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The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk
Product code 63670P100
From
From JPY 14,300
Dates
Jul 20, 2026 to May 21, 2027
Start times
1:30 PM, 9:30 AM
Travelers
Infant ages 0-3, Child ages 4-15, Adult ages 16-99
Options
The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk
Availability, payment, cancellation, and vouchers are completed on Viator after you leave this page.
Duration
3 hours 30 minutes
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Booking, payment, cancellation, and vouchers continue on Viator.
From
From JPY 14,300
The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk





View all photos





































Duration
3 hours 30 minutes
Ticket type
Mobile Only
Languages
English
Confirmation
Instant
Meeting point
Meeting point provided
Time zone
Asia/Tokyo
Why Travelers Love This
Discover the beauty of Japanese tea culture beyond a simple matcha tasting on this immersive cultural walking tour in Kyoto. Visit historic temples, artisan shops, and hidden Zen spots while learning the philosophy, history, and aesthetics behind the tea ceremony. Begin at Kennin-ji Temple, the birthplace of matcha culture in Japan, where you’ll explore how tea influenced Zen Buddhism and Kyoto’s traditions. Then stop by a specialty shop for tea ceremony tools such as bamboo whisks and raku teacups. Next, step into a quiet hidden Zen temple to experience Kyoto’s peaceful side, with moss gardens, stone paths, and the timeless beauty of Wabi-Sabi aesthetics. The tour concludes with an authentic tea ceremony, enjoying a carefully prepared bowl of matcha guided by the philosophy of ichi-go ichi-e—“one chance, one encounter.” Located near Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine, this experience fits perfectly into your Kyoto sightseeing plans.
Overview
Discover the beauty of Japanese tea culture beyond a simple matcha tasting on this immersive cultural walking tour in Kyoto. Visit historic temples, artisan shops, and hidden Zen spots while learning the philosophy, history, and aesthetics behind the tea ceremony. Begin at Kennin-ji Temple, the birthplace of matcha culture in Japan, where you’ll explore how tea influenced Zen Buddhism and Kyoto’s traditions. Then stop by a specialty shop for tea ceremony tools such as bamboo whisks and raku teacups. Next, step into a quiet hidden Zen temple to experience Kyoto’s peaceful side, with moss gardens, stone paths, and the timeless beauty of Wabi-Sabi aesthetics. The tour concludes with an authentic tea ceremony, enjoying a carefully prepared bowl of matcha guided by the philosophy of ichi-go ichi-e—“one chance, one encounter.” Located near Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine, this experience fits perfectly into your Kyoto sightseeing plans.
What's Included
Included
Tea ceremony experience Drink Matcha (Green Tea) at a traditional Japanese house
Photos during the tour - You'll get photos taken during the tour.
3 hours with a local guide - An English-speaking guide
Entrance fees of 2 temples
Not included
Additional Food and Drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
In front of Izumo no Okuni Statue, right outside of Exit 5 of Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan line)
End point
End the tour after a tea ceremony experience
Itinerary
Pass by stop 1
Pass by stop 1
In front of the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, right outside Exit 5 of Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) A guide will be holding a orange signboard saying "Magical Trip Tour"
Stop 2
30 minutes
Stop 2
The first attraction allows you to learn the history of Japanese tea and how it is made. We will stroll through the historical district of Gion, visiting a famous matcha shop
Stop 3
30 minutes
Stop 3
Kenninji Temple awaits you. Have a look at the historical Temple that has been standing for centuries
Stop 4
30 minutes
Stop 4
Visit some craft shops
Stop 5
30 minutes
Stop 5
Visit a hidden temple & garden Next, discover the beauty of ceramics at a tea bowl shop where the raku teacup takes center stage. Your guide will share how each cup has its own character, history, and meaning. From there, you’ll avoid Kyoto’s crowded tourist trails and step into a peaceful hidden temple where time feels slower. In this quiet space, you’ll connect with simplicity, textures, natural materials, and thoughtful design—letting your senses absorb the stillness, air, and subtle beauty that define Japanese tea philosophy.
Stop 6
1 hourAdmission included
Stop 6
End the tour with a tea-making experience in a real tea house! Enjoy tea ceremony with tea master's instruction! Based on the knowledge of Wabi-Sabi learned through the city walk, you will experience tea ceremony under a tea master at last. Choose a tea bowl according to season and taste, enjoy Japanese sweets, and immerse yourself in the deep culture of matcha green tea and the tea ceremony.
Pass by stop 7
Pass by stop 7
End of the tour at tea experience places
Additional Info
Public Transportation Nearby
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants Must Sit On Laps
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
No Back Problems
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Physical Easy
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Other
Out of respect for our other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time. You will not be able to join the tour, get a refund or reschedule if you are late for the tour and miss the group.
Other
The tour might be cancelled in case of unsuitable weather for safety reasons.
Other
You do not need to pay for the guide's food and drinks.
Other
Please note that there might be other participants
Other
Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer highs of 40°C (110°F) and winter lows of -5°C (20°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour.
Other
Free cancellation and free reschedule is available until 24h prior to the tour starting time.
Other
Tea ceremony experience can only accommodate those who are and older than 6 years old. You can bring children younger than that but one adult needs to be accompanying them outside the facility during the experience.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Policy type
Standard
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Refund eligibility
100% refundable 1+ days before
Refund eligibility
0% refundable 0-1 days before
Review Summary
4.9
61 reviews
Collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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