Kyoto · KYOTO MATCHA EXPERIENCES
Grinding your own on a stone mill takes twenty minutes for two grams, which is the whole lesson. The 15 below range from museum tastings to full whisking classes, priced, timed and clear on how much tea you drink.
Spend four to four and a half hours walking through Arashiyama with guides such as Tim, Amy, Nay, and Gabriele. Visit Tenryu-ji, the bamboo grove, Nonomiya Shrine, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park Iwatayama, with temple, monkey park, and matcha drink costs included.
“The bamboo forest felt so peaceful, and we couldn’t stop laughing at those silly monkeys at the park.”
At Chazuna in Uji, an English-speaking instructor such as Hideko or Keiko guides you from tencha leaf to freshly whisked matcha. You will use a stone mill, learn brewing technique, taste your tea with sweets, and explore the included interactive museum. Arrive 15 minutes early.
“I really enjoyed learning about matcha and visiting the museum. It would be nice to take the matcha we ground home instead of just using one portion.”
In a 45-minute small-group session at Kyoto’s aeru gojo, an English-speaking tea master introduces the Omotesenke tradition, demonstrates the ceremony, then guides you in whisking your own matcha. You’ll enjoy a Japanese sweet and browse handcrafted utensils and souvenirs.
“Our host Aki and her assistant were welcoming and friendly and demonstrated a true Japanese tea ceremony. Then Aki showed us individually how to make the matcha tea so that we could demonstrate to our family and friends. We enjoyed the casual atmosphere and small group of other foreign tourists and learned a lot. The space was contemporary Japanese and easy to find. We have no hesitation in recommending it to other tourists. Thank you Aki!”
Dress in a choice of kimono, have your hair styled if you have long hair, then join an English-led tea ceremony in Kyoto. A tea master explains the tools, etiquette, and Zen ideas before you whisk your own matcha and enjoy seasonal wagashi sweets.
“My brother and I really enjoy this tour. The Japanese lady that explain to us about the tea ceremony is wonderful! She speak slow for everyone to understand and actually wants us to participate. I recommend! 🙂”
Spend about five hours walking through Arashiyama with a small group of up to 12. Your guide leads you through the bamboo grove, Okochi Sanso Garden, Tenryu-ji, the shopping street, and Togetsukyo Bridge before handing you a Monkey Park ticket for the steep uphill walk. Guides such as Toru, Karim, Tom, and Francis are praised for their stories, local tips, and friendly pacing.
“Toru was an absolutely awesome guide! He was incredibly knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor that made the tour both informative and fun. Visiting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and the surrounding temples was so much more Read more”
Travel from Kyoto to Nara and Uji with an English-speaking guide such as At-chan, Nanami, Mai, or Tsubasa. Visit Todaiji, Kasuga Taisha, and Byodoin Temple, feed Nara’s deer, enjoy optional Japanese lunch, and make matcha in Uji.
“Tsubasa was an excellent tour guide as we adventured through Kyoto, Nara, and Uji! We learned so much about Japanese culture, history, and more. Tsubasa made sure the tour ran efficiently! We were in and out of destinations with a reasonable time to explore, eat, take photos, and shop.”
Spend three hours in Uji, Kyoto’s matcha center, with an English-speaking guide such as Karim, Miki, or Sanae. Visit Byodoin Temple and a shrine, taste matcha dishes and sweets, grind tea, make your own matcha, and browse local shops in a group of up to eight.
“It was a great all inclusive tour which we were brought to visit the Byodin temple, the oldest Shrine and tea grinding and matcha making/tasting. Our guide was very informative and shared with us fun facts like the different types of teas, how to pray at a shrine. She made sure to make a pit stop so I can collect my goshuin (stamps 😉) and translated for us when we were having communication issues. We were well fed and even a sweet treat at the end of the tour. I definitely recommend this tour if you are planning to visit Uji. We had plenty of time at the end to…”
In Gion, an English-speaking tea master explains tea history, performs an elegant ceremony, and guides you in whisking matcha from a family-run farm. You’ll taste traditional sweets, ask questions, and take home a simple recipe. Chair seating makes this a comfortable cultural introduction.
“As soon as the hot pot started whistling I got pretty relaxed! A calm and peaceful tea sip indeed. I enjoyed learning the history behind matcha in Japan, and learning how to properly mix quality matcha into bubbles. Def recommend.”
Meet your English-speaking guide, possibly Vincent, at Kyoto Station for a four-hour walk through Uji. Visit Byodo-in and Uji Shrine, grind tea leaves with a stone mill at Fukujuen Ujicha Kobo, then drink your matcha with Japanese sweets or ice cream.
“We had a great experience with Vincent! The tour ended up being a private tour which allowed us to go with the flow a bit more. He was great in showing us several temples and shrines, and talked us through the matcha making experience. We would definitely recommend it!”
Ride a stylish BROMPTON bicycle through Uji with an English-speaking navigator, stopping at Chazuna, historic shrines, Koshoji Temple, the Uji River, and tea shops. The small group format, gentle pace, and flexible route suit curious visitors who want more than Byodo-in alone.
“We had an amazing tour with Takashi. He was a great guide!”
Start at MK Kimono Rental Mimosa, one minute from Kyoto Station. Choose a kimono, receive the full outfit, ride a private taxi to Ichinenzaka 362 Café, and learn to whisk matcha in a tatami room. English-speaking staff guide the private experience, followed by free time for photos near Kiyomizu-dera.
“The matcha experience with Kimono was such a wonderful and unforgettable experience. We got suit up with the Kimono and my wife got a beautiful hairstyle. We peacefully enjoyed how the woman prepared the matcha in front of us, such an art. Finally we could take some pictures on the emblematic streets of Kyoto. The staff was very kind and enjoyed this experience a lot. I can only recommend to everyone this fantastic experience!”
Spend about three hours in Uji, Kyoto’s matcha center, with a local guide who helps you sample tea, watch matcha being made, enjoy lunch, taste wagashi and matcha ice cream, browse tea shops, and visit Byodoin Temple. The group is limited to 10 people.
“Warm welcome and gracious hospitality on our recent green tea and Japanese food tour in Uji (Kyoto).”
Spend four private hours with guide Masae exploring Uji and Wazuka, Japan’s celebrated tea valley. Walk beside the Uji River, visit Uji Shrine and Ujibashi Bridge, tour tea fields, taste at least three local teas, enjoy a Japanese bento lunch, and travel in an air-conditioned vehicle.
“Masae was very knowledgeable about matcha and very nice. We went to a farm and did a matcha tasting. She also showed us beautiful landscapes”
Walk through Uji with Terumi, tasting matcha sweets, visiting tea shops and fields, grinding your own powder, enjoying tea dishes, and taking part in a traditional tea ceremony. This small-group tour lasts about five hours and ends at Uji Station.
“Terumi was an amazing guide, so knowledgeable, friendly, fun and really knows the area well. We went to see many different locations, make some matcha powder, be part of a tea ceremony and even shopping at some of the historic stores. One of the highlights of our Kyoto trip without a doubt, couldn’t recommend this highly enough.”
At Nariko’s Kitchen near Matsugasaki Station, you’ll learn five nerikiri designs, from dough basics to delicate shaping with traditional tools. Then you’ll whisk table-style matcha, taste your sweets, and pack the rest to take home. The two-and-a-half-hour class welcomes participants over age 10.
“A truly unique experience and one we will think about for years to come. It was fun, educational, and relaxing. Our instructor invited us into her home and we immediately felt comfortable. Highly recommend!”
Pick a lane, a temple or a tea room.
