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Offered languages
- English
Discover the beauty of Japanese tea culture beyond a simple matcha tasting on this immersive cultural walking tour in Kyoto. Visit historic temples, artisan shops, and hidden Zen spots while learning the philosophy, history, and aesthetics behind the tea ceremony.
Begin at Kennin-ji Temple, the birthplace of matcha culture in Japan, where you’ll explore how tea influenced Zen Buddhism and Kyoto’s traditions. Then stop by a specialty shop for tea ceremony tools such as bamboo whisks and raku teacups.
Next, step into a quiet hidden Zen temple to experience Kyoto’s peaceful side, with moss gardens, stone paths, and the timeless beauty of Wabi-Sabi aesthetics. The tour concludes with an authentic tea ceremony, enjoying a carefully prepared bowl of matcha guided by the philosophy of ichi-go ichi-e—“one chance, one encounter.”
Located near Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine, this experience fits perfectly into your Kyoto sightseeing plans.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
In front of Izumo no Okuni Statue, right outside of Exit 5 of Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan line)
End the tour after a tea ceremony experience
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
In front of the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, right outside Exit 5 of Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) A guide will be holding a orange signboard saying "Magical Trip Tour"
Admission ticket free -
1Gion
The first attraction allows you to learn the history of Japanese tea and how it is made. We will stroll through the historical district of Gion, visiting a famous matcha shop
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Kennin-ji Temple
Kenninji Temple awaits you. Have a look at the historical Temple that has been standing for centuries
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Visit some craft shops
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
Visit a hidden temple & garden Next, discover the beauty of ceramics at a tea bowl shop where the raku teacup takes center stage. Your guide will share how each cup has its own character, history, and meaning. From there, you’ll avoid Kyoto’s crowded tourist trails and step into a peaceful hidden temple where time feels slower. In this quiet space, you’ll connect with simplicity, textures, natural materials, and thoughtful design—letting your senses absorb the stillness, air, and subtle beauty that define Japanese tea philosophy.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Tea Ceremony Chayu
End the tour with a tea-making experience in a real tea house! Enjoy tea ceremony with tea master's instruction! Based on the knowledge of Wabi-Sabi learned through the city walk, you will experience tea ceremony under a tea master at last. Choose a tea bowl according to season and taste, enjoy Japanese sweets, and immerse yourself in the deep culture of matcha green tea and the tea ceremony.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
(Pass by)
End of the tour at tea experience places
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Out of respect for our other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time. You will not be able to join the tour, get a refund or reschedule if you are late for the tour and miss the group.
- The tour might be cancelled in case of unsuitable weather for safety reasons.
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Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Out of respect for our other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time. You will not be able to join the tour, get a refund or reschedule if you are late for the tour and miss the group.
- The tour might be cancelled in case of unsuitable weather for safety reasons.
- You do not need to pay for the guide's food and drinks.
- Please note that there might be other participants
- Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer highs of 40°C (110°F) and winter lows of -5°C (20°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour.
- Free cancellation and free reschedule is available until 24h prior to the tour starting time.
- Tea ceremony experience can only accommodate those who are and older than 6 years old. You can bring children younger than that but one adult needs to be accompanying them outside the facility during the experience.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- 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.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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