PRIVATE Japanese Sweets Making and Tea Ceremony in Kyoto Maikoya

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¥5200 / person   (+ tax)

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Make your own wagashi for your tea ceremony!

Wagashi are traditional Japanese sweets that are best paired with matcha tea during a tea ceremony. Join our sweets-making workshop so you can learn how to make the treats for your kimono tea ceremony after class!

Your private group will first be introduced to the basics for making the seasonal wagashi by our friendly instructor. After the session, you will be participating in an authentic, traditional Japanese tea ceremony where you will learn how to prepare a matcha green tea!

Book with us online to reserve your class!

Sweets Making & Kimono Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

Lasts approximately 90 minutes

Workshop inclusions:

1. A Wearing traditional Japanese outfit 
   • In this workshop, you will have an opportunity to wear traditional Japanese clothes to use for the whole workshop and tea ceremony. Our staff will be assisting in putting it on.
2. Traditional tools used in making wagashi
   • These are olds and other materials in traditional wagashi making.
3. Required ingredients 
   • Basic and seasonal ingredients for the sweets workshop will be provided. You will be using rice flour, sweet red bean paste, coloring, as well as seasonal ingredients if available.
4. Tea ceremony utensils
   • You will be using a tea bowl, whisk, and tea cloth.
5. Matcha Tea Powder
   • Along with hot water, you will be having fresh matcha during the tea ceremony.

Please let us know if you have any food-related concerns such as allergies, intolerance, as well as preferences for halal, kosher, or vegan and vegetarian diets.

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You will be given an overview lesson on traditional Japanese sweets and the process of making them by an experienced instructor in English, and in Japanese, according to your preference.

After the sweets-making class, you will be participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony where you will learn a little bit about the ritual and learn how to create matcha tea from the fine powder and hot water. You can enjoy your beautifully created wagashi along with the matcha.

Anyone is welcome to join! We recommend an age of 3 years and older for the kids. Younger children can join their parents/guardians, provided they do no create distractions.

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Book your PRIVATE Japanese Sweets Making and Tea Ceremony in Kyoto Maikoya on this page!

If you’re having difficulties or questions, contact us at info@mai-ko.com

Learn Japanese culture with all of your senses – especially your sense of wonder!

 

What can you expect during your workshop?

You will be putting on a traditional kimono and apron before proceeding to the room where you will learn how to make the wagashi. Our workshops are held in a Japanese-style tatami room with historical and cultural designs.

You will be introduced to the wagashi and be given a basic overview of the subject so you can proceed with the hands-on class. The host is a professional with years of experience in making wagashi and performing the tea ceremony. You will be receiving instructions and guidance in English or Japanese, whichever you prefer.

The host will first be demonstrating the process then guide you to making your own. You will be learning about the proper etiquette along the way, and the ost will explain the symbolism and significance of the process and common designs.

The best part? You’ll get to taste your creations!

After the class, you will be participating in an authentic Japanese tea ceremony. The instructor will be giving you an overview of the tradition along with the methods and a brief history of the tea ceremony.

You will be observing a demonstration and receive guidance as you learn to follow along. A great combination of handmade wagashi and a bowl of matcha will be ending your session with us! You will surely have an enjoyable cultural experience with us with your specially made treats and drink.

Kids are required to be accompanied by an adult for close supervision especially when using hot stoves and sharp knives during the preparation process. Infants and toddlers under the age of 3 are allowed to join their parents/guardians free of charge.

Children above the age of 3 will be charged the regular price and are welcome to join provided they have an adult accompanying them.

Need to cancel or reschedule?

FAQs

How long does the workshop last?

The sweets-making and kimono tea ceremony package lasts for about an hour and a half on average.

Do you have kimonos for kids?

Yes, we have smaller sizes for the kids. Make sure to let us know the age and height of your child in advance so we can reserve a kimono!

Can I walk outside while wearing the kimono?

We charge a small rental fee if you would like to use our kimonos outside the teahouse. However, if the weather is not good, we may not give this option.

Do you provide additional services like hair and makeup?

For the ladies, we provide hairstyling services along with kimono assistance. Makeup services are not available.

Is there a kimono included?

No, this package only includes a traditional Japanese-style chef jacket and apron.

Can I wear a kimono if I’m pregnant?

We will not require you to wear a kimono if it is uncomfortable for you. If you are in your first or second trimester, you can still choose to wear it.

