Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Tea Room

This special tea ceremony takes place in the most traditional tea room at Nishijin Lifestyle Museum Tondaya, a nationally designated cultural asset with a history spanning more than 140 years. Within this historic machiya lies a small, authentic tea room known as Rakuju. Its construction was supervised by the 12th-generation tea master of the Musha Koji Senke school, one of the principal schools of Japanese tea ceremony. Enjoy Uji matcha and traditional Japanese sweets as you immerse yourself in the quiet history and serenity of an authentic tea ceremony, while observing a seasoned tea master perform the ritual. Following the tea ceremony, we will guide you through Tondaya itself—a 140-year-old machiya designated as a culturally significant landmark by the Kyoto City Government. A treasure trove of historically valuable artifacts and stories, Tondaya offers a deeper understanding of Kyoto’s living heritage, shared by passionate staff. We at Tonadya look forward to your visit!