Tea Ceremony in Kyoto: A Must-Do Experience!

When in Kyoto, a tea ceremony is just one of those things you have to do.

But if you’re thinking it’s just about sipping some green tea, think again—this experience is about diving into Japanese culture too!

My friend and I had such a cool experience at a tea ceremony in Kyoto that I had to share it with you so you won’t miss out.

What is a Tea Ceremony?

A tea ceremony isn’t just about drinking tea. It’s a full-on ritual where every movement, every gesture, has meaning.

Kyoto is the center of traditional Japanese culture, and witnessing a centuries-old tea ceremony here is an experience that will be fascinating and an honor!

Chanoyu or sado, “The Way of Tea,” are the Japanese words used for the tea ceremony. It’s an art form that shows the ritual of preparing and presenting tea. The tea used is a matcha green powder (otemae).

Participating in a Tea Ceremony in Kyoto:

You’ll find many tea ceremonies in Japan, but Kyoto is THE place to really check one out. There’s no shortage of tea ceremonies to join, but the most popular ones will fill up—quickly!

I found myself on a last-minute trip to Japan, so my friend and I thought we were going to have to miss out on this experience, but in the end, I found one!

It ended up being wonderful, with the kindest people. I was so happy we ended up at this tea ceremony in Kyoto! Here is everything we got to do during our time and what it was like.

Wearing a Kimono

You get the option to wear one, and trust me, this is not the time to be shy. We went for it, and it was absolutely worth it.

They dress you from head to toe in the full outfit, complete with accessories, that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into another era.

I highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity to wear a kimono! They allow time for cute photos in their garden as well before you get to the tea making.

When I booked this experience, I told them I wanted the kimono a few days later since I wasn’t sure then. I just paid in cash for the add-on later!

Mochi and a Japanese Lesson

After gushing over how beautiful the kimonos are and taking 5,489 photos, you’ll have a seat and the rest of the experience unfolds.

You’ll start by making a traditional Japanese sweet—mochi! You mold it into a cute little flower with a strawberry in the middle and little gold flakes on top. It’s almost too pretty to eat. Almost!

The gracious hosts also helped all of us write our names in Japanese, which was so sweet and interesting to learn.

The Tea Ceremony

Then comes the main event: the matcha! You’ll watch the host mesmerizingly whip up a bowl of green tea with a bamboo whisk before doing it yourself.

You’ll learn a lot about the importance of the host, how one is supposed to receive the guests, what the host says and how they ladle the water in the bowls, how to mix your own matcha, and all the other intricacies of the ceremony.

You’ll even learn how to say some words in Japanese to show your appreciation and respect for the tea and the host.

Once you taste that first sip, you’ll understand why this has been a beloved ritual for centuries. Also, as someone who isn’t usually the biggest fan of matcha, I think it was actually good!

FAQ For Doing a Tea Ceremony in Kyoto:

I hope this helped you plan your tea ceremony in Kyoto!

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