Viator Rating : 5 (903 reviews)
Kyoto
Kyoto Kimono Tea Ceremony: Culture & Matcha
90
Overview
Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI, offers a unique chance to experience Japanese culture firsthand. This award-winning experience, a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner for 4 consecutive years, invites guests into an authentic traditional townhouse (machiya) to participate in a real Japanese tea ceremony in a tatami room.
Participants will learn about the history, etiquette, and significance behind the tools, movements, and traditions of the tea ceremony guided by a professional tea master. They will even get to prepare their own bowl of matcha using high-quality green tea. To enhance the experience, elegant kimonos are available for rental, with staff assistance to ensure a refined appearance for both men and women.
This cultural journey includes hairstyling, green tea, kimono rental, utensils, and snacks. Please note that transportation and hotel pickup/drop-off are not included. Note that children under 6 are not permitted, and tripods are not allowed during the ceremony. 
Highlights
Award-Winning Experience: Enjoy a tea ceremony recognized by Tripadvisor's Travelers’ Choice Award for 4 years.
Authentic Setting: Participate in a tea ceremony in a traditional Japanese townhouse (machiya).
Kimono Included: Wear a beautiful kimono during the ceremony, with dressing assistance provided.
Learn Japanese Culture: Discover the etiquette, history, and traditions of the Japanese tea ceremony.
Prepare Your Own Matcha: Make your own bowl of matcha under the guidance of a tea master.
Small Group Setting: Enjoy an intimate experience with a small group.
Sentiment Analysis
Customers enjoyed learning about the history and traditions of the tea ceremony.
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Many reviewers appreciated the opportunity to wear a kimono and take photos.
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Guests found the tea master to be informative and engaging.
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Some visitors loved the hands-on experience of preparing their own matcha.
Some reviewers felt that the ceremony could be crowded.
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A few guests wished there was more time for photos.
The Journey
Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI
An authentic traditional townhouse (machiya) in Kyoto where the tea ceremony is held. It provides a traditional setting with tatami rooms for an immersive cultural experience.
Tatami Room
A traditional Japanese room with tatami flooring where the tea ceremony takes place, offering an authentic cultural experience.
Know Before You Go
This Kimono Tea Ceremony includes hairstyling, green tea, a kimono costume, utensils, and snacks. It excludes transportation and hotel pickup and drop-off. The meeting point is at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI. Children under 6 are not permitted and Tripods are not allowed during the ceremony.
Hot Tip
Many visitors recommend arriving early to choose from the widest selection of kimonos and take plenty of photos before and after the ceremony.
Review Summary
Customers find this experience to be a highly authentic and memorable introduction to Japanese culture, combining the beauty of traditional kimono dress with an educational tea ceremony. The staff are frequently praised for their kindness, professionalism, and detailed explanations that enrich the understanding of tea etiquette and history. Many travelers appreciate the comfortable, vintage machiya setting and the added value of hair styling and photo opportunities. Minor negatives sometimes mentioned include concerns about the formality level compared to more traditional ceremonies and potential accessibility limitations due to the historic venue layout.
Frequently Asked Questions
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