Kyoto: Kimono Rental & Tea Ceremony Experience in a Machiya House near Kyoto Imperial Palace

Step into a 140-year-old machiya townhouse and experience Kyoto’s tea and meditation traditions in one visit. Dress in a kimono, learn the art of tea-making in a serene tatami room, and take part in mindful zazen meditation inside a heritage home once visited by Kyoto’s elite.

Getting started

Arrive at the machiya located near Myoshinji Temple and check in at the reception. You’ll be assisted in putting on a traditional kimono with an obi sash — a polyester version is provided, with an option to upgrade to a hand-loomed silk kimono. Before the ceremony begins, enjoy a short guided tour of the machiya, a Meiji-era townhouse that reflects Kyoto’s architectural and cultural heritage.

What to expect

A 45-minute guided session that brings together zazen meditation, traditional tea-making, and cultural storytelling inside one of Kyoto’s oldest preserved homes.

Features

• Begin with two 20-minute zazen meditation sessions led by Eitetsu Nishida, introducing you to Japan’s Zen Buddhist practices.

• Take part in a tea ceremony led by English- or Japanese-speaking instructors inside a quiet tatami room surrounded by sliding screens and garden views.

• Enjoy a matcha-tasting session paired with seasonal Japanese sweets.

• Join a guided walk from Myoshinji Temple North Gate to Jusho-in, accompanied by a bilingual guide.

• Capture your experience with a professional photographer in the tatami rooms and gardens while dressed in your kimono.

• Choose between shared or private sessions — shared tours may include short waiting times.

• Remember to bring socks, as bare feet are not allowed inside the tatami room.

Upgrades

Upgrade to a hand-loomed silk kimono to elevate your experience — the same type once worn by Kyoto’s nobility — and take home timeless photos from your day inside a historic machiya.