Kanazawa Machiya: Private Tea Ceremony with a Local Tea Master
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 10 minutes
Mobile ticket
From ¥9,900 p.p. (min. 2) | Same-day OK — book up to 2 hours before. Fully private, no strangers, just your group. A 19-year tea master guides you through authentic Enshu-ryū ceremony in a 100-year-old machiya in Kanazawa’s Nishi Chaya geisha district.
Step inside a 100-year-old machiya in Kanazawa’s Nishi Chaya geisha district for a completely private tea ceremony. Your host Yuta has practiced tea for 19 years in the Enshu-ryū tradition, rooted in samurai culture. This is not a group workshop — it is an intimate ceremony performed exclusively for you, in a tea room with tatami and tokonoma alcove.
During the 70-minute session, you will:
· Watch a full tea ceremony demonstration
· Whisk your own bowl of matcha.
· Enjoy traditional dry sweets (higashi)
· Ask anything — about tea, aesthetics, or Kanazawa
· Take a commemorative photo
Completely private. No other guests. No rush. English-guided throughout.
Please note:
· Socks recommended
· Additional guests: ¥9,900/person (max 5)
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
What To Expect
· Completely private — no shared groups, just you and your host · Guided by Yuta, a tea master with 19 years of Enshu-ryū practice, the samurai school of tea rooted in Kanazawa's feudal history · Held inside a beautifully preserved 100-year-old machiya townhouse · Located in Kanazawa's historic Nishi Chaya geisha district · Hands-on: whisk your own bowl of matcha using a bamboo whisk (chasen) · This is not a tourist workshop — it is an authentic ceremony performed exclusively for your group
Options
Private Tea Ceremony with a Local Tea Master Kanazawa Machiya
What‘s Included
Hands-on matcha preparation (make your own bowl of thin tea)
Fully private tea ceremony (no shared sessions)
Traditional Japanese dry sweets (higashi)
Commemorative photo
Use of a private tea room in a 100-year-old machiya
English narration and Q&A throughout
Tea ceremony demonstration by a practitioner with 19 years of experience
Transportation to/from venue
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great experience!
X6579ZCbirgitm,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was lovely to meet Yuta and be welcomed at his home and watch the tea ceremony at his tea room. Yuta explained the significance of the ceremony very well. The room was set up beautifully and I appreciated the effort that was made in presenting it for the ceremony. The chosen flowers and utensils made it =extra special. I was amazed to learn about the details of the tea ceremony and significance in history. It was lovely to have the chance to make some tea ourselves as well.
A Special and Personal Tea Ceremony
Alan B,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an excellent experience learning about the samurai tea ceremony with all of its details including the various parts used to prepare the tea in a very precise procedure. We had a delightful conversation about the tea ceremony details, and Japanese history and culture. We even prepared our own tea. In our modern world, this experience was calming and refreshing.
Yuta-san provided us with...
Joel K,May 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Yuta-san provided us with a most amazing experience. He was very kind and knowledgeable and instilled in us a meaningful understanding of tea ceremony in Japan. My wife and I really enjoyed the conversation with him. He made sure we understand his thoughtful conversation despite the language barrier.
Wonderful experience!
Christy B,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our private tea ceremony with Yuta-san was such a great experience! I highly recommend if you are in Kanazawa, definitely the highlight of our time.We appreciated being invited into his beautiful, sacred space, and learning about the tea ceremony and especially his journey to become a tea master. He performed a wonderful ceremony, and we had great conversation, like visiting with friends. He is also very patient and understanding, as our taxi took us to the incorrect area first. A must in Kanazawa!
Wonderful Experience
Christy B,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our private tea ceremony with Yuta-san was such a great experience! I highly recommend if you are in Kanazawa, definitely the highlight of our time.We appreciated being invited into his beautiful, sacred space, and learning about the tea ceremony and especially his journey to become a tea master. He performed a wonderful ceremony, and we had great conversation, like visiting with friends. He is also very patient and understanding, as our taxi took us to the incorrect area first. A must in Kanazawa!
Kanazawa tea master
T6145FFgiovannis,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The young tea master welcomed us into his home with grace and professionalism. He naturally showed us the tea ceremony and then guided us in the preparation. There was certainly a pleasant conversation. Absolutely worth trying!
Very interesting and...
Emelia T,May 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very interesting and amazing experience. Tea master was very kind and knowledgeable. We would definitely recommend this experience.
What a Wonderful Experience
Susan S,May 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If you want a really wonderful traditional experience, this is a must! Yute was very kind in welcoming us into his home and did a great demonstration. We will remember this for the rest of our lives.
Real tea experience in Kanazawa
Sightsee38031378869,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00In Kanazawa, I had the pleasure of visiting the tea room of Mr. Takahashi, whom I connected with through Instagram. Although it is located just steps away from the busy downtown area, the 100-year-old traditional house felt like a completely different world. I was welcomed by the gentle fragrance of incense and blooming plum blossoms, and deeply moved by the thoughtful hospitality — preparing charcoal and heating the kettle for tea in the upstairs tea room. As his tea tradition differs from my own school, every movement and procedure felt fresh and inspiring. From the use of feathers in the temae to the way he handled the fukusa and tea utensils, I could feel the beauty that comes only through years of training and practice. Each utensil also carried its own story. I was especially impressed by the tea bowl he once carried in his chabako while traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, as well as the plum-themed natsume. His words about sharing tea with guests from overseas — “allowing them to experience chanoyu without changing its essence” — also stayed deeply in my heart. It was truly a precious time to speak with someone of the same generation who has devoted himself to the world of tea. The experience reminded me once again of the spirit of hospitality and the profound depth of chanoyu. Thank you very much for such a memorable day.
Wonderful experience
ffP1893BQ,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing afternoon! This is the perfect balance of traditional and tourist friendly experience. Yuta was a wonderful host and answered all of our questions in detail.
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