Duration
Free cancellation
Mobile ticket
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Put on a traditional kimono and step inside a 140-year-old machiya for a 45-minute tea ceremony, followed by a guided tour of the townhouse with an English or Japanese guide.
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The Machiya Kimono experience & tea ceremony is perfect for culture enthusiasts to learn about time-honored Japanese customs.
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Select either a shared or private group tour—private sessions offer a more personal experience, while shared tours may involve some waiting time.
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Upgrade to a hand-loomed silk kimono, once worn by Japanese nobility. It adds a refined touch to your experience, which traces its roots back to 815 CE when Emperor Saga was first served tea by a Buddhist monk.
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Kimono rental & dressing
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Regular polyester kimono with obi /premium silk kimono with obi (as per option selected)
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Entry to a 100-year-old machiya
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Shared tour/private tour (as per option selected)
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45-minute tea ceremony
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Free photo time in the garden and tatami rooms
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Socks (please bring your own socks)
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Geta (traditional Japanese wooden sandals)
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Hair styling
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Make up
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Lunch
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You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
How do we collect reviews?
Ben
May, 2025Verified booking
Arrive at the 140-year-old machiya townhouse and step into a scene from Japan’s past. After you're helped into a traditional kimono—polyester by default, or upgrade to a hand-loomed silk version if you're feeling fancy—you’ll take a short tour of the historic home. Built during the Meiji era, this townhouse once hosted Kyoto’s elite.
What to expect
You’ll join a 45-minute tea ceremony guided by English- or Japanese-speaking instructors. Learn the quiet, graceful steps of this centuries-old tradition inside a serene tatami room, surrounded by the gentle breeze and timeless charm of the machiya. There’s plenty of time to take photos in the garden and rooms while you’re dressed in a full kimono. Choose between a shared session or a private one for a more personal experience—just note that some wait time may apply if you're part of a shared group. Don’t forget to bring socks, as bare feet aren’t allowed inside. It’s a slow, beautiful moment in the middle of your Kyoto trip—something to remember long after the tea has been poured.
What to bring
- Bring along your white socks as this helps to preserve the venue's cultural assets.
What's not allowed
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Shutterbugs, take note: Flash photography is a no-go inside the venue.
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Keep in mind tripods are not allowed on this experience. Pack wisely!
Accessibility
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.
Additional information
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Please avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing such as turtlenecks during the kimono experience.
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This experience is for both men and women.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
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Please arrive at the redemption point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption point.
Ticket redemption point
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Show your ticket at Tondaya -Nishijin Japanese Cultural Experience Museum.
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Address: 697 Ishiyakushicho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto, 602-8226, Japan.
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