Tea ceremony class in Kyoto near Daitoku-ji Temple

The tea master explains the ceremony before you make your own matcha.

A tea ceremony class in Kyoto near the Zen Buddhist monastery Daitoku-ji Temple, where you learn to prepare matcha from a qualified tea master in a group of up to six people. The host walks you through the utensils, the room's significance and the steps involved, then you whisk and drink two bowls of matcha with seasonal Japanese sweets. The experience lasts 45 minutes and includes all tools—tea bowls, scoops, whisks and containers—plus white socks and a folding fan.

The Experience

You arrive at a small tea room near Daitoku-ji Temple, one of Kyoto's most historically significant Zen monasteries. The tea master, who holds a Tea Name signifying full professional qualification, greets your group of up to six people and leads you into the tea room to view the hanging scroll and seasonal flower arrangement—details that frame the ceremony itself. Before anyone touches the tools, the host explains what each utensil does, why the room's layout matters, and how the ceremony connects to Zen philosophy and self-discovery.

You then watch the tea master perform an authentic ceremony while enjoying a seasonal sweet. The real learning comes next: you move to your own place, receive a tea bowl, tea scoop, whisk and container, and the master guides you through whisking matcha into hot water. Most people find the motion harder than it looks—the wrist work takes focus—but the instruction keeps it straightforward. You make two bowls during the session and taste both, along with two kinds of Japanese sweets that pair with the tea's slight bitterness.

The whole experience runs 45 minutes, which is long enough to absorb the basics without feeling rushed. Daitoku-ji itself is a working monastery with deep historical ties to tea culture, and the Golden Pavilion Temple (Kinkaku-ji) sits only four bus stops away if you want to extend the afternoon. The class operates in English, Chinese or Japanese, so the instruction lands clearly regardless of your language background.

What’s included

• Two bowls of matcha tea and two kinds of Japanese sweets.
• tea bowls, tea containers, tea scoops and bamboo whisks.
• white socks and a folding fan.
• instruction from a qualified tea master in English, Chinese or Japanese.

Good to know

Pets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by SHIUN AN

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want live instruction in English, Chinese, or Japanese—the tea master paces the lesson to your group's questions rather than rushing through a set routine.

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Top questions

What do I actually make during the tea ceremony class?

You prepare two bowls of matcha tea by hand, whisking the powdered green tea with hot water using a bamboo whisk. The tea master demonstrates the technique first, then guides you through the motion and the proper way to hold the bowl and whisk.

Is the tea ceremony class near any other temples or attractions in Kyoto?

The class takes place near Daitoku-ji Temple, a major Zen Buddhist monastery with a long history tied to tea culture. The Golden Pavilion Temple (Kinkaku-ji), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is only four bus stops away, making it easy to visit both on the same afternoon.

How many people attend each tea ceremony session?

Groups are kept small, with a maximum of six people per session during regular seasons and up to eight during peak times. The small group size lets the tea master give individual attention and adjust the pace to the group's comfort.

What tools and supplies are provided for the class?

The tea ceremony class includes tea bowls, tea containers, tea scoops, bamboo whisks, white socks and a folding fan. You use these tools to prepare and drink your matcha, and the master explains the purpose of each one.

What language is the instruction in?

The tea master conducts the class in English, Chinese or Japanese, so you can choose the language that works best for you when you book.

Are there any food allergies I should mention before booking?

Yes—let the operator know about any food allergies when you reserve, since the class includes Japanese sweets served with the matcha tea.