Best Kimono Tea Ceremony in Kyoto (Review + Tips)

If you have two things on your bucket list in Kyoto — attending a tea ceremony and renting a kimono to wear — be efficient and do both at the same time.

Where can you do both a tea ceremony and kimono rental in Kyoto? What is it like?

I booked a kimono tea ceremony at one of the only places in Kyoto that offers both at the same place. It was one of my favorite experiences in Kyoto, a must do.

Here’s everything you should know to help you decide if a kimono tea ceremony is right for you, too.

Table of Contents Show

What Is a Kimono Tea Ceremony? Kimono Rental + Tea Ceremony

A kimono tea ceremony is a special kind of tea ceremony where you are dressed in a kimono, a traditional Japanese outfit, before participating in the tea ceremony. (Usually, you can wear the kimono out for the rest of the day, returning it before closure.)

Why wear a kimono during the tea ceremony? Dressing the part adds to the experience, making it feel more authentic and like a complete immersion in traditional Japanese culture.

What does a tea ceremony consist of? You’ll be seated on tatami mats in a traditional wooden townhouse, called a machiya, as the host teaches you about the history and meaning of tea ceremonies before showing you how to make matcha tea.

a sign that says "Kimono rental and tea ceremony experience" with an arrow pointing to a door — Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony

Recommended Kimono Tea Ceremony

I did a lot of research online and ultimately decided on Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony in Gion Kiyomizu.

You can choose to do just the tea ceremony in your regular clothes (no kimono rental) or you can choose to do the kimono rental beforehand. I highly recommend including the kimono rental to enhance your experience.

The best part is that you’re able to walk out in your kimono after the tea ceremony, to wander the streets of Kyoto. You just have to return before they close for the day.

Why go with them?

Only place in Kyoto to combine kimono rental with a tea ceremony (so their website claims).
No extra charge to wear your kimono out for the day.
Most of the staff are bilingual, speaking Japanese and English (no language barrier).
Beautiful Japanese gardens on the property (perfect for taking photos in your kimono).
Convenient location in Kyoto, near Gion and traditional streets and temples (where you can take even more photos).

Quick Facts about Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony

Gion Kiyomizu Location: 100, Rokurocho, Matsubara-dori Yamatooji Higashi iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (when booking, you’ll select a specific time to arrive — highly recommend a morning slot so you’ll have more time in your kimono)
Cost: 7000-8400 yen for kimono tea ceremony (per person, price fluctuates based on demand)
How to Book Your Tea Ceremony: It’s highly recommended to book your spot online, well in advance as they do sell out.
How to Learn More: Visit the official website.

About the Kimono Rental Process

At Maikoya’s Gion Kiyomizu location, the tea ceremony is held in a separate building. So you’ll walk a few townhouses down the street to where you will be dressed in your kimono. (And then you’ll walk back for the tea ceremony afterward.)

No photos are allowed to be taken inside the kimono-rental building, for privacy.

Men are dressed on the first floor, and women are dressed on the second floor.

What can you expect when you arrive at your appointed time?

Step 1: Remove your shoes. You’ll be required to remove your shoes before entering the historical machiya townhouse.

Step 2: Change out of your street clothes. You’ll be escorted to the changing rooms where you will be given a thin robe to wear. You’ll also be given a bag in which to place your street clothes and your belongings. Your bag will be stored for you (with a number you should remember or take a photo of) while you are wearing the kimono. Girls, you’ll be given a small purse, where you can hold your phone, wallet, or other important belongings.

Step 3: Put on tabi socks. You’ll be given tabi socks (which you can keep!). These socks have a place for your big toe and a place for your other four toes (so they’re separated). It’s what you’ll wear in your special sandals.

Step 4: Select your kimono. When you come out of the changing room, in your robe, you’ll go into another room where you can pick out a kimono. They are organized by size, so a staff member will tell you which kimonos you can choose from.

