Kyoto: Candlelit Tea Ceremony in a 100-Year-Old Townhouse
- Candlelit Tearoom: We turn the lights off for a reason — in the dark you notice more: the water, the tea, the bowl in your hands.
- A 100-Year-Old Townhouse: Kept for most of its life by a textile merchant in Kyoto — you sit in the rooms they used.
- Three Rooms: You move from the bright front of the house into the tearoom, lit only by candles. Seven guests at most, on the floor or in a chair.
- Historical Tea Utensils: Bowls chosen for the season, some over 200 years old. Your host will tell you what you're holding.
- Uji Matcha: Grown in Uji, blended to a tea school grand master's preference, prepared by a host trained in a historic school of tea.
What to expect
This is a tea ceremony held by candlelight. We turn the lights off for a simple reason: in the dark, you notice more: the sound of the water, the smell of the tea, the weight of the bowl.
The house is a Kyoto townhouse, a hundred years old, kept for most of it by a textile merchant. You'll move through three rooms, from the bright front of the house into the tearoom, lit only by candles. Seven guests at most.
Then the host makes tea, and you drink it. The bowls are chosen for the season, some over 200 years old, and your host will tell you what you're holding. The matcha is grown in Uji, blended to a tea school grand master's preference. Your host trained in a historic school of tea.
Forty-five minutes, unhurried, with no etiquette you can get wrong. You'll take home a candle made here.
Good to know
- Participants will not be allowed to enter the session if more than 10 minutes late
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Infant seats unavailable
- Participants must be at least 6 years old to join this experience
- Not recommended for people with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for people with heart conditions
Reviews
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.
I thought it was tea tasting 😂, end up a better experience than I expected. The instructor was knowledgeable and friendly
We wish we could give more than 5 stars, because she deserves it! She was very attentive and friendly. We felt really comfortable and it was very exciting to listen to her. Thank you for the wonderful and entertaining time.
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 fantastic traditional experience!, but also just fun and engaging!. The host was super friendly and really knowledgable but also relaxed and got us to engage more as a group which made the experience so much more relaxing and fun! 🍵🫖
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.
the best traditional tea ceremony you can experience.
The mindful tea ceremony was a wonderful experience in a beautiful old tea house with great hosts. Highly recommended!
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.
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