Nishiki Orizuruya — Local services in Kyoto

A Truly Unforgettable Kyoto Experience – Tea Ceremony with Kimono Dressing

If you’re visiting Kyoto and looking for a cultural experience that feels both intimate and authentic, I can’t recommend this tea ceremony enough. From the moment we arrived, the hospitality was warm and graceful. The experience began with the ladies helping us dress in traditional kimono – a beautiful process in itself. The attention to detail was incredible. They gently and skillfully styled our hair and made sure every layer of the kimono was just right. Even the men in our group were dressed in traditional attire, which made the whole group feel like we had stepped back in time.

Wearing the kimono made the tea ceremony feel even more special. The matcha preparation was serene and meditative, led by a kind and knowledgeable tea master who explained every movement and its meaning. We learned not just how to drink the tea, but how to appreciate the ritual behind it.

The setting was peaceful and traditional, with beautiful tatami mats and a calming atmosphere. We had the chance to try making matcha ourselves, which was a fun and rewarding part of the experience.

This ceremony wasn’t just about tea – it was a journey into Japanese culture, mindfulness, and elegance. We left not only with great photos but with a deep sense of gratitude for the care and grace of everyone who hosted us. Truly a highlight of our...

I booked a tea ceremony and a calligraphy lesson, but had to reschedule due to catching a flu. The staff were flexible with my rescheduling and I was able to attend the ceremony and lesson after recovery. Nishiki Orizuruya is located very conveniently at the Nishiki Market, and upon arriving there I was given a choice to wait half an hour for a session with fewer people and even managed to get a private calligraphy lesson. Everyone at the Nishiki Orizuruya was super friendly and hospitable! They took a lot of pictures for me and I had a great experience with them. I felt very special getting dressed and my hair done before the tea ceremony. I have a long bob but that wasn't a problem, they still made me a beautiful hairdo despite my short and thin scandinavian hair. I had tried to convince my boyfriend to attend too, but he couldn't make it and later he was so sad when I showed him all the photos and talked about the whole experience. Make sure to take your partner with you, otherwise they will...

From the moment you walk in, the experience starts. Everyone is so friendly and happy to have you there. The attention to detail is greatly appreciated.

We arrived early and were taken to the dressing rooms. They had a wide variety of kimono patterns and the process of getting dressed was really cool to experience. Once you’ve gotten dressed, you get your hair done (for women).

After that came the tea ceremony. Rina did an amazing job explaining what the tea ceremony consisted of and why things were done a certain way. It was truly an art to see. The matcha tea was divine as was the Japanese sweet that came with it. Staff offered to take photos in several spots around the tea house. Afterwards you can go around town with your kimono as long as you bring it back by 6pm.

When we returned everyone was very happy to see us and took the time to get to know us and make sure we had a splendid time. I would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Kyoto. It is a must! We can’t wait...