Kyoto Private Tea Ceremony with Tea Master at Home

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Kyoto, Japan

Popular pick

Booked 5+ times last week!

1 hour (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

5.0

· Jennifer_T ·

Apr 2025

Wonderful experience. Great to get an insight into the tea ceremony. Our lovely host carefully explained the background and procedures of the ancient tea ceremony. We then got to perform part of the ceremony too which was a wonderful experience. Something to remember!

· Merry_G ·

Oct 2025

Aya-sensei is an incredible master of her art. She led such a beautiful team ceremony. From the minute we entered her tea ceremony room every moment was savoured, all 5 senses drawn upon and enjoyed. Highly recommend this experience. Aya is a true professional, with a warmth and friendliness that enables you to really feel comfortable to ask questions and soak up the whole experience!

Overview

Experience a private tea ceremony in Kyoto with a licensed instructor. Immerse yourself in Japanese culture as you step inside the tea room of a local home and learn the proper etiquette of the ceremony. Prepare matcha tea the traditional way using a bamboo whisk before sipping the drink.

Enjoy a private tea ceremony session in Kyoto
Snack on three different types of Japanese sweets from a historical shop
The snacks are gluten-free and vegan, accommodating many diets
Take home a booklet about the tea ceremony as a souvenir

Sample Menu

Dessert

Japanese Sweets

Seasonal wagashi from a long-established Kyoto confectioner, made without eggs, nuts, gluten, or animal products.

Main

An original premium matcha

An exclusive original matcha crafted at a historic Uji tea farm. Served in hand-crafted Kiyomizu and Raku bowls, and available for purchase.

What's Included

Seasonal Three types of handcrafted wagashi from a long-established Kyoto confectioner
Original tea ceremony booklet A concise guide to the spirit and etiquette of tea.
Demonstration and hands-on experience Guided explanation and matcha preparation by a tea master.
Two bowls of matcha prepared with our original blended matcha from Uji

Kimono rental is not included.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

さくら日本文化体験二条城教室 / SAKURA Experience Japanese Culture Nijo Home
６６０番地 Izumichō, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-0015, Japan
Important Information Children under 13 cannot be accepted. All participants must pay the class fee. Please bring or wear socks (bare feet are not allowed). Socks can be purchased on site if needed. Arrive on time — guests arriving more than 15 minutes late cannot join and no refund will be given.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
【Age Policy】 Children aged 13 and under are not permitted to join this class. If you arrive with a child without prior notice, you will not be able to attend and no refund will be issued.
【Punctuality 】Please arrive on time. Guests arriving more than 15 minutes after the start will not be able to participate, and no refund can be provided.

【Socks Requirement】 For hygiene and to protect the tatami mats, please wear socks (not bare feet). If you forget, socks are available for purchase on site.
【Appropriate Attire】 Please wear a long skirt or long pants and a top with sleeves. Sleeveless tops, shorts, or mini skirts are not permitted.
【Perfume & Fragrance】 Kindly refrain from wearing perfume (including musk-based scents), as it can disturb the tea room atmosphere. Guests wearing fragrance may be asked to remove it before entering.
【Seating】Small chairs are available for guests who need them. Please inform us in advance.
This experience is best suited for guests who appreciate quiet settings, cultural depth, and traditional etiquette.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Merry_G

Reviews

5.0

based on 60 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Aya-sensei is an...

Merry_G, Oct 2025

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful words! I’m truly happy to hear that you enjoyed every moment of the tea ceremony and felt the spirit of Japanese hospitality through all five senses. It was a great pleasure to share the heart of Kyoto’s tea culture with you. I hope this experience will remain a warm memory of your time in Japan. Please come back again ! Aya

This was an intimate tea...

Sunny_R, Sep 2025

This was an intimate tea ceremony in a local Kyoto resident's home. Located just a 6 minute walk from Hotel Mitsui, this experience was a highlight of our time in Kyoto! We loved the host, her energy, knowledge of the tea ceremony as well as being cognizant to American visitors.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you very much for joining my tea ceremony and for sharing such a thoughtful review. I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience in my Kyoto home and that it became one of the highlights of your trip. It was truly a pleasure to welcome you and to share both the tradition of tea and my perspective for international guests. I hope this memory of Kyoto will stay with you, and I would be so happy to welcome you again anytime. With gratitude, Aya

This was a wonderful way...

