Kyoto: Candlelit Tea Ceremony in a 100-Year-Old Townhouse

The experience was like entering a parallel spiritual world; everything was perfect and authentic. Our guide spoke English well and was very kind in explaining various details and answering our questions regarding the tea ceremony. It was intoxicating to enter the world of Japanese traditions inside an authentic tea house. I would do this experience a hundred more times, and I recommend it without hesitation. A special thanks to our demonstrator of the tea preparation! Greetings from France! See you soon!

Beautiful, calm experience in a stunning historic building. We enjoyed learning about Japanese tea culture and ceremonies while trying freshly selected matcha and hojicha. Our hosts were knowledgeable and kind, making us feel welcomed. Would highly recommend for tea lovers.

The tea ceremony was a great way to take a break from our busy trip and the energetic city. It was beautiful to watch how carefully everything was prepared, from the cups, to the temperature of the water, and serving of the tea. It was a nice sized group, six of us. I also enjoyed the location, sitting on the tatami mats, and moving to different rooms. I could have enjoyed it for another hour just because it was so peaceful. Every movement was intentional and this was a great way to experience the culture of Japan. I also loved the short meditation before enjoying the matcha. The matcha bowls were amazing, I love that our guide shared where they all came from and what kind of technique and material was used because I’m interested in pottery. The location was also easy to find and near other areas worth checking out. We walked around the neighborhood afterward and just enjoyed being present and were so thankful we booked this experience.

My partner and I booked this experience to celebrate our anniversary, and it was truly unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, the natural light and tranquil atmosphere of Oboro Tea House made us feel completely at ease. Our Tea Master, Ryoko-san, was incredibly knowledgeable and offered such meaningful insight into Japanese culture. Being so close to the station, we never expected to discover such a peaceful sanctuary. We left this magical experience feeling calm, grounded, and more aware of the beauty in imperfection - one of the most memorable lessons Ryoko-san shared with us. Thank you for such a special experience.

The tea ceremony is really well organized! It's a lovely moment to slow down and get away from the fast-paced, hectic tourist days. Watching the ceremony is like meditating. The tradition is explained, and the tea tastes great.

This was a beautiful experience. The host spoke near fluent english and was open for any questions you might have. She explained every step of the ceremony and took enough time for everyone to be able to enjoy the moment and reach the mindfulness the ceremony was hoping to achieve. We also received a small gift at the end of the ceremony.

Great and educating experience! the atmosphere was very authentic. I truly would of give 10 stars if we had the option. such a great experience. the ladies were so kind, and answered all of our questions

This was by far one of the highlights of my trip. It’s a great sensory reset from the bustling city and the tea master guides you into such a zen space that adds to the overall ceremony. 100% reccomend.

A wonderful experience in a very beautiful, traditional house. The hosts were very friendly and expertly introduced us to the traditions of the tea ceremony. An unforgettable experience for us.

This was a very unique and enjoyable experience. Our group was only 4 people and the intimate setting was enlightening. The instructor was very informative and did an excellent job showing the traditions of the tea ceremony.