Experience an authentic private matcha tea ceremony in a traditional Kyoto tea room, guided in the spirit of omotenashi—Japan’s philosophy of wholehearted hospitality. Hosted by a Kyoto local from a kimono family, this is not a demonstration, but a quiet and personal cultural experience. Inside a real tea room, you will observe the careful preparation of matcha and learn the meaning behind each movement, tool, and gesture. Every element reflects centuries of tradition and the intention to create harmony between host and guest. You will be welcomed as a guest and served matcha and traditional Japanese sweets, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of a genuine tea gathering. This fully private experience offers a rare opportunity to step away from the crowds and encounter the living culture of Kyoto in an intimate and meaningful way.
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Out at sunset: the 4:30 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:10 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 32 of the next 120 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 1,622 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Private Authentic Matcha Tea Ceremony in a Kyoto Tea Room lasts about 1h 30min.
Prices start at $162 per person for this Kyoto experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 4 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 4:30 PM.
It can: 32 of the next 120 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is You will be greeted by a man dressed in traditional kimono who will be waiting for you in front of the shop. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in JA, EN.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Experience the Yabuuchi-ryu style tea ceremony, where the movements are reminiscent of a samurai! We want you to experience not only the matcha, but also everything about the tranquil and calming tea room. The hanging scroll, the flower arrangement—everything has meaning.
I was given the opportunity to experience it in a small, atmospheric tea room built in a Japanese house with goodwill called Miyashita Gofukuya. It was fun to walk into the nijiriguchi, with its uniquely Kyoto corridors and interior as a kimono shop. The host is polite and friendly and very easy to talk to. Ask questions and you will find out about everything from the operation and history of the tea ceremony to the intentions of the teahouse architecture. I had no formal image of the tea ceremony at all, and I could enjoy my host's story with delicious sweets and tea.
They talked about various things, such as the changing attire of the tea room according to the season, the differences in tea utensils, and the differences in sweets that come out. I felt the depth of the owner's story, which was unique to him growing up in Kyoto.
My wife and I booked a tea ceremony with Ryo, and it was phenomenal. Ryo explained the history, techniques, and meaning behind each part of the ceremony, and executed everything flawlessly. Learning that the practice is rooted in samurai traditions made the experience even more unique and insightful. The matcha was incredible, and we even got the chance to make it ourselves. It was easily the best matcha we have ever had. He patiently answered all of our questions and showed us around the home where the ceremonies take place. We also met his grandfather and visited their family kimono shop, which was amazing. Truly one of the kindest families we met in Japan, with exceptional matcha and beautiful kimonos.
Book this tea experience! We had 4 participants. It was just us and the tea master. First of all, the cab dropped us off just steps away from the tea-house. It was very easy to find. One of our friends used a rolling walker and she had no trouble at all. We descended a staircase while she went down the sloped road to the side of the steps. Ryotaro Conducted our tea ceremony. He was dressed in authentic traditional clothing. First of all he was very kind. Secondly his English is perfect! We were able to ask all sorts of questions and now we understand the Samurai tea culture. This was our final tour while in Japan. We saved the BEST for last. Also met his family and heard the story of his grandfather who built the teahouse. Beautiful experience!
from beginning to end, the matcha tea ceremony was special peaceful and informative. our host answered all of our questions and was very patient. watching all of the motions and movements of our host were so intricate and meaningful and methodical. the matcha was extremely delicious and to be able to drink it in a ceremonial setting was a profound experience. 10/10 recommend!
This is a very elegant and ancient tea ceremony. He explains every movement and apparatus. He answered all questions and was very kind and very gracious. His English is better than mine! I loved being able to have a private tea ceremony with friends. The 4 of us were able to ask all sorts of questions about the tea ceremony, Samurai culture, and his personal experience. His Grandfather built the tea house we were in. Amazing experience. Amazing family. Don’t miss this experience.
While Miyashita-san's tea ceremony is rooted in deep tradition, he is not limited by rigid schools or cultural boundaries. His openness to different cultural perspectives brings a remarkable depth to his practice. The room is softly lit to avoid straining the eyes, which enhances other senses such as hearing and taste, making the experience more immersive. You can also enjoy tea paired with seasonal Japanese sweets. It’s definitely a place I would love to visit again!
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and beautifully written review. I truly appreciate the depth with which you experienced and expressed the tea ceremony. While my practice is rooted in tradition, I believe that tea can also be a bridge between cultures, evolving through each unique encounter. Your words perfectly capture what I aim to share through this experience. I’m also very happy that you noticed the atmosphere of the tea room. The subtle lighting and sensory elements are carefully designed to create a space where guests can naturally immerse themselves beyond just what they see. It was a pleasure to share this moment with you, and I would be truly honored to welcome you again whenever you return to Kyoto. Thank you once again for your kind words. 🍵
I had the chance to experience matcha. We had a refreshing Japanese experience by entering through the Nijiriguchi in the wonderful tea room and by having matcha tea in an authentic space with charcoal, incense, flowers and hanging scrolls. I also had the experience of a host making tea, but I was a total amateur, but I was gently and happily guided and it was a really good experience.
この度はお抹茶体験にお越しいただき、誠にありがとうございました。 また、このような温かいご感想をお寄せいただき、大変嬉しく拝見いたしました。 にじり口からのご入室や、炭の香り、お香、掛軸やお花など、茶室ならではの空間を五感で感じていただけたとのこと、とても嬉しく思います。 「和」の清々しさを感じていただけたことが、何よりの喜びです。 また、お点前の体験にもご参加いただきありがとうございました。 初めてとは思えないほど丁寧にお茶を点てていらっしゃり、私もとても印象に残っております。 これからも、どなたでも安心して楽しんでいただける時間を大切にしてまいります。 ぜひお立ち寄りくださいませ。 改めまして、この度は誠にありがとうございました。🍵
Phenomenal experience! Ryotaro was friendly and informative and made the experience even more worthwhile
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really glad you enjoyed the experience. It was a pleasure to share this moment with you, and I’m happy I could make it even more meaningful. Hope to welcome you again in Kyoto 🍵
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Authentic Matcha Tea Ceremony in a Kyoto Tea Room | 1h 30min | 5.0 (22) | $162 | |
 Private Tea Ceremony and Sake Tasting in Kyoto Samurai House | 50 min | 5.0 (189) | $129 | View |
 Kyoto: Kimono & Traditional Matcha Tea Ceremony | 1h 30min | 4.9 (132) | $45 | View |
 Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI | 1h 30min | 4.9 (1,123) | $52 | View |
 Tea Ceremony Kyoto - An Authentic Cultural Experience | 1 hour | 5.0 (121) | $45 | View |
 Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Experience in a small tea room | 1 hour | 4.9 (7) | $39 | View |
 Kyoto: Authentic Tea Ceremony in a Small Group | 1 hour | 5.0 (8) | $194 | View |