Traviia
Kyoto Imperial Palace Area: Kimono Tea Ceremony in a 140-Year-Old Machiya
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Highlights

  • Wear a traditional kimono and take part in a tea ceremony inside Nishijin Tondaya, a historic machiya townhouse in Kyoto.
  • Experience tea culture in a preserved merchant house built in 1885 and registered as a National Cultural Heritage property.
  • Choose between regular kimono or upgrade to a premium silk kimono for a more refined traditional look.
  • Explore the interior of a large-scale kimono wholesaler’s residence from the Meiji era, featuring traditional architecture and inner gardens.

Your Experience

Wear a kimono and take part in a traditional tea ceremony inside a historic Kyoto machiya, combining cultural dress and tea heritage in one visit.

Getting started

Arrive at Nishijin Tondaya and check in at reception. Show your booking confirmation before changing into your selected kimono. Shoes must be removed before entering the machiya. Flash photography and tripods are not permitted inside the venue.

What to expect

Nishijin Tondaya

Nishijin Tondaya is a preserved machiya townhouse built in 1885 and registered as a National Cultural Heritage property.

Features

  • Experience a traditional tea ceremony, typically conducted in the Ryureiseki style with chair seating.

  • Wear a regular kimono with an obi sash during your visit.

  • Explore the architectural layout of a Meiji-era kimono wholesaler’s residence.

  • Observe traditional interior elements such as narrow entrances, long corridors, and inner gardens.

Upgrades

Upgrade to a premium silk kimono for a more refined traditional appearance.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Shared or private group session (as per option selected)
  • Tea ceremony experience (Ryureiseki style seating)
  • Regular kimono with obi sash
  • Premium silk kimono with obi sash (if option selected)
  • Entry to Nishijin Tondaya machiya house
  • Socks (please bring your own socks)
  • Geta (traditional Japanese wooden sandals)
  • Hair styling
  • Make up
  • Lunch

This product offers multiple ticket options. Some items above (like transfers or fast-track access) may only apply to specific options — confirm what's included when you select yours.

Ticket Delivery

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
  • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.
  • Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.

Cancellation Policy

These tickets can't be rescheduled or cancelled.

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers to the most common questions travelers ask before booking this experience.

Booking FAQs

Please bring white socks, as shoes must be removed inside the machiya.

Flash photography is not permitted inside the venue. Tripods are not allowed during the experience.

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Kimono for men is available. Please avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing such as turtlenecks during the kimono dressing experience. This experience is available for both men and women.

Reviews

4.9 (42 reviews)

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