Uji Tea Museum and Tsuen Teahouse: Guided Tour

Walk through eight centuries of tea tradition at a single teahouse, then explore how it's made.

A 1.5-hour guided tour in Uji explores Japan's tea heritage at Chazuna, a contemporary museum with interactive exhibits, and Tsuen, the country's oldest teahouse operating since 1160. A professional local guide in English or Japanese leads the route. Tea and tea sweets are tasted at Tsuen. The tour suits anyone curious about Japanese tea culture, from enthusiasts to newcomers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Uji's tea culture and history

• Visit Chazuna tea museum
• Experience interactive tea exhibits
• Learn about tea cultivation and culture
• Tour Tsuen, Japan’s oldest teahouse
• Savor traditional tea at Tsuen

The experience

Tsuen sits at the foot of Uji Bridge and has poured tea for over eight centuries: samurai, monks, poets and travelers have all crossed its threshold. The wooden building carries the weight of that history in its simple, elegant design. You'll step inside this living piece of Japan and taste tea prepared the way it has been for generations, surrounded by the quiet that comes from doing one thing very well for a very long time.

Before Tsuen, the route takes you through Chazuna, a museum built to show tea the way it actually lives in Japan, not behind glass but through interactive exhibits, multimedia displays and hands-on materials that trace tea from misty fields to the cup. The architecture itself follows tea's own aesthetics: clean lines, harmony, nature woven in. A professional local guide walks both stops and fills the gaps between what you see and what it means, drawing on centuries of tradition and the specifics of Uji's place in that story.

The whole route runs 1.5 hours. Public transportation options are available near both sites, and all areas are wheelchair accessible, including Tsuen itself. The guide speaks English or Japanese depending on your choice at booking.

What’s included

• Professional local guide in English or Japanese.
• entry to Chazuna tea museum with interactive exhibits.
• visit to Tsuen teahouse with tea and tea sweets tasting.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day10 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 14:00

Book up to16h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by DeepExperience

Is this one for you?The tour starts in Uji with public transit nearby, so you don't need a car or a hotel in a specific neighborhood to join. The 1.5-hour route fits between other plans, and all areas including Tsuen are wheelchair accessible.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What is Tsuen and why does it matter for understanding Japanese tea?

Tsuen is Japan's oldest operating teahouse, founded in 1160 at the foot of Uji Bridge. For over eight centuries it has served tea using the same methods and hospitality, making it a direct link to how tea was experienced in medieval Japan and how it is still prepared today.

What will I actually do at Chazuna?

Chazuna is a contemporary museum where you explore tea through interactive exhibits and multimedia displays that show the journey from cultivation to culture. You'll handle educational materials and see how tea fits into Japanese daily life and ritual, guided by someone who can explain what you're seeing.

Is tea tasting included, and what kind of tea will I taste?

Yes, tea and tea sweets are included as part of the tasting at Tsuen teahouse. The specific variety depends on what the teahouse is serving that day. Your guide will explain the tea's origin and preparation as you taste it.

Do I need to know anything about tea beforehand to enjoy this tour?

No. The tour is built for both seasoned tea enthusiasts and curious newcomers. Your guide brings the history and tradition to life, so you'll understand the context whether or not you've studied tea before.

How do I get to the starting point if I don't have a car?

Public transportation options are available near both Chazuna and Tsuen. Your guide can advise on the best route from your hotel or meeting point when you book.