Kyoto: Tea Ceremony & Machiya Tour – 150-Year-Old Townhouse
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
1. Whisk your own matcha using practitioner-only top-grade tea on a rare Misonodana shelf
2. Savor seasonal, plant-based Japanese sweets from Kyoto's finest confectioners
3. Tour a 150-year-old former silk merchant's townhouse and garden in Nishijin, Kyoto
4. Learn the meaning behind each movement in clear English from a 16-year trained practitioner
5. Take home simple techniques to recreate the calm of a tea ceremony in your own life
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
"This is not a performance. It's an invitation into everyday Kyoto life." ■ Guided Machiya Tour Explore a 150-year-old former silk merchant's townhouse — its architecture, history, and the philosophy embedded in every room. ■ Tea Ceremony Seated at a table, watch a live demonstration by a practitioner with 16 years of training, explained in clear English. Then whisk your own matcha on a rare Misonodana shelf using practitioner-only top-grade tea — and leave with skills to use at home. ■ A Tea Room That Changes With the Seasons The garden, tea room, utensils, and seasonal plant-based sweets all change with the time of year. Spring — Soft blossoms and sakura-inspired sweets. Summer — Cool shade and refreshing confections. Autumn — Crimson leaves and rich, warming sweets. Winter — A frost-touched garden and a glowing tea room. Come back in a different season and discover a completely different JURAKU. ■ About JURAKU A 150-year-old former silk merchant's townhouse in Kyoto's Nishijin district, preserved for future generations. Maximum 6 guests. Every visitor receives personal attention.
What‘s Included
Machiya & Kyoto cultural explanation
Hands-on tea experience by a practitioner with 16 years of training
Small-group experience (max. 7 guests)
English guidance
Choice of tea bowl
Seasonal, plant-based Japanese sweets
Hands-on matcha preparation at a Misonodana tea shelf (90 min only)
Top-grade, practitioner-only matcha
Public transportation
Options
Optional Umami Extension
Duration: 30 minutes
Miso soup
Tea ceremony
Reviews
10 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Understanding culture easy for everyone!
Camper17294275134,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had such an unforgettable moment over there. Not only enjoying tea but also being able to understand the culture is very important for us to join the experience. Also they had a good collections for unique souvenirs to take back home!
Amazing experience I will never forget!
T9632TQtc,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful experience that I encourage everyone to have. The ceremony is performed by an expert inside a machiya of cultural and historical value. Despite being in the midst of Kyoto the surroundings are calm and peaceful, further contributing to the intimate setting of a small-group experience. Would rate 6 stars if I could! I highly recommend to everyone not to miss out on this opportunity and to book directly with JURAKU through their site and support a local business. If I am back in Kyoto I will definitely return!
Beautiful Tea Ceremony
Eilise E,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00If you’re considering a tea ceremony in Kyoto, go ahead and book this experience. From start to finish, each step of the tea ceremony has so much intention, tradition, and thought behind it and our hosts were great in teaching us. This experience really makes you slow down and relax to value the small moments. The ceremony is held in a machiya, a beautiful 150 year old wooden Japanese home, where generations of a family sold their intricately designed silks. We had a delicious Japanese sweet before the tea and learned to use all five senses when eating it. Our instructors made it very easy for us to learn and follow along with each step of the ceremony making matcha, and the tea was the best we’ve had of the trip so far. Even my partner, who doesn’t like matcha, enjoyed the tea and said they really liked the whole experience! If you’re considering this, go ahead and book it!
Totally zen….
B7601CUaliceb,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Watching a true tea master is mesmerizing! It’s great to have a small go at hosting, because then you really appreciate the skill of the master. It’s a beautiful zen experience.
Excellent Tea Ceremony
S5848UJgianlucam,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic ceremony, true Japanese experience, Not the usual Tourist thing. Beautiful Traditional Japanese House, place with an important history. Really to recommend. Very good Tea Master and also the Translator.
Fantastisk!
Fie B,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I had such a wonderful experience at this Sakura Tea Ceremony in Kyoto. From the moment we arrived, the hosts made us feel incredibly welcome — they were so warm, kind, and genuinely passionate about what they do. The setting in the traditional machiya house was absolutely beautiful and added an authentic, peaceful atmosphere to the entire experience. We learned so much about the history, rituals, and meaning behind the Japanese tea ceremony, and everything was explained in a very engaging and easy-to-understand way. The hands-on part made it even more special, as we got to try preparing the tea ourselves. It felt both calming and meaningful — a truly unique cultural experience. I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Kyoto who wants something authentic, intimate, and memorable. A big thank you to the lovely hosts for making it so special!
For those who want to experience Kyoto slowly during the cherry blossom season
qia0huiw,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a very enjoyable experience. The tea teacher is kind and handsome. You can also make your own matcha. The Nishijin area of the neighborhood is also a quiet city. There are also Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and Kamishichiken sj, about 10 minutes on foot. Perfect for those who want to experience the cherry blossom season slowly.
Authentic Tea Ceremony in a Quiet Nishijin Machiya
162jinc,Mar 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a tea ceremony experience in a quiet machiya house in Nishijin. It didn’t feel like a place made for tourists—the house still preserves the atmosphere of everyday life in Kyoto, and from the moment I stepped inside I felt a sense of calm. First, the tea master demonstrated the ceremony with beautiful and graceful movements. After that, we had the chance to prepare the tea ourselves. I was a little nervous and not very skillful, but as I focused on making a single bowl of tea, I gradually forgot everything else around me. Through this experience, I also gained a deeper understanding of the connection between Zen and tea, and the spirit of Japanese hospitality, omotenashi. In the peaceful machiya setting, with the teacher’s gentle guidance, I found myself relaxing and letting go of the usual distractions of daily life. It was a memorable experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy a quiet and authentic cultural moment in Kyoto.
Memorable experience in Kyoto.
Discover780736,Mar 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Such a wonderful tea ceremony experience at Juraku. Asano-sensei was gentle and patient, and the 150-year-old machiya made everything feel very authentic. The staff were also incredibly friendly. A truly memorable experience in Kyoto.
very nice
Voyage13921500695,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A hidden gem in a 150-year-old machiya. The historic setting feels very peaceful and ceremonial, offering a quiet escape from the noise. The tea master was incredibly professional, and their meticulous technique was a joy to watch. With the English translation provided, the entire experience was seamless. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a high-quality and authentic cultural encounter
From ¥9,900
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by 聚らく JURAKU - Kyoto Cultural Hub