Step 5: Get dressed in your kimono. If you’re wondering how to even put on a kimono, don’t worry, a staff member will help you get dressed. All you really have to do is stand there in your robe. (Keep in mind that there will be a handful of other girls getting ready at the same time, but they have a pretty smooth system, and it all goes so fast.)

Step 6: Have your hair styled. One of the staff members will do your hair in a traditional Japanese style. You’ll even get to pick out a few hair accessories (such as flowers or hairpins). I was so impressed by how quickly they were able to braid and style my hair.

How long does all this take? Expect to spend about 30 minutes dressing in your kimono before heading back for the tea ceremony.

the door of a traditional Japanese house — Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony

the back of a girl's head, where her hair has been braided and wrapped in a bun with three flowers in it. the girl sits in a traditional Japanese room. — Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony

What the Tea Ceremony Is Like

How long is the tea ceremony in Kyoto? The tea ceremony lasts about 30-45 minutes.

What happens in a Japanese tea ceremony? Since this is the first tea ceremony for most of the guests, the ceremony is more like a class, where the host teaches about the history, customs, and meanings of tea ceremonies.

In our ceremony, there were about 8 guests, seated on tatami mats in a semi-circle, facing the host. In front of each of us was a bamboo bowl (with powdered matcha inside) alongside a bamboo whisk and a plate of treats. The host (who spoke English) told us about tea ceremonies and then taught us how to make matcha tea.

What kind of treats are offered? The treats change with the seasons. During autumn, when I went, the treat was yatsuhashi nama, which is a cinnamon-flavored triangular fold of chewy mochi filled with sweet red bean paste. (It’s SO good that we actually bought several boxes of it while in Kyoto.)

Is it religious? The traditional Japanese tea ceremony was introduced by Chinese Buddhist monks, and it has some meanings rooted in zen philosophies. However, it’s not overtly religious and the ultimate meaning of the tea ceremony is simply this: to remind us to be present in the moment and realize that every moment only occurs once.

Our host hit this point home when she asked each of us to introduce ourselves and where we’re from (some were from Europe, the U.S. and even South America). All of us, from different parts of the world, will never be in this same room in Kyoto again, and so the tea ceremony really was a special moment that would only occur once in all our lives.

Is it worth it? Definitely! This was one of my favorite experiences while in Japan, one I definitely think you shouldn’t miss. If you love tea or traditional Japanese culture, you’ll love attending a kimono tea ceremony in Kyoto.

On the Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony website, there is an extensive page detailing the history, etiquette, and details about tea ceremonies, if you’d like to learn even more before your visit.

the tea ceremony leader wearing a kimono sitting in the corner of a traditional Japanese room holding a piece of paper — Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony

girl in a red kimono sitting on knees on a tatami mat reaching for a bowl — Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony

a bowl with green and red leaves painted on it sitting on a tatami map with a bamboo whisk nearby — Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony

matcha powder inside a bowl decorated with red and green leaves next to a plate of traditional japanese desserts — Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony

What It’s Like Wearing a Kimono in Kyoto

One of the biggest draws of the Maikoya Kimono Tea Ceremony is that you’re able to walk out with your kimono and return it later in the day.

Because of that, I highly, highly recommend booking a morning slot, so that you have more time in your kimono.

Once you’re out in the street, what is it like?

Walking in the sandals: As expected, the sandals are a bit cumbersome to walk in, especially if you’re walking a far distance, but it wasn’t as difficult as I imagined. Consider taking your sneakers along with you to switch if you get too uncomfortable.

Eating in your kimono: You don’t want to stain the kimono, so be extra careful about what and how you eat while wearing it. I was too paranoid to eat anything, so I waited until I returned the kimono before having (a very late) lunch.

Reactions while wearing a kimono: Many, many tourists and foreigners wear kimonos in Kyoto, so you will not feel odd or strange for wearing one, too. Honestly, no one batted an eye.

Where to Take Photos in Your Kimono Around Kyoto

First, Where to Avoid Taking Photos

Avoid areas that specifically say “No photos.” There are lots of signs posted in Kyoto neighborhoods that say “No pictures” or have a camera icon with an X across it. I even read a sign that said there were surveillance cameras watching and any tourists caught taking a photo would be found.

