Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Kyoto Machiya
Not your typical “touristy” experience, go deeper and discover the spirit of Japanese omotenashi (hospitality) during this traditional tea ceremony in the heart of Kyoto.
Highlights
Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in the ryurei style.
Discover what a formal tea ceremony would entail in its entirety.
Learn about the different matcha & sweets used.
Observe the proper etiquette involved in taking sweets & drinking tea.
Understand what makes a good bowl of matcha then try for yourself.
10 meals
Experience Details
Located in west Japan, Kyoto, the ancient capital, is one of the world's most popular cities, well known for its temples, shrines, and gardens. It is recognized as the cultural center of Japan, where many traditional Japanese cultural arts originated. Chanoyu, or the Japanese tea ceremony, as it's commonly known in the West, is perhaps the most representative. Its strong influence on many other arts and crafts, from architecture and gardening to kaiseki and Zen, cannot be overstated!
In the central district of Kyoto, in the longest covered arcade in Japan, is a shop called ran Hotei. It is owned by tea master Randy Channell Soei, the highest-ranking non-Japanese actively teaching and promoting the tea ceremony in Japan. Soei is also the author of "The Book of Chanoyu Tea… The Master Key to Japanese Culture", which delves into the profound influence tea has had on various arts and crafts of Japan throughout history. Soei Sensei has been teaching the way of tea for almost 30 years in Kyoto.
In his exquisitely renovated townhouse, you can experience the Japanese tea ceremony in a traditional setting, using tables and chairs. This style of tea ceremony (called ryurei) was developed in 1872 by the 11th generation grand tea master of Urasenke to show omotenashi no kokoro (the heart of hospitality) of the way of tea to dignitaries visiting from overseas who were attending a world's fair held in Kyoto.
So come and have a truly unique experience with Randy Channell Soei at ran Hotei. See why the four ideals of tea, Harmony, Respect, Purity & Tranquility are as valid today as they were hundreds of years ago. It is sure to be a memorable highlight of your visit to Japan!
Inclusions
Tea ceremony presentation by a tea master
Randy Sensei's original Kyoto grown matcha.
Traditional sweets from Kyoto's famous sweet makers.
Make your own bowl of matcha.
Group photo.
Exclusions
Kimono
Meeting Point and Meeting Time
Please directly come to the venue. - 5-minute walk from Subway Tozai Line “Nijojo-mae” Station. - 5-minute walk from Hankyu “Omiya” Station. - 15-minute walk from JR “Nijo” Station.
Remarks
Come to learn and enjoy!
Cancellation Policy
Cancel your booking at least 2 days before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Experience Location
The bustling Downtown area of Kyoto is the heart of the city, loaded with hotels, artisanal shopfronts, specialty restaurants, and hidden bars. With pleasant surprises around every corner and alleyway, before the Kamo-gawa River to the east lies the beautiful old town architecture of Pontocho, nestled in alongside the local izakaya and lively club scene. The enormous Teramachi and Shinkyogoku shopping arcades run north to south, intersected by the famous Nishiki Markets (“Kyoto’s Kitchen”), while delicious department store basements bubble below with tasty regional samples.
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10 meals
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