Kyoto Kimono Experience: Traditional Tea Ceremony

Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Kyoto at Tondaya, a historic machiya house offering a tea ceremony and kimono experience. Discover the art of kimono dressing, indulge in a traditional tea ceremony, and explore the captivating history of Kyoto on a Machiya tour.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Tondaya - Nishijin Japanese Cultural Experience Museum - Enter a beautifully preserved Kyoto machiya, don an exquisite silk kimono, and partake in a tea ceremony led by our experienced tea master. Explore Tondaya, a nationally registered Important Cultural Property with a rich heritage.
    Important Notes:
  • This experience is conducted in a group…
What's Included
  • Kimono experience
  • Entrance fees
  • Tea ceremony experience
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Make up
  • Hair styling
  • Socks (please bring your own socks or you could buy one here)
  • Geta (traditional Japanese wooden sandals)
Additional Information

Embark on a cultural adventure in Kyoto at Tondaya, an extraordinary 140-year-old machiya that is nationally acknowledged as a cultural treasure. Upon entering this traditional townhouse, the essence of ancient Kyoto is palpable, with its exquisite woodwork, tranquil gardens, and an array of fascinating historical artifacts that narrate stories from…

Location
Tondaya -Nishijin Japanese Cultural Experience Museum
※Please wear socks to protect the building. ※We cannot lend you a kimono if your T-shirt is wet. Please bring a dry one or consider buying one here. ※The tea ceremony is a group activity and will start on the scheduled time.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.1
(92 Ratings)
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Orley_g
Dec 26, 2025
Such an authentic immersive experience - We were expecting a cultural center that was easy to spot and similar to a museum. It is actually a Japanese house and if you get there before it opens it is easy to miss. Fantastic experience with a woman who lives and breathes the culture.
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_p
Dec 6, 2025
Tea Ceremony fun! - This was probably my favorite activity during my entire trip to Japan! We got to wear traditional kimonos and learn about tea ceremonies with our great guide!
Review provided by Viator
Candice_k
Nov 9, 2025
Memorable Experience - Highlight of our Kyoto visit. Very quaint, authentic experience. The traditional garments are well made, you choose colors then you are dressed over your own clothing. The home is very authentic, historical home. Beautiful gardens. The tea ceremony is highly informative and interesting. Worth the money for this experience.
Review provided by Viator
258erint
Oct 22, 2025
Amazing experience - This experience completely exceeded our expectations from start to finish! We got to choose our own kimonos and matching hairpieces, and the woman who helped us with the fitting was so funny and incredibly sweet. The tea-making process was explained in great detail, with our guide using Google Translate to make sure we understood everything perfectly. After the ceremony, we were given a tour of the home, which was absolutely beautiful. Highly recommend this experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Getaway46695103218
Oct 13, 2025
A small taste of tea ceremony history - The tea ceremony experience was fantastic. It was in a historic building that made you feel like you went back in time. You get the chance to explore the building and enjoy learning about the history of the building and ceremonies before taking part in one. While the experience had a few more people than expected the ceremony itself was fantastic and our host was wonderful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mrsmurff
Jun 29, 2025
Tea Ceremony & Kimono Experience - This event was a true highlight during my 2 week visit to Japan. The staff was very friendly! They let me select my kimono and dressed me expertly, then took several photos and videos of me in the lovely garment around the property. The tea ceremony was brief, but the information presented was thorough. After the tea ceremony, the host led us on a short tour around the building and explained many cultural & historical aspects. During the tea ceremony and again after the tour, I was allowed and encouraged to take videos and pictures, and again, the host offered to take pictures of me, as I am a solo traveler. The small group size & courteous staff made this experience something I can't recommend enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samiamallday
Jun 22, 2025
Fabulous tour with Michael - We LOVED this tour for our family of 5 - and Michael was a fantastic tour guide that made the experience. It was incredibly informative, fun, light-hearted and felt like we were getting a true glimpse into life in Kyoto. We loved learning about the journey of geishas, the delicious 1000 year old store and everything in between. Michael was funny, considerate, very knowledgeable and engaging. Great tour and the bikes were awesome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Margaret_h
Jun 9, 2025
Authentic experience in historical home - This tea ceremony was performed in a private room. The women assisting with the kimonos were very respectful and kind. This is not touristy. It is very authentic. Beautiful historical home.
Review provided by Viator
Roz_c
May 26, 2025
Beautiful tea ceremony - It was a recovery experience, dressing up in a traditional kimono with accessories, having photos taken and then participating a in a tea ceremony and drinking matcha tea with a sweet.
Review provided by Viator
Thatnavinraj
May 3, 2025
Perfect experience for lovers of tea, architecture, and history! - A perfect experience. My mother was visiting Japan from the United States and said that doing a tea ceremony and trying on a kimono were at the top of her experience list. As a family, we also love architecture, gardens, and history. If any of these things ring true for you, then the tea ceremony/kimono experience at Tondaya cannot be missed. The number one part of this experience was the friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating staff. They were highly organized, guiding us from putting on clothes to the tea ceremony with ease and fluent English. They made putting on the clothes simple. Most importantly, they were so knowledgeable about history and culture. We particularly enjoyed finding similarities between our own Indian culture and their Japanese culture. A particular thanks to the young woman who was our primary guide. She not only dressed us and performed the tea ceremony, but answered all our questions and took beautiful photos of us. She’s a true professional! Next, the setting cannot be missed. The Tondaya townhouse is gorgeous. It has six beautiful gardens. On a warm day, they opened the sliding doors and a gentle breeze came through that added to our enjoyment. The house is rich in history too. We really enjoyed learning about the Noh performances that took place there. I could say more and more. Needless to say, don’t miss this experience. It’s also great for those, like us, who are too shy to wear the kimonos out in town, but are curious about the experience. It’s a private way to enjoy some delicious matcha tea in style. Thank you again! ありがとございました!またね!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $170
up to 8 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).