Kimono Dressing and Hair Styling:
Upon arrival at Maikoya, you will be fitted with a beautiful kimono. Our staff will assist you in putting on the kimono and styling your hair to complement your traditional attire.
Tea Ceremony:
Enjoy an authentic Japanese tea ceremony held at Maikoya. This serene experience allows you to immerse yourself in the cultural and ritualistic aspects of tea preparation and enjoyment.
Lunch at a Kaiseki Restaurant:
After your tea ceremony, you’ll savor a delicious lunch at a distinguished kaiseki restaurant near Maikoya. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course Japanese meal that highlights seasonal ingredients and exquisite presentation.
Lunch Details:
Location: The distinguished kaiseki restaurant is just a 10-minute walk from MAIKOYA. Our staff will provide you with clear directions to ensure you find it easily. If you prefer, they can also escort you to the restaurant.
Ambiance: The restaurant offers an authentic dining experience with traditional Japanese design and a beautiful Japanese garden, enhancing your cultural immersion.
Reputation: The restaurant is highly rated, being in the top 10% of dining establishments in Kyoto according to major review sites.
Booking Confirmation: After you make your reservation, you will receive an email with detailed information, including the restaurant's location and other relevant details to ensure a smooth transition from MAIKOYA to your lunch.
*We kindly request that you contact us in advance regarding the participation of special needs.
This well-rounded experience combines cultural tradition, exquisite cuisine, and convenience for a memorable day in Kyoto.
Kaiseki Meal Experience:
Authentic Kaiseki: Enjoy a traditional kaiseki meal, a uniquely Japanese dining experience featuring beautifully decorated seasonal dishes. The meal showcases a variety of cooking styles, including cooked, boiled, steamed, fried, and pickled.
Menu Components: The kaiseki menu typically includes a selection of fish, soup, fried vegetables, rice, pickles, and dessert, offering a well-rounded and elegant culinary experience.
Dietary Considerations: Please note that the kaiseki menu may not accommodate specific dietary restrictions such as vegetarian or gluten-free preferences. If you have special dietary needs, we recommend informing us in advance so we can provide suitable alternatives if possible.
Seasonal Variations: The kaiseki menu changes with the seasons to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients. Therefore, the dishes you enjoy may vary depending on the time of year.
Alternate Restaurant: In rare cases, we may arrange your lunch at a different traditional restaurant. If this happens, the staff at MAIKOYA will provide you with clear directions and ensure that your experience remains seamless and enjoyable.
This kaiseki meal complements your cultural experience with an exquisite dining journey, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of Japan.
Tea Ceremony in Japan
Experience a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at MAIKOYA
Our tea ceremony is hosted in a beautifully traditional Japanese tea room, conveniently located in central Kyoto. The venue is within walking distance of key attractions such as Gion-Shijo Station, Kawaramachi, Nishiki Market, and Kiyomizu Temple. Directions to Maikoya
This once-in-a-lifetime activity includes:
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony: Immerse yourself in the serene and elegant practice of a Japanese tea ceremony, guided by our experienced hosts.
Kimono Experience: Choose from a selection of beautiful kimonos. Our friendly staff will assist with dressing, including hairstyling and hairpins for ladies, ensuring you look your best for the ceremony.
Matcha Green Tea: Savor the rich, authentic flavors of freshly prepared matcha green tea, an integral part of the tea ceremony.
Wagashi Japanese Sweets: Enjoy traditional wagashi, Japanese sweets that complement the tea and add a touch of sweetness to your experience.
FREE Kimono Rental: Your kimono rental is included at no additional cost, making it easy to fully engage in the traditional attire.
Symbolism and Meanings: Discover the hidden meanings and symbolism behind the tea ceremony, enhancing your understanding of this ancient tradition.
Memorable Photos: Take advantage of opportunities to capture memorable photos in your kimono, in the tea room, and around the picturesque setting.
Unique Traditional Experience: Enjoy a unique blend of kimono wearing, zen principles, harmony, perfectionism, minimalism, meditation, Japanese green tea, and sweets, all in one comprehensive experience.
Reservation Details:
Free Kimono Rental: Your reservation includes complimentary kimono rental. Please arrive at your designated time slot, and our staff will assist you with putting on the kimono and styling your hair at no additional cost.
Guidance to Tea Room: After dressing, our staff will lead you to the traditional tea room for your tea ceremony.
Post-Ceremony Options: After the tea ceremony, most guests choose to take pictures inside our venue. However, if you prefer to explore the area in your kimono, you are welcome to visit nearby temples and shrines.