Kyoto has become overrun by tourists, so these rules are a way for locals to take back some of their normalcy. Be respectful and obey the signs. Don’t take photos!

Avoid crowded places. In the very touristy areas of Kyoto, you’ll find lots of people in the streets getting in the way of a nice photo. It was too much for me, and I opted to avoid those places altogether. I say the same advice to you.

Which places are too touristy? Avoid places like Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, and the Hōkan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda) as they are super, super crowded. You probably won’t be able to take a good photo there.

a girl in a red kimono with fake flowers in her hair standing in a crowded street with a view of a pagoda in the back — View of Yasaka Pagoda

lots of people standing at edge of a temple in Kyoto taking photos — Kiyomizu-dera

So, Where Do You Take Photos in Kyoto?

Head to the less crowded areas!

We walked around in our kimonos and found some really beautiful temple gardens that were not too crowded.

Kodaiji Temple
Entoku-in Temple
Kenninji Temple

This is not an exhaustive list, of course. It’s only the places I was able to walk to and enjoy while in Kyoto. If anything, just keep wandering! Kyoto is a beautiful place and you’re bound come across enchanting gardens around every corner.

Recommended Photo Spot 1: Kodaiji Temple

Cost: 600 yen per adult
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Japan, 〒605-0825 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 高台寺下河原町５２６

I was so impressed by Kodaiji Temple, and I was surprised it wasn’t more crowded.

The grounds and gardens at Kodaiji Temple are beautiful and spacious (and even include a bamboo forest!).

There is a lot of space to roam and get creative with photos. We took our best photos here.

And there’s not too many people! Win, win.

At Kodaiji Temple, you’ll find:

Great views of Kyoto
Bamboo forest
Beautiful pond
Beautiful traditional buildings
Spacious garden

girl wearing a red kimono with fake flowers in her braided hair standing in front of a pond with red autumnal trees surrounding it — Kodaiji Temple

girl wearing a red kimono with fake flowers in her braided hair standing in front of a view of a temple from far away — Kodaiji Temple

girl wearing a red kimono with fake flowers in her braided hair standing in front of bamboo — Kodaiji Temple

walkway leading to a historical and traditional Japanese building next to a pond — Kodaiji Temple

Recommended Photo Spot 2: Entoku-in Temple

Cost: 500 yen per adult
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Japan, 〒605-0825 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Takadai, 寺下河原町５３０

Entoku-in Temple is small, but it’s pretty. I enjoyed touring this temple, which is right across the street from Kodaiji Temple.

The staff were really friendly and even offered to help take photos of us in our kimonos.

We took a few nice photos here, but it was a little tricky to get good angles. And we also didn’t want to take too many photos so as not to disrupt anyone else’s visit (since it was so small).

However, the experience was lovely, and I do recommend visiting if you’re interested in traditional Japanese architecture and zen gardens.

girl wearing a red kimono with fake flowers in her braided hair standing in front of a religious structure — Entoku-in Temple

girl wearing a red kimono with fake flowers in her braided hair standing by a zen garden at a traditional building — Entoku-in Temple

girl wearing a red kimono with fake flowers in her braided hair standing in a hallway of a traditional Japanese house — Entoku-in Temple

Recommended Photo Spot 3: Kenninji Temple

Cost: 800 yen per adult
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Japan, 〒605-0811 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Komatsucho, ５８４番地

Kenninji Temple is the closest temple to Maikoya’s Gion Kiyomizu location.

Part of its grounds are free to explore, but there’s more to see after paying the entrance fee.

Kenninji offers pretty traditional structures and spacious gardens, and it’s not that crowded.

a wooden temple in Kyoto — Kenninji Temple

Recommended Photo Spot 4: Tea Ceremony Garden and Neighborhood

You don’t have to wander far from Maikoya’s Gion Kiyomizu location to take nice photos in your kimono.

