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Kimono Rental & Tea Ceremony Experience in a Traditional Kyoto House

Kyoto

4.0(28)

Highlights

  • Put on a traditional kimono and step inside a 140-year-old machiya for a 45-minute tea ceremony, followed by a guided tour of the townhouse with an English or Japanese guide.
  • The Machiya Kimono experience & tea ceremony is perfect for culture enthusiasts to learn about time-honored Japanese customs.
  • Select either a shared or private group tour—private sessions offer a more personal experience, while shared tours may involve some waiting time.
  • Upgrade to a hand-loomed silk kimono, once worn by Japanese nobility. It adds a refined touch to your experience, which traces its roots back to 815 CE when Emperor Saga was first served tea by a Buddhist monk.

Inclusions

  • Kimono rental & dressing
  • Regular polyester kimono with obi /premium silk kimono with obi (as per option selected)
  • Entry to a 100-year-old machiya
  • Shared tour/private tour (as per option selected)
  • 45-minute tea ceremony
  • Free photo time in the garden and tatami rooms

Exclusions

  • Socks (please bring your own socks)
  • Geta (traditional Japanese wooden sandals)
  • Hair styling
  • Make up
  • Lunch

Cancellation Policy

Tickets for this activity are non-refundable. If you are not satisfied with your experience, please contact us to cancel your booking.

Reviews

4/5

28 reviews

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Your Experience

Your experience

Arrive at the 140-year-old machiya townhouse and step into a scene from Japan’s past. After you're helped into a traditional kimono—polyester by default, or upgrade to a hand-loomed silk version if you're feeling fancy—you’ll take a short tour of the historic home. Built during the Meiji era, this townhouse once hosted Kyoto’s elite.

What to expect

You’ll join a 45-minute tea ceremony guided by English- or Japanese-speaking instructors. Learn the quiet, graceful steps of this centuries-old tradition inside a serene tatami room, surrounded by the gentle breeze and timeless charm of the machiya. There’s plenty of time to take photos in the garden and rooms while you’re dressed in a full kimono. Choose between a shared session or a private one for a more personal experience—just note that some wait time may apply if you're part of a shared group. Don’t forget to bring socks, as bare feet aren’t allowed inside. It’s a slow, beautiful moment in the middle of your Kyoto trip—something to remember long after the tea has been poured.

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