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Tea Ceremony Kyoto - An Authentic Cultural Experience by Local Operator

Top rated
4.9
Activity provider: Sanjo Chasuian
Tea Ceremony Kyoto - An Authentic Cultural Experience by Local Operator
Tea Ceremony Kyoto - An Authentic Cultural Experience by Local Operator 2
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1-hour tour in Kyoto, including 2 cups of matcha from Kyoto (one made by the host and one and Traditional seasonal Japanese confectionary. Run by Sanjo Chasuian, booked direct rather than through a reseller.

Highlights

  • Runs 1 hours
  • 2 cups of matcha from Kyoto (one made by the host and one you by yourself or with a companion.)
  • Traditional seasonal Japanese confectionary

Tea Ceremony Kyoto - An Authentic Cultural Experience by Local Operator: Key Facts

PriceFrom $68.5 per person
Duration1 hours
LanguagesEnglish
Tour typeGuided Tour
BookingDirect with the local operator — no OTA markup

Full description

This is a 1-hour experience in Kyoto. It is run by Sanjo Chasuian, 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 2 cups of matcha from Kyoto and Traditional seasonal Japanese confectionary. It does not cover Hotel transfers, Transfer to our venue and Standard kimono rental or dressing services, 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.

Sanjo Chasuian 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 Sanjo Chasuian before treating your booking as final. If they cannot take your date we tell you and refund you rather than leave you waiting.

Includes

  • 2 cups of matcha from Kyoto (one made by the host and one you by yourself or with a companion.)
  • Traditional seasonal Japanese confectionary

Excludes

  • Hotel transfers
  • Transfer to our venue
  • Standard kimono rental or dressing services.

Important information

Meeting point

Sanjo Chasuian 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 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
English
Wheelchair accessible

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Main Tour Price
Starting from $68.5
$68.5
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 391 reviews
Guide
4.9/5
Value for money
4.7/5
Verified reviews from travelers on this operator’s experience
5
L
Leon
August 12, 2026

Yuko-San was a delight! The tea ceremony was so elegant and beautiful. I truly felt the presence of zen mindfulness in her every action and with the sounds of the ceremony itself. my family and I were transported to a peaceful place focused on enjoying this one moment together. it was truly magical. yes there are other tea masters around Kyoto, but none are like Yuko-san. she speaks excellent English, is welcoming, kind and extremely professional. make sure to book this experience before your trip to Kyoto. you will not be disappointed

Review photo 1Review photo 2Review photo 3
5
Y
Ying
July 15, 2026

We were very lucky to have Yuko as our host for the matcha tea ceremony. She was passionate about matcha and explained everything clearly to my 11-year-old daughter. Highly recommended for a family experience in Kyoto.

Review photo 1
5
S
Sean
May 24, 2026

It was fantastic. I took my wife for her birthday and we both really enjoyed the tea and learning about the history and the ritual. The guides were fantastic.

Review photo 1
5
I
Ilse
September 8, 2026

The hostess was so nice and respectful. She taught us in detail about the history and tradition of the tea ceremony. She gave us all a flip-book that really helped me follow her story and the information told. It was very intimate which was nice. The matcha she prepared was really nice. The one I made myself was less tasty ;) Overall I think it's something that's really fun to experience while in Japan.

5
A
Alco
July 17, 2026

Attending this tea ceremony was an absolutely unforgettable and unique experience that exceeded all of our expectations. From the moment we entered, we felt a deep sense of peace and mindfulness. Our hostess was incredibly warm and friendly, making everyone feel instantly welcome and at ease. What truly made the experience stand out was her immense passion. She didn't just show us the steps; she shared the rich history, philosophy, and cultural background behind every single gesture and utensil with so much heart. Watching her execute the ceremony with such grace—and then guiding us through it

5
E
Emily
April 12, 2026

This was lovely! Our guides were so knowledgeable and shared the history of tea ceremony with poise, grace and humour.

5
A
Alexis
April 11, 2026

This was a very fun and peaceful experience. We loved learning more about the traditional tea ceremony.

5
J
Jess
April 9, 2026

What a fabulous experience! Reina was a wonderful host and explained everything so well, it was amazing to learn the history and tradition behind a tea ceremony. It was very relaxing and intimate, and I’m so happy we booked this. 10/10 would 100% recommend!

5
B
Bethan
April 4, 2026

We loved the tea ceremony! The lady who led our ceremony was so lovely and great at describing the process and history. Would really recommend to anyone.

5
L
Leo
April 12, 2026

Small group so very interactive and learnt so much about Japanese culture

5
A
Amy
April 3, 2026

This was fun for the whole family! Our kids (11 &13) got a lot out of it. It was very interesting to learn about the history and culture of the tea ceremony while also getting a chanve yo experience it.

5
B
Brennan
March 26, 2026

We had such a wonderful experience learning the art of matcha making with Reina-san! From the very beginning, she was incredibly warm, bubbly, and full of personality—it made the entire experience feel welcoming and fun. Reina-san was exceptionally thorough in her teaching, taking the time to explain not just the steps of making matcha, but also the rich history behind it. Her passion really shined through as she guided us through the ceremonial aspects of the process, helping us appreciate the meaning and mindfulness behind each movement. On top of that, her English was excellent, which made

Frequently Asked Questions

Sanjo Chasuian sends the meeting point and time by email as soon as the booking is confirmed.
The price does not cover hotel transfers, transfer to our venue and standard kimono rental or dressing services.. 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.
2 cups of matcha from Kyoto (one made by the host and one you by yourself or with a companion.), Traditional seasonal Japanese confectionary
The duration of the Tea Ceremony Kyoto - An Authentic Cultural Experience by Local Operator is typically 1 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$68.5