Machiya Tour: Explore 160-Year-Old Architecture

Explore a 160-year-old Machiya, don a kimono, and savor matcha with sweets. Discover hidden staircases and timeless architecture.

Duration: 40 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Miyagawasuji - Guests have the opportunity to explore the 160-year-old teahouse architecture. They will receive informative explanations and tour the building, observing unique features such as the hidden staircase and manual elevators within the sliding doors, which are hallmarks of teahouse design. Additionally, guests can enjoy a photo session…
What's Included
  • Snacks
  • Tea and coffee
  • On-board WiFi
  • Time to wear a kimono and take photos (choose from five patterns)
  • Building tour guide with basic English and local knowledge
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • A formal tea ceremony
  • An opportunity for guests to make matcha
  • You cannot take home any equipment used, such as kimonos or tea bowls.
Additional Information

Join the exploration of a traditional wooden machiya, a classic Japanese townhouse! A knowledgeable guide will lead the way. Machiya are known for their distinctive features, including narrow corridors and concealed staircases. These homes are a testament to Japanese architectural ingenuity, making limited space appear expansive. It’s uncommon to find a…

Location
Sawai
The house with Jpanese red lantaern. If you are 30min late,your reservation will be cancelled.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(5 Ratings)
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Daniel_m
Feb 17, 2026
Wonderful - My experience at Sawai was wonderful. I was dressed in a kimono and toured the historic buildings. Thank you for this invaluable experience.
Review provided by Viator
Maxime
Sep 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this... - I really enjoyed this tour! Walking inside such an old Japanese house was like stepping back in time. The wooden floors, the sliding doors, and the hidden spaces made me imagine how people lived long ago. I especially liked learning about the small details of the house, like how it was designed for safety and for daily life. Drinking matcha in that atmosphere felt very special, and trying on the kimono was a lot of fun too. It was a perfect mix of history and culture!
Review provided by Viator
Takeshi_f
Jul 30, 2025
A valuable experience - We visited a tea house building on a beautiful street. It was a very valuable experience to take a photo wearing Uchikake. It's a 160-year-old building, so it was quaint. The landlady was also kind and the hospitality spirit was wonderful.
Review provided by Viator
Sunshine23012651521
Jul 29, 2025
Best experience. - I was shown a house on a very beautiful street. The maze-like house was very interesting. I was also very happy to be able to take photos wearing uchikake.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Globetrotting571391
Apr 16, 2025
Worst tea ceremony ever - The tour barely spike English. All it was a walk around an old family house. totally disorganized. The tea ceremony was not a ceremony, and he didn’t explain anything. There were no Kimonos to wear. he brought out some old moth ball smelling robes and called them Kimonos. Definitely feel like we got taken.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $13
up to 6 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).