Kimono Rental & Tea Ceremony Experience in a Traditional Kyoto House
Kyoto
Kimono Rental & Tea Ceremony Experience in a Traditional Kyoto House
1.5 hours
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience
Expert local tour guide
Put on a traditional kimono and step inside a 140-year-old machiya for a 45-minute tea ceremony, followed by a guided tour of the townhouse with an English or Japanese guide.
The Machiya Kimono experience & tea ceremony is perfect for culture enthusiasts to learn about time-honored Japanese customs.
Select either a shared or private group tour—private sessions offer a more personal experience, while shared tours may involve some waiting time.
Upgrade to a hand-loomed silk kimono, once worn by Japanese nobility. It adds a refined touch to your experience, which traces its roots back to 815 CE when Emperor Saga was first served tea by a Buddhist monk.
Kimono rental & dressing
Regular polyester kimono with obi /premium silk kimono with obi (as per option selected)
Entry to a 100-year-old machiya
Shared tour/private tour (as per option selected)
45-minute tea ceremony
Free photo time in the garden and tatami rooms
Socks (please bring your own socks)
Geta (traditional Japanese wooden sandals)
Hair styling
Make up
Lunch
Customer Reviews
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Arrive at the 140-year-old machiya townhouse and step into a scene from Japan’s past. After you're helped into a traditional kimono—polyester by default, or upgrade to a hand-loomed silk version if you're feeling fancy—you’ll take a short tour of the historic home. Built during the Meiji era, this townhouse once hosted Kyoto’s elite.
What to expect
You’ll join a 45-minute tea ceremony guided by English- or Japanese-speaking instructors. Learn the quiet, graceful steps of this centuries-old tradition inside a serene tatami room, surrounded by the gentle breeze and timeless charm of the machiya. There’s plenty of time to take photos in the garden and rooms while you’re dressed in a full kimono. Choose between a shared session or a private one for a more personal experience—just note that some wait time may apply if you're part of a shared group. Don’t forget to bring socks, as bare feet aren’t allowed inside. It’s a slow, beautiful moment in the middle of your Kyoto trip—something to remember long after the tea has been poured.
Kimono Rental & Tea Ceremony Experience in a Traditional Kyoto House
Dive into the timeless elegance of Kyoto by stepping into a 140-year-old machiya, where you'll don a traditional kimono and immerse yourself in the artistry of the tea ceremony. This experience is crafted for explorers of Japanese heritage, devotees of cultural refinement, and seekers of serene moments, offering an insight into the meticulous customs that have shaped this ancient city's identity. With its hand-loomed silk kimonos once worn by nobility adding a touch of opulence to your visit, this journey weaves historical reverence with contemporary appreciation, creating memories that will linger like the delicate aroma of green tea in a serene temple garden.
Discovering the 140-Year-Old Machiya's Timeless Charm
Access the 140-year-old machiya during your tour to experience its traditional architecture and cultural significance. The house, with its wooden lattice windows and sliding doors adorned in intricate designs, invites you into a world of tranquility and grace. Each room is meticulously preserved, showcasing the lifestyle and customs of Kyoto's past through its furnishings and decorative arts. As you glide through the narrow alleyways, you'll marvel at how this historic townhouse has remained an active part of the local community for generations.
Tour Highlights
• Don a kimono crafted with historical precision
• Participate in a 45-minute tea ceremony steeped in tradition
• Explore a hand-loomed silk kimono option, once worn by nobility
• Enjoy an English or Japanese guide’s insightful commentary
• Embark on a guided tour of the townhouse revealing its secrets
• Experience the refined elegance of Kyoto's traditional culture
Dive into the essence of Japan for explorers of heritage, devotees of cultural refinement, and seekers of serene moments. This kimono rental & tea ceremony experience weaves historical reverence with contemporary appreciation, creating memories that will linger like the subtle notes of a well-brewed cup of tea on a tranquil Kyoto morning.
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