Mary_A, Sep 2025

This was a wonderful way to learn about the Tea Ceremony in Japan. The instructor is a very lovely lady. We were invited into her home to learn about this old tradition. She was so kind and welcoming. She explained how the ceremony started back in time and then took us into a traditional tea room to show us how to make and serve the tea. It was a lovely way to spend some time seeing a traditional Japanese house and learn about the Tea Ceremony.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much for sharing such a lovely review ✨ I truly appreciate your kind words. It was an honor to welcome you into my home and share the beauty of the Japanese Tea Ceremony with you. Spending time together, talking about its history, and guiding you through the traditional way of preparing and serving tea was a wonderful experience for me as well. I will continue to cherish the spirit of ichigo ichie—treasuring each encounter—and do my best to offer a warm and genuine experience to everyone who visits. If you come back to Kyoto, I would be delighted to see you again. With heartfelt gratitude, Aya

Aya-sensei is a...

Amanda_C, Jun 2025

Aya-sensei is a wonderful, knowledgeable, and engaging host. This experience is a perfect blend of informative and hands-on. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience and found it both informative and hands-on. It was a pleasure to share this part of Japanese culture with you. You are always welcome back anytime you visit Kyoto! Warm regards, Aya

A Wonderful Ritual

Hilary_L, Apr 2025

Aya is a lovely host and so knowledgeable! She was able to make this experience both informative and truly fun for us and our teen daughter. This was the highlight of our trip to Tokyo and I’m so glad we did it.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I'm truly delighted to hear that you and your family, especially your daughter, enjoyed the experience and found it both fun and informative. It means so much to me to know that it became a highlight of your trip to Kyoto. I hope our paths cross again in the future — you're always welcome back! Aya 　 Sakura

Wonderful experience....

Jennifer_T, Apr 2025

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your lovely review. I'm truly happy to hear that you enjoyed the experience and the insights into the tea ceremony. It was a pleasure sharing this tradition with you, and I'm glad I had the chance to take part in it yourself. I hope it will remain a memorable part of your journey. You're always welcome back anytime! Aya Ito Sakura Experience Japanese culture Nijo Home

Aya, our host, was...

Dan_R, Apr 2025

Aya, our host, was superb. Her home is amazing and she is a real artist! This was a very special experience.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm truly delighted that you had such a special experience and enjoyed your time in my home. Your lovely compliments mean a lot to me — it was a pleasure having you, and I hope to welcome you back again someday! Aya Sakura Experience Japanese Culture Nijo Home

A fantastic experience and wonderful teacher!

Noah_F, Apr 2025

What an incredibly positive & immersive cultural experience! Aya is a dedicated and wonderful teacher with deep expertise, passion and connection to the Tea Ceremony. Although just an hour long, we were talking about this visit for days and it helped grow our appreciation for Japanese culture (and Tea!) throughout our trip.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you very much for your heartfelt message. I’m truly honored that the tea ceremony left such a lasting impression on your journey in Japan. It brings me great joy to know that our short time together deepened your appreciation for Japanese culture and tea. Sharing this tradition with you was a pleasure, and I hope it will continue to enrich your memories for a long time to come. With warmest thanks, Aya

Traditional Authentic Japanese Experience

Toshio_U, Apr 2025

The tea teacher is very kind and knowledgeable and speaks excellent English. She has many beautiful bowls and delicious tea. I highly recommend this experience.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m truly happy to hear that you enjoyed the tea experience. It was a pleasure to share the beauty of Japanese tea culture with you. I’m also grateful for your warm compliments. I hope the memories of our time together will stay with you, and I would be delighted to welcome you again in the future. Warmest regards, Aya

One of a Kind Experience

Lauren_P, Apr 2025

This was such a special experience, learning about tea and the importance of the ceremony. I highly recommend going and really embracing all that you will be taught. The sweets were one of a kind and after we bought a beautiful tea cup to remember our time.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I am　so happy to hear that the tea ceremony was a special experience for you. It means a lot to me that you embraced the spirit of tea and enjoyed the sweets I carefully prepared. I hope your tea cup will always remind you of your time here in Kyoto. Please visit my home again if you have the chance! Warmest wishes, Aya Sakura

Aya was a wonderful guide...

Alexis_L, Apr 2025

Aya was a wonderful guide for this experience. We felt welcomed and truly enjoyed learning about traditional facets of a tea ceremony. We had no idea how many details were meticulously considered for each and every ceremony and guest. It was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you very much for your kind review. I am truly happy to hear that you felt welcomed and enjoyed learning about the intricate details of the tea ceremony. Every aspect of the ritual is carefully considered to create a meaningful experience for each guest, and I am delighted that you appreciated this tradition. It brings me great joy to know that the tea ceremony was a highlight of your trip to Kyoto. I sincerely appreciate your visit and your thoughtful words. If you ever return to Kyoto, I would be honored to welcome you again. Wishing you all the best! Aya

Beautiful and educational

Susan_F, Mar 2025

I had no appreciation for the significance and nuance of the tea ceremony in Japanese culture! Aya did an amazing job of educating us and bringing this beautiful tradition to life. I learned so much in this hour to appreciate deep Japanese traditions. I highly recommend this experience.

