4 Photography Sessions Worth Booking

1.Tea Ceremony with Kimono and Photoshoot

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 90 reviews · 1h 30m · from $127Our pick

Spend 90 minutes at Kyoto’s Nishiki Market or Gion location dressing in a kimono, watching an English tea ceremony demonstration, preparing matcha, and posing for three professional photos. You can choose kimono colors and hair accessories, then stroll outside in costume before returning it the same day.

“Had a great experience very professional and well run, would definitely recommend to travellers to do this than just the dress up shops”

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2.Kyoto Tea Ceremony and Samurai Photo Session

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $71Best value

At a 100-year-old Kyoto machiya, Maya guides you through tea ceremony history, traditional matcha preparation, seasonal wagashi, and a Kyoto-style matcha latte. The session ends with photos in samurai armor. It lasts about 50 minutes for the tea portion and about 1 hour 20 minutes overall.

“Maya was absolutely phenomenal. She was so kind, funny, and helpful. And her English is fantastic. We learned all about the history of the tea ceremony and got to watch Maya perform it. We then were able to make our own matcha traditionally and then as a latte. Highly recommend!!!”

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3.Tea Ceremony with Kimono and Professional Photoshoot in Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $130

At Nishiki Orizuruya in central Kyoto, you choose a kimono, watch an English-speaking tea master demonstrate the ceremony, then make your own matcha with Japanese sweets. A professional photographer takes pictures during the session, and three digital photos arrive by email. The experience lasts about 90 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.

“I got lazy & booked a tea experience through a big tour aggregate, so I’m not sure why I was expecting something super authentic & special. The ceremony itself was lovely & our tea master could not have been nicer. That part gets 5 stars! BRead more”

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4.Genuine Tea Ceremony, Kimono Dressing, and Photography

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $115

Spend 2.5 hours with Sayoko and a tea ceremony instructor, choosing a silk kimono or summer yukata, learning shrine etiquette, preparing matcha, and taking iPhone 14 Pro photos at a local shrine and tea room. Groups are limited to three people.

“I wish I could give 10 stars! What a life changing experience wow. The communication before during and after was incredible. The hosts put a lot of attention to the details of the outfits, the accessories and a full cultural integration. I am so honored and so humbled they shared so many aspects of their culture in such a short time. We did a kimono dressing, shrine visit, and learned the proper way to respectfully make matcha. This is a MUST do. Your kindness and patience will never be forgotten. I cannot thank you enough.”

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