Kimono, Tea Ceremony & Calligraphy in Miyajima: 90 Minutes

Three lessons, one afternoon—you dress, you brew, you write

A 90-minute class in a 300-year-old Miyajima temple where you dress in kimono, participate in an authentic tea ceremony led by a tea master, and learn calligraphy by writing a character on a rice scoop. The temple sits five minutes' walk from the ferry port but far enough from the crowds to feel quiet. English-speaking instruction and all fees are included; photos taken during the lessons are yours to keep.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cultural lessons at Miyajima temple

• Walk 5 minutes from ferry port
• Dress in kimono
• Attend tea ceremony with tea master
• Taste sweet and matcha tea
• Make your own matcha tea
• Learn calligraphy brush strokes
• Write name on rice scoop
• Take photos during lessons

The Experience

The lesson opens with kimono dressing. You'll learn how the garment wraps and ties, then step into the temple's peaceful grounds dressed as visitors did centuries ago. This is not observation—you're wearing it, moving in it, understanding the weight and the way it changes how you stand.

Next comes the tea ceremony in an authentic tea room. The tea master walks you through each gesture: how to enter, where to sit, the order of the movements, what each tool is called. You'll taste matcha and a sweet, then the instructor hands you the whisk and the bowl. You make your own tea, learning the wrist motion and the rhythm that turns powder into foam. The ceremony teaches you something about attention and stillness that no photograph captures.

Calligraphy comes last. You'll study a sample character, then practice the brush strokes—learning how the line weight changes with pressure and speed. Once you've got the feel, you write your own name or a character of your choice directly onto a rice scoop (shamoji), a lucky item in Miyajima tradition. The instructor photographs each person at work, and you receive the images by filling out a brief questionnaire after the class ends.

What’s included

• Kimono dressing and wearing throughout the lesson.
• instruction and participation in an authentic tea ceremony with matcha tea and a sweet.
• calligraphy instruction and materials to write a character on a rice scoop that you keep.
• photographs taken during the lessons.
• English-speaking guide.
• all fees and taxes.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Okeiko Japan

Is this one for you?You do all three arts yourself with live instruction—not watching a demonstration, but dressing, brewing and writing under the guide's direction. This suits anyone who wants to learn by doing rather than observing, and who has 90 minutes to spend in one place instead of rushing between multiple sites.

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Top questions

How long does the whole class take?

The lesson runs 90 minutes from start to finish, covering kimono dressing, tea ceremony and calligraphy in sequence.

Is the tea ceremony something I watch or something I do?

You participate fully. The tea master demonstrates and guides you through the movements, then you whisk and drink matcha tea yourself, and finally you prepare your own bowl of tea.

What exactly do I take home from the calligraphy part?

You write a character on a rice scoop (shamoji), which you keep. The instructor also photographs you during all three lessons, and you receive those images after you complete a short questionnaire.

Where is the temple, and how do I get there?

Tokujuji temple is a five-minute walk from Miyajima ferry port, set back from the main tourist areas so the atmosphere stays quiet and unhurried.

Do I need any experience with these arts to join?

No. The class is designed for people with no prior knowledge. The instructor teaches in English and guides you through each step, from how to tie the kimono to how to hold the brush.

What's the minimum age?

Children as young as six can join. The class suits all fitness levels.