Kyoto

Traditional Tea Ceremony wearing a Kimono in Kyoto MAIKOYA

Badge of ExcellenceKyoto, Japan
  • 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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Overview

If you’re visiting Japan for the first time, receive a cultural introduction to the country during a tea ceremony in traditional kimonos. During the ceremony, learn about Japanese history and sample matcha green tea, a local specialty. Plus, wearing a traditional kimono means you leave the experience with fantastic photographs to commemorate your time in Kyoto.
  • Combine two integral parts of Japanese culture during your time in Kyoto
  • Experience a tea ceremony for a first-hand cultural experience
  • Wear a traditional kimono to enhance your experience
  • Receive personalized attention in a small group limited to eigh people

Sample Menu

Dessert

wagashi &matcha

What's Included

  • Kimono costume
  • Green tea
  • Utensils
  • Hairstyling (simple style)
  • Snacks
  • Transportation
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • KIMONO TEA CEREMONY KYOTO MAIKOYA at NISHIKI
    329 Ebiyachō, Gokomachi-dori Sanjo sagaru, 329 海老屋町 中京区 京都市 京都府 604-8076, Japan

    From Hankyu Kawaramachi Station, take Exit 9 and go west (right) Go to and when you see Lacoste on your right, turn right at that corner. This street is Gokomachi street. Please walk about 5 minutes. Maikoya is a traditional Japanese building on the left side of the road.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Make your own way to the tea ceremony’s Kyoto location. After meeting your expert tea master host and small group of fellow travelers, choose from a beautiful selection of kimonos to wear and (for the ladies) get your hair and makeup done to match your kimono. Once you are ready, take a seat Japanese-style on the tatami floor for the tea ceremony.

While explaining the history and significance of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, your host guides you through each of the steps and utensils and teaches you how to make your own matcha green tea using high-quality matcha powder. End your experience sipping tea accompanied by *wagashi* sweets.

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Children under 7 can not enter the tea ceremony venue. If you have a child under 7 in your party, you can not make the reservation for this experience.
  • You can reserve maximum 5 people from Viator however we accept any other booking site and there will be more participants in your experience
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 5 travelers
Operated by Maikoya

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
Karina_B
This was a remarkable experience and I highly recommend it. The educational experience of learning about the history and meaning of the tea ceremony, coupled with the kimono experience was a highlight of our day.

