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Karasuma Shijo: Kimono Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto

Top rated
4.9
Activity provider: GLOBA Inc.
Karasuma Shijo: Kimono Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto
Karasuma Shijo: Kimono Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto 2
Karasuma Shijo: Kimono Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto 3
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Tour in Kyoto, including Kimono dressing and Traditional tea ceremony led by a tea master. Run by GLOBA Inc., booked direct rather than through a reseller.

Highlights

  • Runs 1.5 hours
  • Kimono dressing
  • Traditional tea ceremony led by a tea master
  • Hands-on matcha tea preparation
  • Japanese sweets
  • Bilingual staff assistance

Karasuma Shijo: Kimono Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto: Key Facts

PriceFrom $70.5 per person
Duration1.5 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Full description

This is a 1.5-hour experience in Kyoto. It is run by GLOBA Inc., an operator we book with directly rather than through a reseller, which is why we can hold your place with them before we treat your booking as final.

Gion is Kyoto's historic entertainment district, the streets of wooden machiya houses around Hanamikoji where the geiko and maiko of the Gion Kobu district still work. They are working professionals on their way to engagements, not performers for the street, and Kyoto has banned photography in the private lanes; an evening walk with a guide who explains the ochaya system is the respectful way to see it. Tea ceremony sessions in Gion teach the basic form of matcha preparation in an hour. Kimono rental for a day, with dressing and hair, is an established business around the district and is welcomed rather than resented.

The price covers Kimono dressing, Traditional tea ceremony led by a tea master, Hands-on matcha tea preparation, Japanese sweets and Bilingual staff assistance. It does not cover Transportation to and from the venue, so budget for those separately. Everything included is listed in full on this page; if something is not on that list, assume it is not in the price.

GLOBA Inc. sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed. We need at least one day's notice, and we confirm the date with GLOBA Inc. before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.

Includes

  • Kimono dressing
  • Traditional tea ceremony led by a tea master
  • Hands-on matcha tea preparation
  • Japanese sweets
  • Bilingual staff assistance
  • Hair styling for women (long hair only)

Excludes

  • Transportation to and from the venue

Important information

Meeting point

GLOBA Inc. sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.

Know before you go

  • Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more
Duration 1.5 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $70.5
$70.5
Need a custom booking or have a larger group?Contact Support via WhatsApp
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Secure payment
Complete your booking safely with Razorpay. Full refund if you cancel 24h prior. Read more

Traveler Reviews

4.9/5
based on 651 reviews
Guide
5/5
Value for money
4.8/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
g
giada
September 14, 2026

Nino and sono teaches us the traditional ig tea ceremony with kindness and patience. The tea house is wonderful. The kimono vestment is well organized and the staff is welcoming. Absolutely stunning experience

Review photo 1Review photo 2
5
L
Lola
August 26, 2026

Maki was the most amazing host. Beautiful tea ceremony and stunning Japanese house/garden! She taught us lots about the history of tea ceremonies and how to prepare and drink the matcha (which was delicious!) It truly felt like such a special experience that we all shared together, perfect way to round up our time in Kyoto! Thanks so much🤍

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
P
Patrick
August 14, 2026

Tea ceremony was amazing! Very traditional and engaging.

Review photo 1
5
H
Hayden
September 11, 2026

A fun little experience. Great for couples. The ladies who run the tea house are so polite and wonderful. definitely recommend

5
J
Jerreldon
September 11, 2026

This was an AMAZING experience. Everyone was so kind and helpful. We learned so much history during the ceremony. I would certainly do this again! If you’re looking for a great afternoon activity in Kyoto, this is the place!

5
M
Malinali
September 3, 2026

They were very nice, they have a big variety of kimonos and explain you very well the te ceremony

5
I
Inga
September 2, 2026

Loved it! All super friendly. Very interesting hearing about the different cultures and getting to wear a kimono was great! Thank you again for your hospitality

5
M
Mike
September 1, 2026

We had a nice and great experience. Friendly stuff and people. Nice location. Overall perfect and easy going

5
V
Verena
August 18, 2026

Overall a great experience, we enjoyed the introduction to Japanese tea ceremony by Emwlely, and all the ladies at the venue were very sweet and pleasant. we enjoyed every minute. thank you so much

5
D
Daniel
August 16, 2026

Very good experience, got to try on a kimono, lots of opportunities for pictures, tea ceremony was very interesting and calming and host helped us do it ourselves, lots of staff to help throughout, very informative and relaxing would recommend for anyone going to Kyoto

5
T
Tom
August 16, 2026

Really lovely and interesting activity with an excellent guide and staff. I went there with my two teenage daughters and they absolutely loved it too.

