A Taste You’ll Love—Uji Matcha.
This powdered green tea packs a punch! And its beloved throughout the world for the robust flavor it lends to various desserts and candies. But have you ever drunk a bowl of pure matcha? Better yet, have you ever tried it in Kyoto, a place renowned for the tea ceremony? 

The first record of tea drinking in Japan dates back to around 1,200 years ago, when the custom was introduced to the Japanese aristocracy by scholarly monks returning from China. It is believed that tea cultivation in Japan began around this time, and Zen Master Eisai (1141-1215), also known as Yōsai, played a significant role in popularizing tea in Japan during his lifetime. 

Over the years, tea consumption in Japan evolved into a cultural tradition known as the Japanese tea ceremony, also called sadō, chadō, or chanoyu. During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), tea ceremonies became a popular way for hosts to entertain guests through the meticulous preparation and presentation of tea, sweets, and sometimes meals.

Why Kyoto is the Perfect Place for Your Very First Tea Ceremony Experience

Kyoto is the perfect place for tea ceremony experiences for several reasons. As the heart of Japan's tea culture, Kyoto is home to Kosan-ji Temple, believed to have the country’s first tea field. The city also boasts numerous teahouses that warmly welcome those interested in this cultural tradition.

Three of the most prominent schools of the tea ceremony were founded by descendants of Sen no Rikyū, the renowned tea master, right here in Kyoto. While these schools each have slightly different styles of preparation and etiquette, they all embody the spirit of Japanese hospitality, adhering to core principles of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

Under Sen no Rikyū's influence, the tea ceremony has been refined over time and elevated to an art form. Below are three places conveniently located near HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto. Be sure to make a tea ceremony reservation during your stay.

An Authentic Experience for Beginners at Camellia Tea Ceremony

Camellia Tea Ceremony is a great place to experience your first tea ceremony! I reserved the shared tea ceremony experience (4,000 yen per person) online at their Flower Teahouse, which is conveniently located in a machiya (traditional wooden townhouse) in Ninenzaka. This is a must-see sightseeing area, which is near enough to HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto that it’s probably in your travel plans already. 

Upon arriving at Camellia, guests take off their shoes and are escorted into a waiting area, where you can look at, and contemplate purchasing, some of your own tea ceremony implements and tea bowls. The display was beautiful and just a glimpse at what was to come. After a few minutes, guests were escorted up to a tea room, an unassuming tatami mat room, decorated with a hanging scroll and seasonal flowers. 

In the tea room, guests were seated on small cushions while the host shared beginner-friendly information about the tea ceremony. She then demonstrated it for us. Her calm, precise movements brought an air of tranquility to the room as we watched her serve one cup of tea. Then it was our turn! The host painstakingly showed us how to make a delicious cup of tea and observe the essential etiquette in a tea room. 

Everything at Camellia was in English and easy to understand, from the booking to the instructions on how to get there to the host’s instructions during the ceremony, making it the perfect window into the world of tea. The experience was educational, calming, and invigorating at the same time. It’s amazing how effectively the tea ceremony manages to both calm the mind and awaken the senses, much like meditation. I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

Camellia also offers private ceremonies starting from 8,000 yen per person and kimono rentals for those interested in something more.

Camellia Flower Teahouse

Address: 349-12 Masuya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Website: https://tea-kyoto.com

Tea Ceremony Experiences with Maiko at AN KYOTO Japanese Culture Experience

There are many more places in Kyoto that offer unique tea ceremony experiences that you can participate in.

For example, AN KYOTO Japanese Culture Experience, which is within walking distance from HOTEL TAVINOS Kyoto, offers a wide variety of tea ceremony options, some of which include Japanese Traditional sweets making workshops or tea ceremonies with a maiko (geisha in training). You can select an option that fits your budget and interests. If you want to see how matcha is ground or to make sweets with edible flowers, that’s an option! AN KYOTO Japanese Culture Experience is an outstanding tea ceremony venue offering an amazing variety of programs—plus, they provide chairs!

AN KYOTO Japanese Culture Experience

Address: BELK Karasuma 2F, 135 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 
Website: https://kyoto.nipponbunkan.com/en

Tea Ceremony Experiences with Kimono at Maikoya

Maikoya, which also offers special bookings with maiko, operates in two locations within Kyoto, one in Gion and the other in Nishiki. They both offer kimono rentals and other special add-ons which can be booked with your tea ceremony, like visits to the Kyoto Samurai & Ninja Museum with Experience. 

Both AN KYOTO Japanese Culture Experience and Maikoya are located in stunningly beautiful machiya which are officially registered cultural properties. You can gaze at their picturesque Japanese gardens while enjoying your tea.

Maikoya

[Nishiki Store]
Address: 329, Ebiyacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
[Gion Kiyomizu Store]
Adress: 100, Rokurocho, Matsubara-dori Yamatooji Higashi iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Website: https://mai-ko.com/culture/tea-ceremony/

💡Tip:
Although most locations can accept same-day bookings, they are often full. Please make your reservation far in advance, especially if you would like to reserve a tea ceremony with a maiko. 

Writer

Maisie McPherson
Originally from the United States, Maisie has called the Kansai region of Japan home for nearly two decades. She enjoys seeking out the charms of life in Japan and sharing that information with visitors from overseas. She also loves marveling at retro architecture and design from the Showa period, exploring Japanese gardens, and is always up for a night out in a lively izakaya.