TEA TOURS · WORLDWIDE
The ones worth booking.
The 15 most popular Japanese tea experiences, from Kyoto and Uji tea ceremonies to matcha-grinding workshops and garden teahouses. The way-of-tea moments worth building a trip around.
Kyoto tea ceremony in a traditional tea house near Kiyomizu. Watch matcha made, brew your own, enjoy sweets, and take photos.
Most Popular“Extremely informative and relaxing! Felt rejuvenated afterwards”
Ju-An tea ceremony at Jotoku-ji: a 70-minute English-guided matcha ritual, purification, and a calm temple break in Kyoto.
“The hosts for the tea ceremony made it such a wonderful and memorable experience. Thank you.”
Learn Kyoto tea ceremony basics in 45 minutes with a licensed Urasenke tea master, two matcha types, sweets, optional kimono.
“It was great, intimate with good explanations. We usually don’t like the biterness of matcha but this one was of good quality and vert sweet. We had a great time with informations on tea ceremony, matcha tea and even the ceramics we were drinking off”
A 45-minute Osaka tea ceremony with English-speaking kimono instructors. Make your own matcha and enjoy seasonal sweets in a tatami room for $25.
“Walking through the beautiful tea ceremony with Kazu was such a wonderful experience. Kazu took the time to share the history and meaning behind each part of the ceremony — even explaining the significance of the tea bowls (which were absolutely stunning!). Watching her perform the ritual was both calming and mesmerizing, and she was…”
A chair-style Kyoto tea ceremony in a 100-year-old townhouse, with matcha whisking, calligraphy, flower arranging, and optional kimono rental.
“The experience was amazing! We enjoyed the whole experience, which included wearing the kimono, learning the tea cerimony, learning how to prepare our own matcha, sweet tasting, caligraphy and flower ornaments. It was a lovely moment and the guides were very kind and sweet. We really recommend doing this experience.”
Watch, learn etiquette, then make matcha at Kenrokutei in Kenrokuen. Includes wagashi and tea photos in 1 hour.
“This was a very informative and fun way to learn about the tea ceremony process and get the chance to try ourselves in making tea.”
Kyoto kimono tea ceremony at Maikoya Nishiki. Choose a kimono, learn matcha step-by-step, and sip with wagashi in 1.5 hours.
“They dress you up and help you through the whole process. Extremely professional! You can tell everyone is very proud of their history and everyone made you feel very special.”
Learn matcha and tea etiquette in central Osaka near Dotonbori. Small-group class includes sweets and hands-on tea making for all ages.
“We loved the whole experience. Waiting for us to arrive they guided us upstairs to the tea ceremony. Everything was explained thoroughly and we had a wonderful time”
Uji tea museum ticket plus a hands-on matcha grinding and brewing class at Chazuna. Learn Uji tea basics, then make your own cup.
“It was my 2nd time doing the experience. It was great and informative. The museum was also very fun. I liked the interactive aspect of it.”
Wear a kimono in Asakusa, learn formal matcha steps, whisk your own bowl, and take photos near Senso-ji.
“Amazing experience. We were able to add two additional family members to our experience very easily. We enjoyed the ceremony and the history provided. Great photo opportunities.”
Kyoto kimono tea ceremony in Gion: pick from 200 kimonos, learn matcha with a chasen, and optionally try calligraphy.
“it was a very smooth, very immersive, very unique experience! i loved the kimono, the way the attendants spoke with us, the tea ceremony and the fact that we could keep the kimono's on us for a quick temple visit (which is 10 minute walk). very unique, worth every second.”
Experience a Japanese tea ceremony in a 100-year Kyoto machiya, make matcha with a tea master, and wear a kimono to stroll.
“The ceremony was very nice. The English could have been a little better but it was no problem to follow the ceremony.”
A $38, 1-hour Tokyo tea ceremony: rare wakocha, top gyokuro, seasonal wagashi, hands-on matcha, and a genmaicha finish plus a certificate.
“Guide was very friendly and really seemed to know his stuff. A relaxing and informative experience that I would recommend to anyone curious about the Japanese tea ceremony.”
Dynamic Tokyo day tour packs Imperial Palace, Senso-ji, tea experience, Tokyo Bay cruise, and Tokyo Tower into one guided 9-hour loop.
“This tour was an excellent way to see various parts of Tokyo easily and was with a small group. Our tour guide Hiro was incredible. I highly recommend this activity for a great way to see so many parts of Tokyo in one day and excellent value for the number of things that you get…”
A 45-minute Kyoto matcha ceremony in Higashiyama: seasonal sweets, utensil coaching, and making your own frothy bowl at a traditional tearoom.
“I found the experience very informative and fun. It was a wonderful way to learn about the cultural history of the Japanese tea ceremony.”
