Private Tour
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
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
Options
Private Tea Ceremony with a Local Tea Master Kanazawa Machiya
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Authentic Japanese Tea Service
Barry w,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Authentic Japanese tea service performed by an educated & experienced tea master in his 100 year old home.
We would highly recommend
Jane K,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A true devotee to the art of making matcha tea. A very interesting hour watching the precise movements Mister Takahashi made. We also go to make tea.
Such a fun and unique...
Matteo T,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Such a fun and unique experience! Yuta was warm and friendly and such an amazing host. The ceremony was very peace and a great insight into Japanese culture and tradition.
Fantastic tea ceremony experience!
kathy e,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fantastic tea ceremony experience in the Geisha district. It was personal and so enjoyable. I would recommend it to everyone. Mr Takahashi was exceptional in teaching us this fabulous tradition.
We had the great honor of...
Roland W,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had the great honor of attending Yuta-san’s tea ceremony. After the ceremony, we felt deeply grateful and truly moved by the experience. It gave us a glimpse into the depth and long tradition of the Japanese tea ceremony. It was much more than just an activity. It felt like an encounter with a culture shaped by mindfulness, respect, and harmony. What impressed us most was the authenticity. Being welcomed into Yuta-san’s home created a very special and intimate atmosphere. From the very beginning, we felt surrounded by a deep sense of respect. The ceremony was carried out with great care, precision, and mastery. Although we are not experts, it was clear how much dedication and attention to detail was present in every movement. Afterwards, we felt a deep sense of calm and inner peace. It was as if we had been gently guided toward a quieter state of mind. The exchange with Yuta-san was very warm and kind. This experience will remain in our hearts for a lifetime. We are truly grateful and would wholeheartedly recommend it.
An unique and personal experience of Kanazawas tea culture in a Kanazawa town house
thechadude,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are ever in Kanazawa and in search of an authentic and personal tea experience away from the tourist hotspots, this is the place. Yutasan invites you into his house and personal tea space and serves not only the greatest matcha but also great seasonal sweets. As a tea ceremony practitioner of over a decade he is very knowledgeable and answers all questions regarding the practice, Kanazawa and more with great enthusiasm.
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