The Maikoya teahouse in Gion has two beautiful Japanese gardens on the property. They also provide props, such as Japanese paper umbrellas and masks.

It’s a good starting point, but the small space does get crowded after a tea ceremony.

So if it’s taking too long to wait your turn for a photo, don’t worry, since, as mentioned, there are even better gardens nearby.

girl wearing a red kimono with fake flowers in her braided hair standing in a Japanese garden — Garden at the Maikoya Teahouse in Gion Kiyomizu

girl wearing a red kimono with fake flowers in her braided hair standing on a walkway lined by bushes and shrubs

Where to Stay in Kyoto

There are a lot of options of where to stay in Kyoto, and in the end I’m glad I chose not to stay in the super touristy areas.

Where I stayed: I stayed at the ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto, which is in a quiet neighborhood, by a major subway station — Nijojo-mae Station — and right across the street from the beautiful Nijo Castle. The hotel is in the process of being renovated, and we were fortunate to be put in one of the newly remodeled rooms (you can request one, too).

Free shuttle service: ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto offers a free shuttle bus service to Kyoto Station. We used it almost every morning for day trips.

This is the most current shuttle bus schedule that matched the one I saw during my visit in November 2024. It may be different today, so call the hotel if the shuttle doesn’t appear. Some of the staff at this hotel also speak English.

Nearby restaurants: During our stay in Kyoto, we did three day trips including the one to Arashiyama, and because of this we often returned late. It was so nice to have a go-to ramen restaurant for dinner and to be staying in such a quiet, safe neighborhood. It’s a fond memory of heading into the warm ramen shop every night, leaving the rain outside, and slurping the best noodles we had in Japan.

Ramen Fukuchian – Nijō-jō Castle: This corner ramen shop is open until 9 p.m. and it is so good. I also tried the famous Ichiran ramen while in Japan, and this ramen shop was way better. For vegetarians, they offer a vegetarian miso ramen!
Colorado Masusan: Just steps away from the hotel is this cute cafe that serves the most delicious egg toast and matcha milk. I am now a huge fan of the thick Japanese toast, and I loved eating here every morning.
7-Eleven: We became obsessed with the smoothie machine at 7-Eleven, and we walked here often, morning and night, to make our daily smoothie.

How to save money: For Americans, I recommend applying for an IHG credit card to receive a sign-up offer that will cover several nights at the ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto hotel. That is what I did, and I was able to cover my entire stay with points.

view from the Ana Crowne Plaza Kyoto hotel which shows the adjacent Nijo Castle lit up at night — View from the Ana Crowne Plaza Kyoto hotel

a bowl of ramen on a table inside a ramen shop in Kyoto — Ramen Fukuchian

What to Pack for Your Trip to Japan

Comfortable and convenient footwear

You’ll likely walk a lot while visiting Japan, so a good pair of walking shoes is a must. However, one additional recommendation is make sure your sneakers are slip-in.

Why wear slip-in sneakers?

Many traditional places in Japan require guests to remove shoes before entering. Shoes with a lot of laces are hard to get off. But slip-ins? A breeze.

Slip-in sneakers — I wore this pair of slip-in sneakers from Skechers my entire trip to Japan, and it was so convenient! I didn’t even have to sit down to take off my shoes, like everyone else did. My shoes just slipped right off. I also felt comfortable in these shoes despite walking 20,000 steps every single day.
Ankle socks — Be sure to wear ankle-covering socks with your shoes so you don’t get blisters with all that walking. I wore these Hanes ankle socks every day of my trip to Japan and didn’t get a single blister.

Favorite travel essentials

I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized.
I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
For Americans, I recommend getting the Capital One Venture X credit card to relax and eat free food in select airport lounges. I’ve had my Capital One Venture X credit card for a few years now, and accessing airport lounges is my absolute favorite perk of the card. Every lounge is different, but most have a buffet available where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content. The annual fee of this card is high, but it evens out with the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles you get (on top of lounge access and free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry)!