5
Y
Yevheniia
August 7, 2026

Great! Everything nicely scripted, everyone knows what to do and very, Very polite☺️

Frequently Asked Questions

GLOBA Inc. sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.
The price does not cover transportation to and from the venue. Everything it does cover is listed in full on this page, so if something is not on that list, budget for it separately.
Not in the private lanes of Gion, where Kyoto has banned photography, and not close up anywhere: a maiko on the street is on her way to work. Your guide will say where a photograph is acceptable. Tea ceremony and kimono sessions include photographs as part of the session.
We confirm your booking with the operator before we treat it as final, and we need at least one day's notice. Once it is confirmed you get the meeting point, the time and a contact number for the day. If the operator cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.
Kimono dressing, Traditional tea ceremony led by a tea master, Hands-on matcha tea preparation, Japanese sweets, Bilingual staff assistance, Hair styling for women (long hair only)
The duration of the Karasuma Shijo: Kimono Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweets in Kyoto is typically 1.5 hours. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before the scheduled start time for a smooth check-in. Your guide will meet you at the designated meeting point and ensure the experience runs on schedule while remaining flexible to your pace.
For most experiences, we highly recommend an early morning start. This allows you to avoid the midday heat, bypass the largest crowds, and capture the best lighting for photography. Your guide can advise on the optimal timing based on the season and specific attractions included.
Yes, once your booking is completed via our secure payment gateway, you will receive an instant confirmation email with your tour details, meeting point address, guide's name, and direct contact information. You can also view and manage your booking through your AsiaByLocals account dashboard.
Yes! All our private tours are fully customizable. Whether you want to add extra stops, skip certain locations, change the pace, or adjust the start time — simply let your guide know in advance or on the day. We aim to create a personalized experience tailored to your interests and energy level.
We offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours may be subject to a partial charge depending on the tour type. Weather-related cancellations for outdoor and boat tours are handled on a case-by-case basis, with full refunds or free rebooking offered when safety is a concern.
Most of our experiences are family-friendly and suitable for children of all ages. However, some tours involving extensive walking, water activities, or early morning starts may be better suited for children aged 5 and above. Please check the specific tour description for age recommendations, or contact us for personalized family itinerary advice.
After booking, you will receive detailed meeting point instructions via email. Most tours include complimentary hotel pickup within the central area. For tours without pickup, your confirmation email will include the exact address, Google Maps pin, and your guide's phone number for easy coordination. Guides typically arrive 10 minutes early and will message you on WhatsApp.
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Razorpay for Indian cards. All payments are processed through a PCI-compliant secure gateway with 256-bit encryption. You can also pay in multiple currencies — the price is automatically converted to your local currency at checkout.
Yes, all AsiaByLocals guides are licensed professionals who have been rigorously vetted through background checks, skill assessments, and customer reviews. Many hold government-issued tourism licenses, university degrees in history or cultural studies, and have years of experience leading tours for international travelers. Every guide maintains a minimum 4.5-star rating to remain active on our platform.
Late March to early April for cherry blossom, or mid-to-late November for peak autumn foliage. Kyoto sits in a basin and runs hotter in summer and colder in winter than Tokyo, even at a similar latitude. Full month-by-month figures are in our best time to visit Kyoto guide.
Kyoto never built an extensive subway — just two lines (Karasuma and Tozai) — so the city bus network does most of the work, especially for Higashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkakuji. Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama are best reached by JR rail instead. See getting around Kyoto.
Three days covers the essentials well: a day for Higashiyama and Gion, a day for Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji, and a day for Fushimi Inari plus a Nara or Uji day trip. Our 3-day Kyoto itinerary has the full route with timing.
Arrive by 6:30-7am — the shrine is open 24/7 and free, and most visitors only walk the first 20-30 minutes anyway. Past that point the crowds thin out fast. Full hike details in our Fushimi Inari guide.
Yes — it's a public path with no entrance fee and no set hours. The trade-off is that it gets shoulder-to-shoulder by mid-morning; arrive before 8am for a nearly empty walk. See the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest guide.
Kyoto restricts photography on certain private alleys in Gion after complaints about tourists chasing and blocking geiko and maiko, with fines for violators. Public streets like Hanamikoji-dori remain open, but never chase, touch or block a real geiko/maiko anywhere. Full etiquette in our Gion geisha district guide.
Yudofu (simmered tofu, best near Nanzen-ji or Arashiyama), kaiseki and shojin ryori temple cuisine, and Nishiki Market's stalls of tako tamago and fresh yuba. Uji, just south of the city, is one of Japan's top matcha-growing regions. See the Kyoto food guide.
Starting from$70.5