Kimono Return: If you decide to go outside, please ensure that you return the kimono by 6:30 PM.
This ensures that you have a smooth and enjoyable experience, whether you choose to stay within our venue or explore Kyoto in your traditional attire.
Prepare Matcha in Traditional Style: Experience the ancient art of making green tea (matcha) in a classic Japanese tea ceremony room, all while wearing a beautiful kimono.
Guided Instruction: A qualified instructor will guide you step-by-step through the traditional tea ceremony. This ritualistic practice is designed to promote physical and mental well-being, mindfulness, and harmony.
Learn Zen Philosophy: Explore the core principles of Zen philosophy—Wa (harmony), Kei (respect), Sei (purity), and Jaku (tranquility). These concepts are central to the tea ceremony and provide a foundation for understanding its deeper meanings.
Observe Traditional Techniques: Watch as your host demonstrates the meticulous and harmonious use of traditional utensils to prepare the perfect cup of tea, following practices that have been refined over approximately 400 years.
Make Your Own Tea: Participate in making your own tea, applying the techniques you’ve learned, and savoring the result.
Enjoy Traditional Sweets: Complement your tea with Japanese traditional sweets, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the ceremony.
This workshop offers a profound connection to Japanese culture and the art of tea, combining historical practices with personal involvement to create a memorable and enriching experience.
Your tea ceremony experience will include:
Introduction to the Ceremony: Gain insight into the Japanese tea ceremony and its associated rituals, guided by a friendly instructor who speaks English.
Interactive Experience: Not only will you observe the ceremony, but you will also participate in making traditional green matcha tea and enjoying Japanese sweets.
Authentic Utensils: The workshop uses only traditional tea ceremony utensils, ensuring an authentic experience.
Small Class Size: The workshop is conducted in a small class of around 6 people, allowing for personalized attention and a more intimate experience.
Traditional Setting: Relax in a classroom adorned with traditional Japanese décor and architecture, enhancing the cultural ambiance.
Simple Explanations: The history and techniques of the ceremony are explained in simple English, making it easy to follow along.
Hands-On Participation: Engage actively in performing the tea ceremony ritual, not just watching the demonstration.
Kimono Dressing: Friendly staff will assist you in choosing and wearing the best kimono in a traditional manner. For ladies, we provide a simple hairstyle that complements the kimono.
Photo Opportunities: Take advantage of numerous photo opportunities in front of various backdrops at our facility, either before or after the ceremony.
Artifacts and Displays: Explore tea ceremony artifacts and displays with detailed explanations in English, offering deeper understanding of the subtle meanings and rich history of this tradition.
This comprehensive workshop provides a thorough and engaging introduction to the Japanese tea ceremony, combining hands-on experience with educational insights and ample opportunities for memorable photos.
Immerse Yourself in Japanese Culture with All Your Senses
Photography: Feel free to take pictures in the tea ceremony room after the ceremony, as well as in other rooms and in front of our unique backdrops. Capture the moments that will make your experience memorable.
Comfortable Seating: You are welcome to sit comfortably on the floor without the need to sit on your knees on the tatami mat. We also provide bamboo chairs for those who prefer not to sit directly on the floor.
Reservation Options:
Experience the Enchantment of the Tea Ceremony
Immerse yourself in a feast for the senses during our tea ceremony at Maikoya. The process of preparing hot water is a sensory delight:
Visual Beauty: Watch as the tea practitioner gracefully prepares the hot water, the movements almost like a dance, reminiscent of a river’s gentle murmur.
Auditory Experience: Listen to the soothing sound of water interacting with the hot cast iron, creating a calming symphony akin to a murmuring stream.
Aromatic Delight: Experience the subtle scent of incense as its smoke swirls and drifts across the room, like a silver dragon weaving through the air.
Elegant Ritual: Observe the delicate pause as the practitioner flexes her wrist, signaling the completion of cleansing the bamboo ladle. Each movement is a moment of serene beauty, freezing time and space in a truly therapeutic manner.
Mindful Escape: The ritual allows you to momentarily forget earthly distractions and immerse yourself fully in the present moment.
Reservation Policy:
We look forward to providing you with an unforgettable experience, filled with tranquility and cultural richness.
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 four consecutive years from 2018 to 2022.
Maikoya Kyoto is found in a historic machiya townhouse in the heart of Kyoto, 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 and Japanese and will make sure you have the best experiences and opportunities.
