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Highlights
- Step into Rakuju, an authentic tea room, and watch a seasoned tea master perform a traditional Kyoto tea ceremony.
- Enjoy Uji matcha and traditional Japanese sweets as part of an intimate cultural experience in a historic Kyoto machiya.
- Explore Tondaya’s 1885 machiya with a guided tour, discovering its traditional gardens, tea rooms, and preserved cultural heritage.
- Choose a No Kimono, Silk Kimono, or Private Silk Kimono option to tailor your tea ceremony experience to your preferences.
Your Experience
Experience an authentic Kyoto tea ceremony inside Tondaya, a historic machiya dating back to 1885, with Uji matcha, Japanese sweets, and a guided look at its traditional spaces.
Getting started
Make your way to Nishijin Lifestyle Museum Tondaya, where the experience begins inside this preserved Kyoto machiya. Once inside, settle into the traditional setting before your tea ceremony begins. Depending on your selected option, you can also change into a silk kimono for a more immersive experience.
What to expect
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The tea ceremony takes place in Rakuju, a small authentic tea room whose construction was supervised by the 12th-generation tea master of the Musha Koji Senke school, one of Japan’s principal tea ceremony schools. The intimate setting offers a closer look at the customs and details behind this centuries-old tradition.
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As the ceremony unfolds, a seasoned tea master demonstrates the precise movements and rituals involved in preparing and serving tea. You’ll enjoy Uji matcha and traditional Japanese sweets, giving you a chance to experience one of Kyoto’s most enduring cultural traditions.
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After the ceremony, continue with a guided tour of Tondaya’s historic machiya. Built in 1885, the property is recognized for its cultural and architectural significance and preserves six traditional gardens, three tea rooms, two wells, three storehouses, and a Noh stage.
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Throughout the tour, staff share stories and introduce historic artifacts connected to the house and its way of life. The experience offers more than a tea ceremony, bringing together Kyoto tea culture, traditional Japanese architecture, and the heritage of Nishijin in one visit.
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Depending on your ticket, the experience can also include a silk kimono or a private silk kimono option, adding another layer to your time inside this historic Kyoto setting.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Admission to Nishijin Lifestyle Museum
- Authentic tea ceremony experience
- Guided tour of historic Tondaya machiya
- Uji matcha and Japanese sweets
- Silk kimono experience (as per option selected)
- Private tea ceremony experience (as per option selected)
- Socks for the tea ceremony
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
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the most common questions travelers ask before booking this experience.