Tea ceremony and kimono experience at Kyoto, Tondaya
3.9
57 Ratings
Kyoto
Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Kyoto at Tondaya, a historic machiya house offering a tea ceremony and kimono experience. Discover the art of kimono dressing, indulge in a traditional tea ceremony, and explore the captivating history of Kyoto on a Machiya tour.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Tondaya -Nishijin Japanese Cultural Experience Museum - The tea ceremony is not just about drinking tea; it is also a means of spiritual enlightenment. In this plan, you will experience wearing a beautiful kimono and participating in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
The plan is as follows
Upon arrival, you will first put on a kimono.
We will then take you to a machiya (townhouse) that has been used for 140 years, in kimono.
Feel free to take pictures in the machiya.
Estimated tour time
The maximum experience time for the activity is set at 1 hour.
Please note that the time may vary depending on how crowded the tour is.
❖Please bring socks to protect cultural assets.
❖Please avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing such as turtlenecks during the kimono experience.
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What's Included
- Tour of a townhouse
- Kimono experience
- Tea ceremony experience
What's Not Included
- Lunch
Additional Information
Tondaya, an historic Kyoto machiya house, achieved National Cultural Heritage status in 1999 and was further recognized as a Structure of Landscape Importance in Kyoto in 2007. Originally launched as a Kimono wholesaler 140 years ago, we have since transformed into the Nishijin Lifestyle Museum, dedicated to fostering the understanding of traditional Kyoto lifestyle culture. At Tondaya, visitors can immerse themselves in Japan’s rich cultural heritage, with opportunities to experience traditional Kimono dressings, partake in a tea ceremony, and tour the historic Machiya, a place steeped in the history of Kyoto.
Location
Tondaya -Nishijin Japanese Cultural Experience Museum
※Please bring socks to protect cultural assets.
※Please avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing such as turtlenecks during the kimono experience.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.9
(57 Ratings)
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Jeffrey_l
Apr 6, 2024
We enjoy the tea! - It’s really an experience to learn about the tea ceremony, one of a kind Japanese culture!
The family house is amazing and the tea master is fun and teaches us a lot!
It feels special to dress in kimono and attend the tea ceremony. Wonderful experience.
Review provided by Viator
Todd_m
Mar 22, 2024
Definitely Do This! - The tea ceremony was everything we expected, including the fact that we got to dress up in Kimono outfits! Very cool experience!
Review provided by Viator
Jen_m
Apr 16, 2024
Ok experience - We had an ok experience. The place was difficult to find. After being dressed in a kimono, we took a few pictures and got a tour of the tea house. Then we had the ceremony which in our opinion was lacking. We were expecting to learn about the history or the steps of the tea ceremony but it was basically watching someone make the tea and being taught the proper way to drink it. It was not what we were expecting and in our opinion overpriced for the whole experience. The people were nice, but it wasn’t what we were expecting. We wouldn’t do this again for this price.
Review provided by Viator
Nancy_s
Apr 5, 2024
Underwhelming - Enjoyed the experience of putting on a kimono with beautiful areas to memorialize in photos; however, disorganized and chaotic. Too many people, activity started late because participants were tardy and it took time to put on kimonos. Difficult to understand the woman’s English providing history of tea ceremony. Very, very distracting as another tour group transversing up the stairs while explanation and ceremony going on. Not worth the cost.
Review provided by Viator
Andrew_w
Apr 7, 2024
Disappointing - Far too many people on this experience. The English spoken was of very poor quality. The whole experience was rushed and superficial.
Review provided by Viator
Sarah_w
Mar 31, 2024
Not great - We were pretty excited about this, as a tea ceremony was recommended by a friend who had visited Kyoto before. The kimonos were lovely, and the staff were nice. Unfortunately, the group size was much too large to allow a good experience. We were bumping into each other throughout the tour of the house. The actual tea ceremony had us crowded into a room that was SO HOT. We could t really see the lady doing the tea ceremony and everyone was sweating and looked really uncomfortable. Despite this, they seemed to be trying to fill the time by letting people ask questions and talking about flowers. We ended up leaving about 20 mins early because we couldn’t sit in the hot crowded room any longer.
Review provided by Viator
Faisal_a
Apr 14, 2024
Not worth it, only if private - Too many people, tea ceremony was not quite, couldn't see a thing or hear. Lasted only 5mns with no proper expalnation. Tea was served cold, the sweet provided wasnt good and dry, not fresh.
Only wearing the kimono was great in the beginning, after that the experience wained. I would recommend doing a private tea ceremony but not at this place.
Review provided by Viator
Kimberley_p
Apr 13, 2024
Not worth it - This was very expensive for one hour, three mouthfuls of tea, wear a kimono for photos and a five minute walk around a house
Review provided by Viator
Jay_v
Apr 12, 2024
Complete farce and tourist trap - I should have read the previous reviews before booking - it was a complete tourist trap and the tea ceremony was a complete farce. Everything written in previous reviews turned out accurate -50 people crammed into a small space, terrible narration and all in all a commercial show versus a tea ceremony conducted in a serene space. Viator should cancel this experience.
Review provided by Viator
Denise_k
Apr 9, 2024
Do not go. Waste of money - It was chaos. 49 plus people and no one to organize. We were squeezed into kimonos and then we were left. When I asked about a tea ceremony they sent us upstairs into the middle of a group with a ceremony in progress. We were ignored. After the first group was done the room filled 30+ people We were given a very brief description of the making of the tea. No history or background. Then we were served tea made in a back room as there were too many of us. The sweet was out of a package- low quality. I have been to a proper tea ceremony- this was horrible
Review provided by Viator