Sweets Making & Kimono Tea Ceremony Gion Kiyomizu – at the Registered Cultural Property

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Price
¥12000 / person
¥10800 / 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!

You 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!

Location

KIMONO TEA CEREMONY MAIKOYA at GION KIYOMIZU
100, Rokurocho, Matsubara-dori Yamatooji Higashi iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
京都市東山区松原通大和大路東入轆轤町100

*This building is a registered tangible cultural property in Japan.
*Children under 7 can not enter the tea ceremony venue.

Trip advisor award

An authentic Japanese tea ceremony is one of the many things to do in Kyoto! During the traditional tea ceremony at Maikoya, you will be wearing a kimono and tasting high-quality matcha in one of Japan’s Top Experiences for four consecutive years (2018-2022) and Traveler’s Choice Award winner according to TripAdvisor reviews.

Sweets Making & Kimono Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

Wagashi Japanese Sweets Making

Lasts approximately 90 minutes

Workshop inclusions:

  1. A traditional kimono
    • You will be choosing from our kimonos for you to use for the whole workshop and tea ceremony. Our staff will be assisting in putting it on. For the ladies, we will help with styling your hair to suit the design of your kimono
  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.

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Sweets Making

wagashi japanese sweets making

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.


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Tea Ceremony

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.

During the tea ceremony, you will not only observe how to make matcha green tea but you will also be guided on the process of making your own by the tea master. You will be using high-quality matcha powder that will produce a brilliant cup of green matcha.


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Kimono

MAIKOYA is the only facility in Kyoto where you can experience real kimono and tea ceremony in the same place.

A selection of beautiful kimonos is available for you to choose from, and our staff will make sure you look your best for your unique Japanese experience. Ladies will be treated to get their hair done to match their kimono and traditional Japanese look!

You can take many photos by wearing an authentic kimono in the beautiful Japanese gardens of Maikoya. You can even wear your kimonos outside after your tea ceremony, and take a stroll down the historical Gion District.


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The historical scenic townhouse


Our tea ceremonies are held in a historic machiya that has been registered as a Tangible Cultural Property, located conveniently in central Kyoto. The traditional townhouse is just a few minutes away from the Gion-Shijo train station and nearby popular destinations such as the Gion geisha district and the Kiyomizu Temple. Everyone is welcome to take pictures in the tea room and the garden, along with our unique backdrops! After all, who wouldn’t want to preserve the memory of a cultural experience?

You can sit comfortably, in any appropriate way you prefer.

ryurei table style tea ceremony

While the tea ceremony is traditionally performed while everyone sits on the tatami mat, we encourage getting comfortable and crossing your legs if you’d like. Bamboo chairs are also provided upon request.

What can you expect during your workshop?

You will be putting on a traditional kimono. 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.

Need to cancel or reschedule?

You don’t have to worry if you need to cancel or postpone your appointment with us.

FAQs

How long does the workshop last?

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

Is there a kimono included?

Yes, a kimono will be provided before the tea ceremony. Our staff will be happy to assist you in putting it on and styling the ladies’ hair.

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.

Do you have kimonos for kids?

Yes, we have smaller sizes for the kids (4 years and older). Children under 7 can not enter the tea ceremony venue.

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.

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.

Are wagashi vegan/vegetarian, or halal?

The recipes followed during our classes are vegan and vegetarian-friendly! The plant-based treats are also halal.

Do you accept groups?

Yes! Our sweets-making class is recommended for all kinds of groups, couples, and families with kids (7 years and older). 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.

Review

Hannah Elizabeth Payne
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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    KIMONO TEA CEREMONY MAIKOYA at GION KIYOMIZU

    We are a cultural experience venue located in the heart of Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan. We pride ourselves on providing authenthinc experiences in Kyoto. Founded on the four main pricinples of tea ceremony (Harmony, respect, purity and tranquility) Maikoya Gion Kiyomizu has gained recognition among both locals and foreigners. Maikoya also recently has been selected as one of the best tea ceremony venues in Japan by Tripadvisor. Learning about a country through cultural workshops and activities will give you a better understanding of our intricate history, valued social principals and holistic way of life. By learning about Japan and its people, you will be immersed in different perspectives and approaches that are unique to this country. Maikoya Gion Kiyomizu offers you opportunities to understand this culture through local instructors and guides. There is no better way to learn about a new place from the viewpoints of those who grew up and live in this amazing country. What better way to spend an afternoon than learning a traditional, beautiful new art form with a knowledgeable tutor in a picturesque setting? You wouldn't find friendlier people to help you experience Japan in all its splendour.
    Our address is : 100, rokurocho, matsubaradori yamatooji higashiiru, higashiyama-ku, Kyoto google map
    Our email address is   gion@mai-ko.com