Best of · JAPAN TEA EXPERIENCES

The 15 Best Tea Experiences in Japan

122 tea experiences  ·  from $7 a head

Japan runs more tea rooms for visitors than anywhere, and they are cheaper than most people expect. The 15 below cover the Kyoto machiya sittings, the Uji mills, the Tokyo classes and the kimono ceremonies, with prices and how long each takes.

Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu - A garden created by Ogawa Jihei VII
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

1.Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea House in Kiyomizu

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,519 reviews · 45 min · from $49Our pick

In a traditional tea house near Kiyomizu-Dera, an English-speaking host introduces the 500-year-old tea ceremony before a tea master prepares matcha. You will watch the ritual, make your own tea, enjoy a Japanese sweet, and pose for a garden photo. Small groups and a peaceful setting make this a thoughtful Kyoto cultural stop.

“Friendly, beautiful, very informative. Our whole family, including kids 9 and 13 had a great time. Highly recommended.”

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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple - Finding Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple
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Kyoto: Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

2.Tea Ceremony Ju-An at Jotokuji Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 3,207 reviews · 1h 10m · from $29

Meet Kate and the tea team at Jotokuji Temple for a small-group introduction to chanoyu. You will take part in a purification ritual, watch a tea master prepare matcha, taste tea and sweets, then make your own cup with guidance. Floor seating and stools are available.

“An informative overview of view of the history and culture surrounding matcha. Excellent presentation by both the tea master and the translator.”

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Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience - Making Your Own Tea on Tatami
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Kyoto: 45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

3.45-Minute Tea Ceremony Lesson Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,378 reviews · 45 min · from $22

At Tea Ceremony Koto near Kinkakuji, an English-speaking Urasenke tea master guides you through a 45-minute Japanese tea ceremony. Watch the precise preparation of matcha, make your own tea, taste two green teas with traditional sweets, and add a kimono or candlelight setting if you wish.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and loved that we could add on rental of kimono. The setting was perfect and the history lesson of the tea ceremony was great.”

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World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience - Starting from Kyoto at 7:50 am
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World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience

4.World Heritage Kyoto & Nara Uji Authentic Matcha Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,573 reviews · from $129Top rated

Leave Kyoto at 7:50 am for a full day in Nara and Uji. Walk through Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park, Nandaimon, and Todai-ji, then enjoy Byodoin Temple, a traditional lunch if selected, and a hands-on matcha-making session at a tea shop with more than 500 years of tradition. Guides such as Nanami, Yuta, Mai, and At-Chan are known for clear explanations and warm group leadership.

“It was an amazing; fun; and informative tour. It was amazing visiting sacred sites; meeting the deers of Nara; etc. It was fun whisking our own Matcha tea. Uji is an interesting place rich in history. Tour guides knowledgable. Thank you so much.”

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Osaka: Tea Ceremony Experience - Entering the tatami room
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Osaka: Tea Ceremony Experience

5.Tea Ceremony Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,426 reviews · 45 min · from $25

In a traditional tatami room near Dotonbori, English-speaking instructors such as Yuki, Akiko, Kazu, and Mayumi explain tea ceremony customs, demonstrate each step, and guide you through making matcha with authentic tools. You’ll also taste a seasonal Japanese sweet during this calm 45-minute introduction.

“Great to see ceremony and learn some history and then make matcha ourselves, thank you!”

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Kyoto: Table-Style Tea Ceremony at a Kyo-Machiya - What Happens During the 90 Minutes
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Kyoto: Table-Style Tea Ceremony at a Kyo-Machiya

6.Table-Style Tea Ceremony at a Kyo-Machiya

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,211 reviews · 1h 30m · from $45

Spend 90 minutes in a 100-year-old Kyo-Machiya in southern Kyoto. English-speaking hosts guide you through tea etiquette, matcha making, calligraphy, flower arranging, and photos with traditional props. Add kimono rental for a memorable cultural session near Fushimi’s sake district.

“when we started to plan our trip to Japan we all knew that we would like to experience tea ceremony and we were all very excited but obviously we did not know exactly what to expect. What we experienced with you will allways be in our minds like one of the most unique experiences on our Japan trip. From the very entrance to your beautiful house, the way you welcome us, the way you dressed us up, the way you took care of us, the way you showed us everything that we needed to see and experience was far more greater that we could ever imagine. I'm so deeply touched…”

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Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience - Finding Kenrokutei inside Kenrokuen Garden
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Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience

7.Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,139 reviews · 1 hour · from $35

At Kenrokutei, a historic reception house inside Kenrokuen Garden, an English-speaking guide explains the tea ritual before a tea master demonstrates each careful step. You will taste wagashi, prepare your own matcha, and take photos. Allow 320 yen extra for garden entry.

“The ceremony was beautifully led and explained by the most lovely ladies. A great insight into this tradition. There was a bit of noise from a nearby room during our ceremony and they were so apologetic, that they even gave us a little gift.”

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Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI - Choosing a kimono at Maikoya Nishiki
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Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI

8.Kimono Tea Ceremony at Kyoto Maikoya, NISHIKI

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 911 reviews · from $65

At Kyoto Maikoya Nishiki, you choose a kimono, receive simple hairstyling, and learn the steps of a Japanese tea ceremony from a host such as Sono. You’ll prepare matcha, taste wagashi sweets, and have time for photos in a traditional setting. Morning and afternoon sessions are available.