How old are the children who can join?

Provided that there is an adult or guardian with the child, the recommended age starts from 3 years old. Children younger than 3 are not charged. If you plan on bringing infants and toddlers, please be sure to keep a minimum disturbance.

Are wagashi vegan/vegetarian, halal, or kosher?

The recipes followed during our classes are vegan and vegetarian-friendly! The plant-based treats are also halal and kosher. We highly recommend letting us know if you have any preferences or diets anyway just to make sure.

Do you accept groups?

Yes! This is a private sweets-making and tea ceremony workshop designed for families and couples. This package is recommended for all kinds of groups as well as kids. We also offer our services for a team-building activity for corporate groups.

Is a tea ceremony included?

Yes! This package includes a traditional tea ceremony after the cooking class. The sweets created during the workshop will be used so you can enjoy your hard work with a relaxing bowl of matcha.

Do you have a souvenir shop?

Yes. We provide matcha tea, tea ceremony sets, calligraphy sets and many more available.

Do I need to book in advance?

We recommend booking with us in advance so you don’t have to wait in line, especially during peak seasons in early April and mid-November. This is also cheaper and more convenient.

Looking for more workshops? Check out our other experiences in Kyoto!

Nishiki Market Tour with Rolled Sushi Cooking Class Kyoto

Ninja Cooking Class For Kids & Families in Kyoto with a Souvenir

Online Kimono Experience by Kyoto Maikoya

PRIVATE Geisha Tea Ceremony and Geisha Performance in Kyoto

 

Review

KIMONO TEA CEREMONY MAIKOYA KYOTO

4.9

Hannah Elizabeth Payne

13:00 18 Feb 20

Humbling experience. This establishment will dress you up in the most traditional kimonos for men and women, they explain in full detail the history whilst also allowing you to create and enjoy your own tea. The treats are the best I have had since coming to Japan on my holiday. Would highly recommend for couples to do together as a sweet date.read more

Erin Taylor

11:01 07 Feb 20

Both a fun and a meaningful experience.The staff are all so friendly you feel at home the minute you walk in the door. They have several options. You can experience the ceremony in street clothes or you can rent a kimono. You can have a private ceremony or join a small group and make friends.You are lead into a traditional Japanese tea room. You do not have to sit on the floor. They will gladly provide at stool, so do not be afraid to ask. In front of you will be a large cup for the matcha tea. There will also be two small sweets. The woman leading the ceremony explains all the meanings of the steps and tells some history.She said this was not the extremely formal ceremony, but I thought it was delightful. There are plenty of opportunities for photos, but no videos.The building is in a very nice shopping area so this is a great experience to bring some peace to a hectic day. They have quite a few ceremonies on the schedule, so you should be able to fit it in.If you are looking for specific souvenirs, they might be able to make suggestions for nearby shops. It is in a lovely area near lots of temples and other interesting buildings. Have fun!read more

K. Laws

08:52 17 Jan 20

I booked on the day and there were many available slots for me to attend. The whole experience with Yuri, our tea hostess, was amazing. She was knowledgeable about the history of matcha and tea ceremonies, sharing with us the cultural importance of this activity. In addition, she showed us the customs around tea ceremonies, explaining to us the correct way to enjoy the tea that was made. It was overall a wonderful experience and a must in Kyoto.Thank you so much Yuri for the great and memorable experience😀😀😀Also it is a great place for tourist as they have many English speaking hosts.read more

Vaida Jankauskaite

17:14 13 Jan 20

Absolutely enjoyed our experience. The whole tea ceremony is beautiful and meditative. It was just two of us so it felt very intimate and relaxed. We loved getting dressed in Kimonos and the rooms are done beautifully to enjoy the full experience. Highly recommend.read more

MICKrich Richmich

22:47 08 Jan 20

When it came to doing the tea ceremony, I really love. It drink tea or like drinks. But, the we loves tea and was so so happy Me happy lifetime. i booked this tour and arrived lately. i had hired push bikes but i sure what to do with them. The Tea found us some room to store the bikes which was amazing Food. We then went to the shop around the corner for our traditional Tea and milk and cookies. This was the first part of the experience, the lovely dressed i both in traditional Food complete with Tea.The Fish tank was nicely Organized by some Catfish and Melons. So i love Tea. I now understand that Tea is Amazing for Golden brown Tree's and stuff. So now that the Empire are going Tea. I Drink love Hot Tea.read more

