Kyoto Tea Ceremony and Gion Wabi-sabi Walking Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

In Japan, tea ceremony is more than just drinking tea—it’s about experiencing the essence of beauty. While we often associate beauty with outward appearances, in the tea ceremony, we appreciate the inner beauty of nature, which leads us to the concept of "Wabi-sabi."

Wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness, influenced by Zen Buddhism. Words like "matcha" and "tea ceremony" are frequently heard in Kyoto, where many tourists come to experience authentic tea culture.

Our knowledgeable guides will lead you through Kyoto, sharing the philosophy and traditions of the tea ceremony, while letting you truly feel the essence of "Wabi-sabi." This unique experience will leave a lasting impression you won’t forget!

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.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Entrance fee of 2 temples included

Photos during a tour

An english-speaking guide

Tea Ceremony Experience (Match and small seasonal snack served)

Additional Food and Drinks

What To Expect

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

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Kennin-ji Temple

Kenninji Temple awaits you. Have a look at the historical Temple that has been standing for centuries

30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Kyoto Tea Ceremony and Gion Wabi-sabi Walking Tour

Reviews

4.86

36 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Pathway of Tea
442jolley,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a wonderful experience with so many great details! The amount of people and the tour itself was perfect. The tea house was quiet and calming. Our tea teacher and tour guide were so polite and friendly. I was unsure about the cost at first, knowing there were cheaper options just for a tea ceremony but I was so glad we stayed committed to this tour. Of all the tours we had in our 10 days in Japan, this tea tour was well worth it! I would highly recommend this experience. Seeing the different tea houses, the reason the tea ceremony was created, and then finally learning how the ceremony was preformed. It is a tour we definitely would experience again.
Nice tour
Wulle9,
Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Fine tour with a knowledgable guide, Mr. Hide. Saw new areas in Gion and had a very nice tea ceremony whipping our own matcha
Cultural tour
Q8114DUstevenn,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fun cultural dive, really enjoyed the pacing and attention to detail to each location throughout the tour. Very welcoming and inviting experience would definitely recommend!
Tour guide spoke very...
Pamela D,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00
Tour guide spoke very soft and was hard to understand her English. Did not seem to know about some of the places we visited. She tried to please though but difficulty hearing her and became frustrating to us.
All right.
tamarasF6377NY,
Oct 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great small group walking tour with our great Hide guide! The tea ceremony is worth it and the visit to two temples is beautiful
Very fun!!
leebC5894XO,
Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really fun! The tour guide Hide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Gave us lots of information and helped us build memorable experiences. Couldn’t recommend him enough!
Waba-sabi!
christophepZ7076ZJ,
Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tsukito made us discover the Gion district very touristic and we feel like we are off the beaten track, The explanations are clear, the interaction is perfect, bravo! Obviously the tea ceremony comes brilliantly to conclude the afternoon with our hostess Maki who gives us a beautiful demonstration of this custom and guided us during the making of our tea.
Best tour
Discover453198,
Sep 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Hide was our tour guide. He was impressive and very knowledgeable. We had a great time throughout our tour and the team ceremony.
Bachir’s feedback - Kyoto Gion
bachirb601,
Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very Nice guided tour of Gion temples with Josh, I learned a lot about Matcha tea and Zen bouddhism. Tea ceremony Was also very interesting. Arigato Kyoto 🙏🏼
gion district leadership
H7208PEtobiask,
Aug 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Friendly, helpful guide with good English. Very nice, competent leadership. Pleasant and interesting tour of the Gion District with temples that are not too touristy and have a lot of history. Full on convinced and gladly book it again!