for the tea ceremony. Again, the staff was super friendly and helpful. The English explanation was very informative, and the tea and sweet snack were delicious! Finally, we were allowed to go out in our kimonos, so we had a lot of fun taking pictures outside. So all in all, a very enjoyable experience, I highly recommend!
I had an amazing experience, all down to the incredibly welcoming and warm staff. It can feel daunting for many tourists to do traditional experiences at risk of doing something “wrong”. However, staff were so helpful and guide you through each step of the way. This was my second time trying kimono and there were several small details which made the experience very comfortable for foreign tourists, such as the underdress for extra modesty and the instructions from the staff dressing you. The room where the tea ceremony took place was beautiful, it felt authentic and traditional. The staff were extremely knowledgeable and I could learn a lot while enjoying the peace and tranquility. I visited alone and staff were kind to welcome me and offer to take photos of me. I absolutely recommend it - especially to other solo female travellers.
I really enjoyed this experience. All staffs are very friendly and supportive. I was really satisfied I could chose the best design of Kimono with a staff. Tea ceremony was quiet and calm I enjoyed that moment. The instructor lectured us to make own Matcha. After that, I had photo shoot in a tea room. This experience was memorable and Instagrammable!! Highly recommended;)
All of the staff was well-organized, friendly, and helpful. They took care of our yukata and hairstyles in the blink of an eye! There is plenty enough selection of women's yukata and hair accessories. The tea ceremony master was kind and gave a clear explanation of the Japanese tea ceremony. We also got to try to prepare our matcha by ourselves. After, we got a chance for a stroll outside in our yukata, complete with geta and other accessories as well. Everyone spoke good English. Highly recommended!
As other reviews suggest, this place is awesome! Friendly English speaking staff, great location, and well thought packages. After getting dressed with the help of staff, the location is perfect for taking pictures and they take as many pictures for you as you want. You can also walk outside and return the kimono later. The ceremony itself was informative and explained in details. Highly recommend .
Beautiful and so gorgeous experience!! Every details and service was amazing and more than i expected! The way they lead and choose my yukata, everything were so elegantly and nice ! Especially their english explanation about tea ceremony more details than i thought and makes ny heart calm while enjoying the high quality matcha they served. So amazing and perfect service!!! Will never forget this beautiful experience!! Thank you so much ! 😆
Best tea ceremony experience I've ever had. All of them are fluently speaking in English with full of smile and properly led us to wear yukata. We can choose the yukata and obi that we like and they professionally put on us. They even set up our hairstyle to match the yukata. The tea tasted very authentic and served with Wagashi. Tea room is very traditional Japanese style which I love it so much. So worth to try!
The whole experience was amazingly done by a capable tea master and a kimono expert. The matcha was delicious and I could even have the experience of serving one cup of tea myself. I personally love wagashi and the one served at the event was carefully selected for the current season. Sadly, I had to take away a big minus point for the telephone reservation service. It was my fault for not making a reservation beforehand as is the norm, but the rebuke from the phone attendant was vexing, to say the least. I’d love to see them improve at this point. I went on June 16th in the morning. Name’s Téo Ferreira Dias
This is my first time doing tea ceremony with kimono. First of all, the staff helped me to wear the kimono. Don't worry there are plenty of kimono choices and all of them are beautiful. After changing the clothes and wearing a kimono, the staff assisted the guests to wear the hair decoration. Even though I wear hijab, I still could wear one of the flower accessories. Done with the kimono, the staff explained how to wash our hands according to Japanese way, which is very unique. Then the real ceremony started. I could feel the tranquility and harmony during the process, especially when watching our tea master do her tea. It is a very calming experience. Our tea master also explained to us the philosophy behind this and the manner when conducting the ceremony. All done in English and very easy to understand. In addition to drinking the tea, we also eat the wagashi (Japanese sweets). It's halal and gluten-free too. After ceremony done I still had some time to take pictures with my kimono around the area. The staff also send me the photo after the event is done. Overall, this activity is educative, soothing, and fun. Recommend it to those who will go to Kyoto and love cultural experience.
The staff were really understanding and helpful, they all speak English, and were very kind. They help you understand and fell their culture, it’s a must do here in Kyoto! Also the building is astonishing, and the rooms filled with tatamis and tradicional Japanese art were beautiful, they even have a special chair so you can sit like the etiquette, but without getting your legs hurt.
This was absolutely wonderful! I went with a friend and we did the kimono and tea ceremony experience. Everyone was very welcoming and nice. The place itself was tidy and extremely well organized and they walk you through every step of the process from dressing in kimono to the history and participation in the tea ceremony. I would definitely go back.
I recently went to a tea ceremony, and it was fantastic. The setting was peaceful, the host was very knowledgeable, and the tea tasted amazing. It was a relaxing and unique experience. Highly recommend it!
The experience has been wonderful from the start to the end. All staff members, and there were plenty, were super friendly, kind and attentive, engaging in conversations and really making us feel welcomed! There were many Kimonos to pic from and the ladies were happy to help us in choosing and arranging the Kimono, Obi and hair accessories for the perfect outfit. While waiting for the tea ceremony to start, they also proactively offered to take pictures of us with our phones to have lots of memories from our experience! The tea ceremony is taking place in the second floor of the establishment, in a beautiful Tatami room. There again we were greeted by another kind staff member, our tea ceremony master. We received a thorough explanation of this Japanese art and could watch the expert demonstration done by our host! The Japanese sweets, the wagashi, were really delicious and have been picked seasonally. After that, we got to try making our own matcha tea and again were guided by our host and additional staff on how to do that! In the end, we did the professional photoshoot with yet another dedicated staff member inside the beautiful tea room! Once the experience is over, you can also venture out of the tea house and take a walk around Kyoto with your Kimono. All in all, I really enjoyed my time here and it is a must do for anyone wanting to experience traditional Japanese arts and/or wanting to experience wearing a Japanese Kimono! A special thank you goes to all the dedicated and welcoming staff members that made this experience so unforgettable!
Today I attended a tea ceremony. The place where we were initiated into this secret ceremony is located in the very center of Kyoto. Near Nishchiki market. The tea ceremony was an amazing experience for me. The master spoke in detail and showed everything. Then she gave us the opportunity to make our own tea. Before the ceremony, we were fitted for kimonos. We were completely immersed in Japanese culture. And we could also take fantastic photos in Gion. I received a lot of wonderful emotions and experiences. Thank you.
Very welcoming setting. We were invited in early and dressed quickly. It was a very nice set up and the good English speaking helped the family understand the process. The tea ceremony was interesting and felt authentic. Enjoyed going through the ritual and learning the process All in all, it delivered a fun and memorable experience
I got to learn more about the Japanese culture and the correlation around the famous Matcha tea. It was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.
The tea ceremony experience was fun. You get to change in a kimono and learn how to prepare a matcha tea. All the hosts were very pleasant and polite. A professional photographer was also present to take photos. It was a short ceremony but it was perfect for me and my family.
I went alone and thoroughly enjoyed myself! I didn’t know anything about Chadou so I didn’t know what to expect but it was a pleasant surprise. First of all I expected it to be more of an art procedure to carry out, it felt more like a meditation. It’s very quiet and over quickly. It was a nice pause in the day as I’ve been running around so much. The staff were super friendly and chatty, they offered to take my pictures a bunch and asked if I wanted to wear the kimono around town a bit before taking it off. I recommend this because the studio photo they send you afterwards isn’t the best hahaha so make sure you get some photos yourself.
A perfect arrangement of tea ceremony and kimono experience. They choose the best place for you to enjoy Japanese culture. Not to mention how good the services that provided in English. Excellent!
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