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful review. I am truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tea ceremony experience and gained a deeper appreciation for this important Japanese tradition. It was my pleasure to share the beauty and significance of the tea ceremony with you. I hope that this experience stays with you and enriches your understanding of Japanese culture. Your recommendation means a lot to me, and I sincerely appreciate your support. If you ever visit Kyoto again, I would be honored to welcome you back. Wishing you all the best! Aya

Excellent experience

Sarah_F, Feb 2025

An incredible hostess who welcomed us into her beautiful home, Aya is obviously a master of her craft and it was a privilege to learn about the art of tea making from her. Would highly recommend

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to welcome you into my home and share the art of tea making with you. I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the experience. Your recommendation means a lot, and I hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future! Thank you so much！ Aya Sakura

Beautiful and Moving

Dinah_W, Feb 2025

This is exactly the kind of tea ceremony I had in mind when I booked it. We felt Aya's dedication to, reverence for and artistry of her craft. It was a beautiful and moving experience. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear that you had such a meaningful experience during the tea ceremony. I am truly pours my heart into every aspect of tea ceremony, and it's wonderful to know that it resonated with you. Your recommendation means a lot, and I hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable experience in the future! Thank you again, Aya

Wonderful experience in a Tea Ceremony Master's home!

Victoria_B, Sep 2024

Aya was a wonderful hostess. It was incredibly special to be able to learn about tea ceremonies and be part of one in her home. The only way to experience a real tea ceremony, is in a small, intimate setting. My husband did a class with 20 of his co-workers in Tokyo, and while he learned a lot, it was definitely more meditative. The price for a private tea ceremony was very reasonable and her instructions made it easy to find the location. Aya also has other classes such as flower arrangements - if I was staying longer, I would have taken one with her. Sadly we had to leave. For more info. on other classes, look for the Sakura Experience Japanese Culture Kyoto website. I will definitely be referring her to my friends heading to Japan.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Dear Victoria san, Thank you for having with me on the class day and thank you for taking your time to write your review for us! I am very honored to have you at my home and very happy to hear that you and your husband enjoyed my tea ceremony. Please come back again if you will come to Japan. Me and my husband welcome you anytime! Warm regards, Aya Sakura

Unique wonderful experience

ans_b, Aug 2024

Aya was the perfect tea master. She explained the history and showed all the steps of a tea ceremony in a serene, calm way. A must do in Kyoto

Response from Host, Aug 2024

Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tea ceremony and found it to be a serene experience. It was a pleasure to share the tradition with you. I　hope to welcome you back to Kyoto again in the future! Thank you so much！ Aya

An incredible experience!

Briana_O, Jul 2024

What an incredible experience!! We learned so much and completely enjoyed the hands on education. Aya had great communication via WhatsApp prior to our arrival and really great English. It was easy to understand everything she explained. Her husband took photos the entire time, which they sent to us while we were still there. This gave us the chance to be fully immersed in the experience. An absolute must do if you are going to Kyoto!

Response from Host, Jul 2024

Dear Briana san, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had good time with us in our tea ceremony experience and enjoyed the hands-on education. We also happy to hear that WhatsApp was helpful for you to come to our place. And we're glad to take your photos for your good memory in Kyoto. We appreciate your recommendation and are happy to have been a part of your trip to Kyoto. We hope to welcome you again in the future! It is too hot outside these days,so please enjoy safe travels and stay healthy. Best regards, Aya

A must while in Kyoto

Jennyfer_G, Jun 2024

I loved the detail in everything leading up to the ceremony. Thank you so much for the best possible experience.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Thank you for taking your time to write your review for us! We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed our tea ceremony. Please come back when you come to Japan again. Thank you again! Aya

Wonderful Tea Ceremony

Alison_T, May 2024

Our Tea Master was superb. We were made to feel honored and welcome in her home. The whole experience was very special indeed - a truly memorable and meaningful experience. Thank you to Viator as well for enabling this at such short notice

Response from Host, May 2024

Dear Alison san, Thank you for having with me and taking your time to giving me your review! Please enjoy Japanese tea at your home too,you can ask me anytime anything about Japanese tea. I am really happy to hear that you have enjoyed tea ceremony at my home. See you again! Warm regards, Aya Sakura

A great experience!

siamack_n, May 2024

Aya was the perfect hostess. She explained everything beautifully, and gently guided us through the whole process. We walked away with a great deal of appreciation for the ritual, and for her as well, given how many years she has been training to do this perfectly. One of the highlights of our visit to Kyoto!

