Sweets Making & Kimono Tea Ceremony Karasuma Shijo

Make seasonal wagashi, wear a beautiful kimono, and enjoy your handmade Japanese sweets with matcha during an English-guided tea ceremony in a traditional Kyoto machiya.

HANDS-ON KYOTO CULTURE

Wagashi Making and Kimono Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

Create seasonal Japanese sweets by hand, then enjoy them with freshly whisked matcha in an authentic tea ceremony.

This two-hour English-guided experience brings together wagashi making, kimono wearing, and the Japanese tea ceremony inside Maikoya Karasuma Shijo, a traditional machiya in central Kyoto.

Learn seasonal designs and traditional confectionery techniques in a welcoming class suitable for beginners.

Guests making seasonal wagashi in a traditional Kyoto room

Location

KIMONO TEA CEREMONY MAIKOYA KARASUMA SHIJO 220 Itoyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
京都府京都市下京区糸屋町220

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Exterior of Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya Karasuma Shijo

Important Information

  • Children under 7 years old cannot join this experience.
  • This reservation page is for English-guided sessions.
  • Please contact us in advance if any guest requires special assistance.
  • Guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions must contact us before booking.
  • The complete experience lasts approximately 120 minutes.

Everything Included in Your Experience

Kimono Dressing

Choose a kimono and receive dressing assistance from our staff.

Wagashi Tools

Use the traditional molds and tools prepared for the workshop.

Ingredients

Rice flour, sweet bean paste, coloring, and seasonal ingredients are provided.

Tea Utensils

Learn with a tea bowl, bamboo whisk, tea scoop, and tea cloth.

Quality Matcha

Prepare and enjoy a fresh bowl of matcha with your handmade sweets.

Make Seasonal Wagashi

Instructor demonstrating seasonal wagashi making in Kyoto

Your English-speaking instructor will introduce traditional Japanese sweets, demonstrate the techniques, and guide you as you shape your own seasonal designs.

Wagashi reflect the colors and forms of nature. The experience is approachable for beginners, and all tools and ingredients needed for the workshop are prepared for you.

Tea room at Maikoya Karasuma Shijo in Kyoto

Enjoy Your Sweets in a Tea Ceremony

After making wagashi, enter the tea room for an English-guided Japanese tea ceremony. Watch the host prepare matcha and learn about the utensils, gestures, and spirit behind the ritual.

You will also whisk your own bowl of matcha, then enjoy it with the wagashi you created. The gentle sweetness of wagashi is traditionally paired with matcha’s rich flavor.

Guest wearing kimono during a Kyoto wagashi and tea ceremony experience

Wear a Beautiful Kimono

Choose from a selection of traditional kimonos, and our staff will help you dress before the workshop begins. Wearing kimono gives the entire experience a special sense of occasion.

After the ceremony, you may keep your kimono rental until 6:00 PM and enjoy taking photos or walking around central Kyoto.

Comfortable Seating Options

You do not need to remain in the formal seiza position. Please sit in any respectful way that allows you to enjoy the experience comfortably.

Bamboo chairs may also be provided upon request when available.

Comfortable chair seating for a Japanese tea ceremony

What to Expect

Part One: Wagashi Workshop

Arrival and Kimono Selection

Choose a traditional kimono and receive dressing assistance before the workshop.

Introduction to Wagashi

Learn about seasonal motifs, ingredients, designs, and traditional confectionery tools.

Instructor Demonstration

Watch the instructor demonstrate shaping, coloring, and finishing techniques.

Make Your Own Sweets

Create seasonal wagashi with step-by-step guidance and all materials provided.

Part Two: Japanese Tea Ceremony

Enter the Tea Room

Move to the tatami room and learn about tea ceremony history, etiquette, and utensils.

Observe the Host

Watch the host purify the utensils and prepare matcha with graceful, meaningful movements.

Whisk Your Own Matcha

Prepare a bowl of matcha using a tea bowl and bamboo whisk.

Enjoy Your Creations

Complete the experience by pairing your handmade wagashi with freshly whisked matcha.

Reserve Your Wagashi and Tea Ceremony in Kyoto

Wagashi-making sessions have limited availability because ingredients, tools, kimono, and tea ceremony seating are prepared for each booking. Reserving in advance is recommended, especially during Kyoto’s spring and autumn travel seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the workshop last?

The wagashi-making and kimono tea ceremony experience lasts approximately two hours.

What language is the experience conducted in?

This reservation page is for sessions conducted in English.

Is kimono wearing included?

Yes. You will choose a kimono, and our staff will assist you with dressing before the workshop.

Is a tea ceremony included?

Yes. After making wagashi, you will join a traditional tea ceremony, prepare matcha, and enjoy it with your handmade sweets.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The instructor demonstrates each step and guides you throughout the hands-on workshop.

Do you accept groups?

Yes. This experience is suitable for couples, families with children aged 7 and older, friends, and corporate groups.

Do I need to sit on the floor?

No. You may sit comfortably, and chairs may be provided upon request when available.

Can you accommodate food allergies?

You must contact us before booking if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Ingredients and preparation conditions may vary, and we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment or prevent cross-contact without reviewing your requirements in advance.

Where is the experience held?

The experience is held at Kimono Tea Ceremony Maikoya Karasuma Shijo, a traditional Kyoto machiya located at 220 Itoyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto.