Kyoto, JP
Experience the true art of tea drinking by taking part in this tea ceremony at Jotokuji temple. Learn about the ancient ritual of tea drinking and it's social significance in Japanese culture.
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
English
Start your tea ceremony experience by entering through the main gates of the Jotoku-ji Temple. You will pass the entrance to the Grand Tearoom on your left and a shop next to it and meet at the nearby red benches where your guide awaits. Whilst walking through the temple you are free to admire the architecture and stand by the purification fountain. Weather permitting, you are free to sit at the red benches and for a break. In the event of rain you can stand outside under the gable of the shop or wait in the Grand Tearoom. Once you have finished perusing the temple or sitting on the red benches taking in the atmosphere you are able to enter the Grand Tearoom where your instructor waits for you.
Start your tour of the Temple with a traditional purification ritual, a completely unique and insightful experience for Western visitors. Afterwards you will remove your shoes at the entrance of the Grand Tearoom and in your group, proceed inside to take your seat. Get the chance to sample matcha tea at its best. The Tea Master will guide you throughout, showing and explaining every step of the way. Throughout the ceremony you will be taught the fine art of drinking matcha tea and learn about the importance of the ceremony.
Tour guide
Chanoyu workshop ceremony
Meals
Kimono (can be rented separately)
• Please note that the Temple is wheelchair accessible but the tearoom is not because there are three steps
• For those not comfortable sitting on the floor in the traditional position seats and stools can be provided
We had such a positive experience. The ladies who held the tea cermony were lovely and extremely eager to teach us. Highly recommend doing this!
Very nice!!
The activity was good, but the person spoke too quickly in English. The children, who have a fairly good level, had difficulty understanding. It would be better to speak more slowly.
The guide was very knowledgeable and welcoming. Highly recommended!
A wonderful experience, the tour guides led us through the tea ceremony, explaining all the details and interesting facts. The location is beautiful, a room next to the temple overlooking a well-kept garden. Highly recommended.
The only thing that comes to mind is perhaps the audible level of the conversation from time to time. It would be preferable for voices to be soft and calm. That would be better, but we were at the back, and my daughter discreetly translated the essentials for me at certain points. Our hostess's voice was a little low. Otherwise, it was very pleasant.
Belle activité. Explications intéressantes. Les dames étaient très sympathiques. Je recommande.
Rien à dire c’était parfait
The tea ceremony experience was truly lovely. We had a Japanese tea master lead the tea ceremony as a demonstration, which was highly choreographed and elegant. There was also an English speaking guide who was fantastic and super personable. The highlight was that we all got to make our own matcha in the traditional way (a very small part of the tea ceremony) at the end of the experience. Definitely worth booking!