The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
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.
What To Expect
Statue of Izumo no Okuni
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"
Gion
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
Options
The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk
What‘s Included
Tea ceremony experience Drink Matcha (Green Tea) at a traditional Japanese house
Photos during the tour - You'll get photos taken during the tour.
3 hours with a local guide - An English-speaking guide
Entrance fees of 2 temples
Additional Food and Drinks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
59 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing
Julie E,Jun 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent time taking the tour through Kyotos Buddhist temples guided by our wonderful guide Hide! Not only was Hide a wealth of knowledge but was a genuine joy to have guide us through religious sites and tourism districts. Even at his age Hide was sharp, witty, and quite up to date on modern cultures and opinions held by locals and tourists. His presence through the temple was especially welcomed as he supplied us a seemingly exclusive view and walk through the various buildings and garden paths. Overall if one is looking for an English friendly guide that is a long time local and practitioner Hide is your best bet. 10/10 would book again
Great tour and friendly guide
351garrettc,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour with Hide, he was very informative and really made us feel welcome. I would highly recommend the tour, we got to see parts of the Gion area we may have missed if we were on our own. We also had a wonderful experience at the tea ceremony, our host was so gracious, it finished our tour beautifully.
Excellent guide on an interesting tour route.
Anna W,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Hide was an excellent guide. We saw a lot in our time with him. He kept things moving, answered all our questions and was a delightful host. Thoroughly recommend this tour.
Educational and interesting
Erik F,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Hide is a very enthusiastic and inspired man who has fascinated us very much with his stories. Arigatou gozaimasu
Advice
U6079XZ ,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was amazing trip! The guide Kana very educated and interesting! Wonderful
Waby-sabi tour in Kyoto and tea ceremony
Coastal22819299549,Apr 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The tour with Hide Nakanishi, a very friendly guide, was really interesting. On the other hand, the matcha tea ceremony, hosted by the tea master, was a little disappointing. Very solemn, of course, it did not correspond to the presentation images of the tour, the description on TripAdvisor, or the description provided by the travel agency.
Enjoyable friendly host very helpful
waynefissioli,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide was very informative and spoke good English
Walk and talk in Gion, Tokyo.
kieral689,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Lovely experience walking through the streets of Gion with our knowledgeable tour guide Hide Nakanishi. He married the history behind the experience so well. We also met and really enjoyed the Belgium couple we toured with.
Stress free & relaxing
Anonymous,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Masa was very friendly and easy going. A very relaxing tour with visits to less crowded temples that we wouldn’t have found on our own and we were very lucky to have Masa all to ourselves! Our tea ceremony with our graceful host was a perfect finish to our tour. We left with a greater appreciation for “wabi sabi”.
Wabi Sabi magical tour
fdeboyser,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nice tour with Hide and a super nice couple from Tobago-Trinidad, Kiera and Yuri
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Operated by MagicalTrip Inc.