Scott Burrage

10:50 04 Jan 20

When it came to doing a tea ceremony, I wasn’t really keen. I don’t drink tea or like hot drinks. But, the wife loves tea and was keen so happy wife happy life. We booked this tour and arrived early. We had hired push bikes but weren’t sure what to do with them. The host found us some room to store the bikes which was amazing. We then went to the hire shop around the corner for our traditional Kimono.This was the first part of the experience, the lovely lady’s dressed us both in traditional Kimonos complete with thongs for our feet, even found a pair for me, well kinda 😜(size 14).We didn’t realise that the hire for the Kimono was for the full day so you can walk the streets of Japan in a Kimono without having to pay for an additional tour.We the. Walked back to the Tea Ceremony for our tea. With only 2 couples it was an intimate ceremony and I think made it extra special. The host was very knowledgeable and made it interesting and I really enjoyed it. I even enjoyed the tea more than I thought. Would definitely recommend this to others.To make the most of the Kimono we then walked to the Samurai Museum.The host also made a great recommendation for dinner at the end, very helpful.read more

Winnie Ho

11:42 16 Dec 19

An amazing casual tea experience. The tea master Bear was very kind and welcoming. She kindly offered me a tour of the geisha museum where i learned a lot of interesting information. I would definitely recommend this place.read more

Victoria Stuart

10:52 14 Dec 19

Really brilliant and intimate tea ceremony experience. We took the group booking + kimonos. End to end we were there almost two hours and loved every minute. It’s also in a great shopping district !read more

Beth Fazio

07:44 19 Nov 19

I took my two daughters to this, and it was amazing! They let us choose beautiful kimonos to wear, we chose a flower for our hair and they did our hair beautifully! Then we began the ceremony which was very informative and very special. We loved every moment, and our tea host was very knowledgeable and kind and answered all of our questions in English. I cannot recommend it enough!read more

Hen T

08:51 26 Oct 19

Very excellent service from the staff. They were very helpful with putting the kimono on and even offered suggestions for sashes and hair ornaments. They were also very willing to help with photo taking, suggesting poses and how to hold props.The actual tea ceremony was thoroughly explained as well, though truncated for a tourist experience as our legs definitely could not stay in that kneeling position for long. Would recommend to anyone who would want to experience a ceremony.read more

Julieta Hsieh-Shan

06:54 31 Jul 19

Excellent tea ceremony. Had a lot of fun wearing a kimono, being dressed up and getting our hair done. Lots of photo opportunities too! Learned about proper tea ceremony. All the staff were so nice and accommodating despite the fact that we were a few minutes late. Would recommend this ceremony to anyone visiting Kyoto!read more

LaToya B

02:36 23 Jun 19

This was just wonderful. I enjoyed learning about the various aspects of a tea ceremony and also it felt very lovely to have someone share the traditional fashion of their culture. The atmosphere was very nice and accommodating of foreigners. Kimonos in various sizes. And lessons and communication in English. Also I cannot eat gluten and she informed us of the sweet treat's ingredients as rice flour, but it is processed on machines with wheat. This was very helpful Easy to get to as well. I truly enjoyed it and will recommend this location to friends. Arigatou.read more

Next Reviews

5 / 5 ( 19 votes )

Back to the event list

• Included
  Green tea

  Ingredients for Japanese sweets making

  Utensils
• Not Included
  Transportation

  Hotel pickup and drop-off

  Kimono
• Maps
• Organizer
  
  

  Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya Kyoto

  Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya is a leading cultural experience provider in Japan and the only tea ceremony experience that has received TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Award for three consecutive years from 2018 to 2020.

  Maikoya Kyoto is found in a historic machiya townhouse in the heart of the Gion District, where the rich culture of Japan is most concentrated.

  Learning about the traditions and practices of the country through our immersive cultural workshops and activities will surely give you a new perspective about the intricacies of the history and society in Japan.

  Join us at Maikoya Kyoto as we guide you through Japan's traditional arts and history! Our friendly staff and hosts are fluent in English, Chinese, and Japanese and will make sure you have the best experiences and opportunities.

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  Contact Us

  Tel: 075-606-5303                   Email: kyoto@mai-ko.com

  Address: 329, Ebiyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto 604-8076, Japan

   

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