“Interesting experience knowing about what actually goes into the ceremony. Would recommend this for anyone”

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Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery - Walking through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
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Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery

9.Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkeys, or Secret Sake Brewery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 886 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $87

Join guides such as Karim, Tom, Francis, or Toru for a five-hour walking tour through Arashiyama. Visit the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryuji Temple, and Iwatayama Monkey Park, with an alternate sake brewery and local lunch option.

“Alice was AMAZING! Our favorite tour of our trip given her depth of knowledge, ability to assess the group and adjust as needed, and her practical knowledge (buy water here, bathroom here, etc).”

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Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour - Tenryu-ji opens the day with Zen calm
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Kyoto: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

10.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $53

Walk Arashiyama with an English-speaking guide, visiting Tenryu-ji, the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park Iwatayama. You’ll also enjoy Uji matcha and city views. Guides such as Tim, Gabriele, Amy, and Nay are praised for clear explanations and friendly pacing.

“Shin and Maggie (who was training) did a fabulous job especially since we had a large group! He explained all the sites and history of each. My husband and I each had a hospital stay this past year so we didn’t do the uphill climb to see the monkeys but our friends did and gave us photos.”

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Tea Ceremony Experience in Osaka Doutonbori - What happens during the 45-minute class
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Tea Ceremony Experience in Osaka Doutonbori

11.Tea Ceremony Experience in Osaka Doutonbori

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 754 reviews · from $20Best value

In central Dotonbori, an experienced instructor such as Kazu or Mai explains tea culture, demonstrates the ceremony, and guides you in making your own matcha. The 45-minute small-group class includes Japanese sweets and caffeine-free matcha milk for children.

“It was a nice way to see how match tea is made in the traditional way. Very relaxing and informative.”

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Matcha Making Class in Tokyo with Authentic Japanese Sweets Set - Starting with matcha’s story, not just a bowl of tea
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Matcha Making Class in Tokyo with Authentic Japanese Sweets Set

12.Matcha Making Class in Tokyo with Authentic Japanese Sweets Set

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 744 reviews · from $21

In Asakusa, an English-speaking host such as Shuri, Rino, Nama, or Hiya guides you through matcha’s history, quality, and preparation. You whisk your own tea with traditional tools, then enjoy it with seasonal Japanese sweets in a relaxed one-hour class.

“Wonderful and fun experience! The instructor, Shuri, was so kind, knowledgeable, passionate, patient and spoke great English. She created a fun space for us all to learn, appreciate matcha culture and experience and make friendships to share the experience of making and drinking matcha together. Absolute highlight of Tokyo!”

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Kyoto: Tea Museum Tickets and Matcha Grinding Experience - The Chazuna Museum Sets the Scene
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Kyoto: Tea Museum Tickets and Matcha Grinding Experience

13.Tea Museum Tickets and Matcha Grinding Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 739 reviews · 1 hour · from $23

At Chazuna in Uji, you’ll explore interactive tea exhibits, grind tencha into matcha, and learn to whisk it from Japanese and English-speaking instructors. The one-hour session includes museum admission, a sweet, and views toward tea fields and gardens.

“Amazing experience! It was so informative and well designed. Exceeded expectations!”

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Kimono Tea Ceremony at Tokyo, Asakusa Maikoya - What happens during the 90-minute visit
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Kimono Tea Ceremony at Tokyo, Asakusa Maikoya

14.Kimono Tea Ceremony at Tokyo, Asakusa Maikoya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 638 reviews · from $55

At Maikoya Asakusa, staff dress you in a traditional kimono, style your hair, and guide you through a formal matcha ceremony. You’ll learn the meaning behind each movement, make your own tea, enjoy snacks, and take photos. Some bookings may allow extra kimono time around Asakusa.

“fascinating, beautiful experience. i highly recommend it to anyone wanting a cultural experience!!!!”

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Kyoto: Kimono Tea Ceremony at Orizuruya Gion - Making your own bowl of matcha
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Kyoto: Kimono Tea Ceremony at Orizuruya Gion

15.Kimono Tea Ceremony at Orizuruya Gion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 618 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $49

At Orizuruya Gion, choose from more than 200 kimono designs, get dressed with staff help, and learn to whisk matcha in a traditional tea room. Women receive simple hairstyling. Add a two-hour calligraphy lesson, then keep the kimono for a walk around Gion, subject to the day’s return time.

“The staff was 100/10. Girls was sooo sweet and kind. All process and tea ceremony was amazing. After that we went to city in kimonos. Unforgettable experience!! 🥰♥️”

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New in Japan Tea Experiences

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Pick a kind of tea day

A ceremony, a garden, a tasting bench or a tiered stand.

The ceremony

Tea CeremoniesIn KimonoMaking ClassesBrush & BowlSweets & Tea

The gardens

Plantation DaysFactory FloorsTastingsFarm Visits

Afternoon tea

Afternoon TeaBus TeasBoat TeasCakes & Sweets

And the rest

MatchaTurkish TeaBubble TeaCoffee