Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono worth booking?
Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono is a 0.5-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $2100 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (6)
- Duration
- 0.5 hours
- From
- $2100 per person
Join us as we explore a traditional wooden machiya (traditional Japanese townhouse)! Your guide will lead the way. Machiya have many unique features, such as narrow corridors and hidden staircases. These strategically co
What you get
- Snacks
- Tea and coffee
- On-board WiFi
- Time to wear a kimono and take photos (you can choose one of five kimono patterns)
- Building tour guide who speaks basic English and has good local knowledge.
- On-board restrooms
About this experience
Join us as we explore a traditional wooden machiya (traditional Japanese townhouse)! Your guide will lead the way. Machiya have many unique features, such as narrow corridors and hidden staircases. These strategically constructed homes are a Japanese architectural technique that makes limited space feel spacious. It's rare to find a house with its interior structure preserved intact, and this 160-year-old house offers a unique experience. The itinerary is as follows: 1. Your exploration of the machiya begins at the front desk. Your guide will explain the architecture while escorting you to your room on the third floor. 2. On the third floor, you can enjoy the following experiences: - Have your photo taken in a kimono. - Choose your favorite antique tea bowl and have matcha prepared for you. 3. Return to the front desk via the long corridors and hidden staircase. At the end of your journey, the guardian spirit of the building, a white snake, will see you off.
What's included
Included
- Snacks
- Tea and coffee
- On-board WiFi
- Time to wear a kimono and take photos (you can choose one of five kimono patterns)
- Building tour guide who speaks basic English and has good local knowledge.
- On-board restrooms
Not included
- A formal tea ceremony
- An opportunity for guests to make matcha
- You cannot take home any equipment used, such as kimonos or tea bowls.
What you'll see and do
Visitors can tour the 160-year-old teahouse architecture. Visitors will listen to explanations and walk around the building while viewing the hidden staircase and manual elevators in the sliding doors, which are characteristic of teahouse architecture. Visitors can also experience a photo shoot in uchikake (special kimono) or samurai-style kimono in a room on the third floor overlooking the streets of Miyagawa-cho. Matcha (powdered green tea) and sweets will be provided, so you can also experience drinking matcha in the tatami room.
40 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
The house with Jpanese red lantaern. If you are 30min late,your reservation will be cancelled.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The house with Jpanese red lantaern. If you are 30min late,your reservation will be cancelled.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- ja, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- 古のお茶屋建物見学
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
6 verified traveler reviews for Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A must do in Kyoto!
Possibly the best experience we booked in Japan. The owner took us through the tea ceremony. We wore kimonos and he made matcha for us. We used the Japanese tea bowls and trays. Afterwards, we took a tour of the house which had historical meaning and hidden parts. The tea master was so kind and friendly. We loved the hospitality and the experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your time with us and appreciated the hospitality, the kimono experience, and exploring our historic house. We actually offer a casual matcha experience, not a formal tea ceremony, but we're so happy that you enjoyed learning about Japanese culture through it. It was a pleasure to meet you, and we hope to welcome you back again someday!
via Viator
Wonderful
My experience at Sawai was wonderful. I was dressed in a kimono and toured the historic buildings. Thank you for this invaluable experience.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for joining our building tour.We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the kimono and traditional Japanese house.Plese feel free to visit us again whenever you come back to Kyoto.We sincerely look forward to welcoming you again.
via Viator
I really enjoyed this...
I really enjoyed this tour! Walking inside such an old Japanese house was like stepping back in time. The wooden floors, the sliding doors, and the hidden spaces made me imagine how people lived long ago. I especially liked learning about the small details of the house, like how it was designed for safety and for daily life. Drinking matcha in that atmosphere felt very special, and trying on the kimono was a lot of fun too. It was a perfect mix of history and culture!
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for joining our building tour and for sharing such a lovely review. I am truly delighted to hear that walking through the old wooden floors, sliding doors, and hidden spaces gave you a sense of how people lived long ago. It is also a great honor to know that you enjoyed the matcha in our traditional atmosphere and had fun trying on the utikake. We always hope that our guests can experience the history and culture of Japan in a warm and memorable way. We sincerely appreciate your kind words, and we would be very happy to welcome you again whenever you visit Kyoto.
via Viator
A valuable experience
We visited a tea house building on a beautiful street. It was a very valuable experience to take a photo wearing Uchikake. It's a 160-year-old building, so it was quaint. The landlady was also kind and the hospitality spirit was wonderful.
Response from the operator: このたびは建物見学ツアーにご参加いただき、また心温まるお言葉をお寄せいただきまして、誠にありがとうございます。 お茶屋建築の趣ある建物をご覧いただき、160年の時を感じていただけたこと、大変うれしく思います。 また、打掛を羽織っての撮影をお楽しみいただけたとのこと、とても光栄でございます。思い出に残るひとときとなりましたら幸いです。 さらにおもてなしについてまで温かいお言葉をいただき、心より感謝申し上げます。 京都にお越しの際には、ぜひまたお立ち寄りくださいませ。再びお目にかかれますことを楽しみにしております。
via Viator (translated)
Best experience.
I was shown a house on a very beautiful street. The maze-like house was very interesting. I was also very happy to be able to take photos wearing uchikake.
Response from the operator: このたびはツアーにご参加いただき、そして温かいレビューまでお寄せくださり、本当にありがとうございます。 通りの雰囲気や、迷路のような建物を楽しんでいただけたと伺い、とても嬉しく思います。 打ち掛けを羽織っての撮影も喜んでいただけたとのこと、私にとっても励みになるお言葉です。 また京都にお越しの際には、ぜひお気軽にお立ち寄りくださいませ。お会いできますことを心より楽しみにしております。
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 6+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $2100 to $5000
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono cost?
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Prices start at $2100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Kyoto usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono take?
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Plan for about 0.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Kyoto is not rushed.
Is Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Kyoto, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 6. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 0.5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Kyoto can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Kyoto and add a light layer if any part of the 0.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Gion 160y.o. Building Tour with Matcha & kimono start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Kyoto within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Kyoto?
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On Outty we rank every Kyoto experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kyoto : Gion Make Your Own Chopsticks with Engraving Option, Award-Winning Authentic Ramen Making Experience in Kyoto, Hidden Kyoto E-Biking tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Kyoto?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Kyoto?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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