Response from Host, May 2024

Konbanwa! Thank you for having with me and thank you for taking your time to write your review for me! I am very happy to hear that you have enjoyed tea ceremony at my real home. Please come back again anytime,I am looking forward to meeting you again. Aya Sakura

Absolutely lovely

Laura_M, May 2024

Lovely experience! Very informative of the ceremony. They were patient, kind and talked about the history as they welcomed us into their home. Highlight of the trip for us.

Response from Host, May 2024

Dear Laura san, Thank you for giving us your review! We are very happy to hear about our tea ceremony from you. We are looking forward to meeting you again at our home someday. Thank you again, Warm regards, Aya &Manabu

Unique Japanese culture

Barnaba_B, Apr 2024

While I anticipated wearing a kimono as outlined in my booking, I found the tea ceremony experience to be truly exceptional.

Response from Host, May 2024

Hello, Thank you for taking your time to giving us your review for us! We aim to offer the class in very authentic style to feel real Kyoto culture. We were offering kimono before COVID but we decided to quit to offering kimono and changed our program to explain our culture more deeply. We are very happy to have you in our tea ceremony. Thank you very much and please come back again someday. Aya Sakura

Wonderful start to our morning!

Heather_G, Apr 2024

This was a highlight of our two weeks in Japan! Very knowledgeable and inspired me to creat my own matcha and ritual. The matcha was delicious and she spoke very good English and was so patient with us. I would highly recommend. Also a great location; you can walk to Nijo castle afterwards.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Heather san, Thank you for giving us your review and thank you for taking your time to write it. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed my tea ceremony class at my home! I am looking forward to meeting you again someday. Thank you again! Warm regards, Aya Sakura

An Authentic Experience

David_F, Apr 2024

This was an incredible experience to get to share and learn about the art of tea and participate in a tea ceremony (including making tea ourselves) from a Tea Master herself.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi David san, Thank you for coming to our tea ceremony. And I appreciate for your review on here. Please ask me anything if you have more questions! Thank you again, Aya Sakura

Great experience

Catheryn_K, Jan 2024

The hosts were so friendly and patient. We learned a lot and had a fun time. The tea room was lovely and the tea was delicious.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for coming to our home and thank you for having with us! We are very happy to have you in our home with our tea ceremony. Thank you so much,we appreciated you! We wish you enjoyed your trip in Japan! Aya

Highly recommend in Kyoto

Luke_F, Dec 2023

This was a great experience - definitely one of the highlights of our 10 day trip to Japan. Well worth it if you are in Kyoto. Not only was it a fun time but she took many great pictures for us to remember the occasion.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Dear Luke, Thank you for comimg my class on that day！ And thank you for taking your time to write your review for us! We really appreciate you. Please come to Japan again someday! Aya

We had a phenomenal...

Leigh_P, Nov 2023

We had a phenomenal experience at the tea ceremony! Aya and her husband were so kind and accommodated us even though we were a bit late. The experience was informative and we learned a ton. Highly recommended!

Response from Host, Nov 2023

Hi Leigh san, Thank you for coming to our home and thank you foe having with us! We are very happy to have you in our home with our tea ceremony. Thank you so much,we appreciated you! Aya

A moment of pure art

lucadiz, Aug 2023

I was amazed. They were incredibly hospitable and friendly. This is one of my best memories ever. Watching the tea teacher prepare tea was pure art. I highly recommend this experience. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and this important piece of Japanese culture. Luca

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Dear Luca, Thank you for giving us your review. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed tea ceremony at my home. I am sorry for replying late because I had surgery on my left wrist and hospitalized these few weeks. I am looking forward to meeting you again in Kyoto! Warm regards, Aya

Interesting and...

John_V, Jul 2023

Interesting and educational experience. Very informative. Tea and candies were delicious as well. Would recommend to anyone who wants a traditional experience in Kyoto.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for giving us your review！ We are very happy to hear that you have enjoyed our tea ceremony in our home. Kyoto is the heart of Japanese old culture,so please come back again someday！ Aya Ito

Great cultural experience

Hilary_H, Jun 2023

It was a wonderful learning experience-and it was so nice to be in a private home settings with a lovely and deeply knowledgeable host! I would highly recommend it.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thank you for writing your review on TripAdvisor and than kyou for taking your time for this. I am so glad that I could let you know a part of Japanese culture. Please come back again when you come to Kyoto! Aya Ito

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