Tea Ceremony with Kimono Experience at Asakusa, Tokyo (427)

Step into the world of Japanese tea culture in Asakusa, dressed in an authentic kimono and guided through a traditional matcha tea ceremony.

Getting started

Make your way to TOKYO MAIKOYA at 1-12-2, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo. The tea house is around 6 minutes on foot from Exit 1 of Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza or Asakusa Line, and 2 minutes from Exit A4 of Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba Express. Your appointment time marks the start of kimono dressing, so arrive with enough time to settle in. The tea ceremony usually begins around 30 minutes later, depending on when all guests are ready.

What to expect

• Choose from a selection of authentic kimonos, with staff helping you get dressed and ready for the ceremony. Once dressed, you can capture photos in the tranquil Japanese gardens surrounding Maikoya.

• Your host, or teishu, welcomes you into the tea room, where traditional utensils are arranged for the ceremony. Tatami seating is customary, while bamboo chairs are available on request for added comfort.

• An English-speaking tea master explains the history, etiquette, tools, and meaning behind the Japanese tea ceremony. You can ask questions throughout and learn about the Zen principles of Wa, Kei, Sei, and Jaku—harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.

• Watch the tea master demonstrate how matcha is measured and combined with hot water before trying the preparation yourself. Whisk the tea until it develops its characteristic rich foam, then enjoy the matcha you have prepared.

• Traditional Japanese sweets, known as wagashi, accompany the matcha. Their flavors, shapes, and colors vary with the season, adding another taste of Japanese culture to the experience.

• After the ceremony, you can wear your kimono outside and take a stroll through the historic Asakusa district, with attractions such as Sensoji Temple and Tokyo Skytree nearby.