Reviews

5.0
490 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 490 reviews
Unique, authentic experience!
Tyler_C, Apr 2024
Full tea ceremony experience with matcha, small treats, kimonos, and time to enjoy the gardens after
Pretty commercialized
Pia_S, Mar 2024
It was very commercialized. I felt forgotten two times since it was a bit chaotic and busy. Sometimes we were standing around not really knowing what is supposed to happen. The women working there were almost all kind and the tea master herself did an amazing job. However, it was quite noisy while the ceremony happened. There was enough time for pictures to be taken and my group size was just fine. If you already wore a kimono and know a thing or two about the tea ceremony or made matcha I wouldn't recommend it.
Be beautiful and relax
Bianca_B, Mar 2024
Relaxing tea experience. Had fun learning about the tea ceremony even though I don't fully garps the art. Wearing up and taking photo was fun. There is a lot of staff to take care of you and they are fast and food at what they do. I look amazing.
Highly recommend even for solo travellers
Liam_G, Mar 2024
Fantastic experience even as a solo traveller. Nice and friendly staff that explained everything clearly.
Great experience!
Allison_F, Mar 2024
Great experience. Highly recommend if you are visiting Kyoto. They do a wonderful job explaining the tea ceremony and let you pick your kimono and do a simple updo. Lots of time to take pictures in the gardens before and after.
Amazing experience
Kelsey_K, Mar 2024
This was such a cool experience. We loved dressing up in kimonos. Definitely a highlight of our trip! Highly recommend
Fabulous!
Tiffany_M, Mar 2024
The staff is kind and accommodating. They helped me when I had a situation during the ceremony. Their English was just what I needed to understand what I should be doing. They allowed for lots of pictures. It was a great experience and I would recommend to anyone.
Japanese Tea Hostess with the Mostest!
Tamara_S, Mar 2024
I had so much fun at this tea! I will say check-in was a little bumpy as the reception area is small and the tour was full, but from the time I entered the dressing area the ladies were so accommodating as they helped me get ready. I have locs and was a little worried they wouldn’t be able to style my hair but the lady jumped right in and did a beautiful job! I felt very cared for. As a plus size woman I was also concerned about kimono sizes but they had a wide range. The tea itself was absolutely divine and the hostess gave key information on the tradition and its significance. All in all I would definitely recommend this tour!
Wonderful Kimono Tea Experience!
Melissa_S, Mar 2024
Loved the Kimono experience. The women help you get ready and even do your hair! Lots of time for taking photos in the garden before and after tea. Maria our tea host was fabulous and explained everything so well. Our sweet treat and matcha were delicious. great ambiance and wonderful friendly people. be prepared to sit on floor as is traditional. They will offer a stool if needed.
Amazing with 1 downsides
Cecilia_T, Mar 2024
The entire experience was amazing. The actually tea ceremonies was fun yet traditional. Dressing up in the kamona was an experience to remember. If there were any downside side it was that i have short hair & the gals didn’t even try to “dress” it up.
Nice experience but not personalised
Kara_E, Mar 2024
It was a nice experience to dress up in an kimono however it did feel like a production line. There were alternating groups every 30 minutes or so and the tea ceremony was quite quick, to then change out of the kimono. I would not recommend it.
Enjoyable experience!
Rumi_P, Mar 2024
I’m Japanese and from my point of view, the staff are all friendly and attentive, the instructor explains the process well and provides interesting history and facts about the world famous “matcha” and the tea ceremony. We were in the group of 8, which was reasonable size. My boyfriend enjoyed it very much. Kimono selection was pretty good and staff works amazingly fast even with all types of hair! Prob total of 15 min pp. They know what they are doing. Great place overall.
Recommend this experience!
Rebekah_L, Mar 2024
I had such a wonderful time! I loved the process of getting made over with hair and getting dressed in a kimono. The staff was super friendly and sweet. We learned about historical Japanese tea ceremonies and followed some of the traditions. We ate two delicious snacks, learned how to make fresh matcha tea, and did a zen meditation. I will remember this forever. 100% recommend.
This is the right place for a unique ceremonial tea experience while dressed in a traditional Kimono
Wafaa_A, Feb 2024
Arigato Guzaimas! Wonderful introduction to the Maiko traditions: we were adorned with beautiful Kimonos and hairdos for an educational ceremonial tea that will last for a lifetime!
Beautiful Ceremony, and Kimonos!
William_J, Feb 2024
We had a wonderful time experiencing the tea ceremony in kimonos. The hosts are very gracious and allow you to pick your favorite colors and combinations for the pieces that complete the kimono. You also get to have tea in a beautiful room in tatami floors with a host that teaches you all about the history of tea in Japan and instructs you on how to prepare traditional matcha tea. You have ample time to take pictures and soak up the environment. Stretch beforehand though as those with tight legs may get sore on the tatami floors haha, but that experience is worth it.
Interesting experience
Sushma_S, Feb 2024
Dressing up in a kimono was so much fun. There were hairdressers to make a quick hairstyle aswell . we had time to take pictures. Very polite. We made our own machas in the traditional way
Great experience
Melissa_F, Feb 2024
The history of the tea and the making of the tea wearing the kimono.. it was a great morning. As solo traveller I met other. It was great.
Wonderful Experience
ZoeRose_J, Feb 2024
My husband and I had the most wonderful experience. The place was absolutely beautiful, the girls were so kind and lovely and the tea ceremony was such an incredible experience.
A realistic tea ceremony experience with authentic teaching making our own matcha tea.
DrSusan_P, Dec 2023
This tea ceremony experience was worth the cost. The leader was a charming and well informed tea master. We were outfitted in Kimono with appropriate hair styles and decoration. It was a bit of a mill with many groups running simultaneously. The operation was attentive to mobility issues and had stools for those unable to be on our knees. Getting there was a bit of a trial by fire but the servers at the site helped us return by cab to our hotel.
lovely and memorable first-time tea ceremony experience
Michelle_S, Dec 2023
A wonderful and peaceful introduction to the art of Japanese tea ceremony, in a lovely traditional house with a garden for photos. Really made me interested in learning more about this beautiful ritual. Dressing up in kimono was also so fun and truly a memorable experience.
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From $55.30

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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