Private Tour
Kyoto Private Tea Ceremony with Tea Master at Home
Overview
Available languages
1 hour
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a private Kyoto tea ceremony in a traditional home, guided by an experienced tea master. Learn the meaning behind each movement in a calm, authentic setting.
This experience offers rare private access, expert guidance, and original Uji matcha in an authentic Kyoto setting.
【Highlights】
・Private tea ceremony in a traditional Kyoto home — not a tourist venue
・Guided by an experienced tea master, focusing on learning and authenticity
・Original Uji matcha, handcrafted Kyoto tea bowls, and seasonal wagashi
・Held in authentic tea rooms (Koma and Hiroma) with a calm, respectful atmosphere
・Ideal for adults seeking a quiet, refined cultural experience
【Important Notes】
Age: Adults only (13 and under not permitted)
Punctuality: Late arrivals over 15 minutes cannot join; no refund
Dress code: Long pants or skirt; tops with sleeves required
Socks: Required (available for purchase if needed)
Kimono: Not included
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
【Age Policy】 Children aged 13 and under are not permitted to join this class. If you arrive with a child without prior notice, you will not be able to attend and no refund will be issued.
【Punctuality 】Please arrive on time. Guests arriving more than 15 minutes after the start will not be able to participate, and no refund can be provided.
【Socks Requirement】 For hygiene and to protect the tatami mats, please wear socks (not bare feet). If you forget, socks are available for purchase on site.
【Appropriate Attire】 Please wear a long skirt or long pants and a top with sleeves. Sleeveless tops, shorts, or mini skirts are not permitted.
【Perfume & Fragrance】 Kindly refrain from wearing perfume (including musk-based scents), as it can disturb the tea room atmosphere. Guests wearing fragrance may be asked to remove it before entering.
【Seating】Small chairs are available for guests who need them. Please inform us in advance.
This experience is best suited for guests who appreciate quiet settings, cultural depth, and traditional etiquette.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
A Discreet Kyoto Retreat — Where Living Tradition Is Shared Privately Step into Sakura Experience Japanese Culture, a serene private home near Nijo Castle, where Japanese traditions are practiced as living arts rather than performances. This quiet retreat has welcomed dignitaries, cultural figures, and museum professionals seeking an authentic, respectful encounter with Kyoto culture. Experiences take place in traditional tea rooms, Koma and Hiroma, guided by certified masters of tea ceremony, ikebana, and calligraphy. Guests engage directly with Kyoto craftsmanship—custom-made tea bowls commissioned from Kiyomizu and Raku potters, original matcha sourced from historic tea gardens in Uji, and seasonal wagashi prepared by a long-established Kyoto confectioner. Privacy, depth, and cultural integrity define this experience, making it ideal for travelers seeking quiet refinement rather than staged entertainment.
Sample Menu
dessert
Japanese Sweets
Seasonal wagashi from a long-established Kyoto confectioner, made without eggs, nuts, gluten, or animal products.
main
An original premium matcha
An exclusive original matcha crafted at a historic Uji tea farm. Served in hand-crafted Kiyomizu and Raku bowls, and available for purchase.
What‘s Included
Two bowls of matcha prepared with our original blended matcha from Uji
Original tea ceremony booklet A concise guide to the spirit and etiquette of tea.
Seasonal Three types of handcrafted wagashi from a long-established Kyoto confectioner
Demonstration and hands-on experience Guided explanation and matcha preparation by a tea master.
Kimono rental is not included.
Options
private session
private: you do not need to attend the others
Duration: 1 hour
2cups of Matcha: 3 different type of Japanese sweets
Reviews
59 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very good experience!
Julien B,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very interesting, we are immediately put at ease and the hosts are really adorable. That's very well explained. I highly recommend!
Very recommended and wonderful experience
Yvonne M,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We can highly recomend this place. The tea master is originally from Kyoto. She is very knowledgeable and sympathetic. The ceremony itself was wonderful and we learned a lot.
authentic Japanese tea ceremony
Rashed A,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tea ceremony lesson was excellent and smooth. The explanation was comprehensive, detailed, and connected to Japanese tradition. The host was very professional, kind, and welcoming. highly recommend
Best Japanese experience so far.
K1ngk0,Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Aya welcomed us into our home and it was beautiful She spent her time explaining the importance and the meaning behind each step and actions And it literally felt like if I was some fuedual samurai being served tea honourably. It was a truly wonderful and cultural experience Will 100% recommend It's more authentic than the other tea ceremony Because you're not being treated as a tourist but a genuine guest.
Aya-sensei is an...
Merry G,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Aya-sensei is an incredible master of her art. She led such a beautiful team ceremony. From the minute we entered her tea ceremony room every moment was savoured, all 5 senses drawn upon and enjoyed. Highly recommend this experience. Aya is a true professional, with a warmth and friendliness that enables you to really feel comfortable to ask questions and soak up the whole experience!
This was an intimate tea...
Sunny R,Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an intimate tea ceremony in a local Kyoto resident's home. Located just a 6 minute walk from Hotel Mitsui, this experience was a highlight of our time in Kyoto! We loved the host, her energy, knowledge of the tea ceremony as well as being cognizant to American visitors.
Experience that will always be remembered
Barbara P,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Private tea ceremony with max. 4 people, very familiar, learn a lot about tea ceremony, tea ceremony master training and history, taste ritual of tea making after showing for yourself, a great experience that will always be remembered
This was a wonderful way...
Mary A,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a wonderful way to learn about the Tea Ceremony in Japan. The instructor is a very lovely lady. We were invited into her home to learn about this old tradition. She was so kind and welcoming. She explained how the ceremony started back in time and then took us into a traditional tea room to show us how to make and serve the tea. It was a lovely way to spend some time seeing a traditional Japanese house and learn about the Tea Ceremony.
Aya-sensei is a...
Amanda C,Jun 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Aya-sensei is a wonderful, knowledgeable, and engaging host. This experience is a perfect blend of informative and hands-on. Highly recommend!
Authentic Tea Ceremony Experience
Alexa819024,May 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I am so relieved we chose this experience over the more touristy large group tea ceremonies. Aya-san was an incredible teacher, and it was a pleasure to both connect as humans and to learn about the history and meaning of the tea ceremony. If you are looking for a meaningful cultural experience with delightful tea, sweets, conversation, and more, I would recommend going with Sakura!
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