The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk
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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
4.9/5
Based on 61 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk worth booking?
The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk is a 3.5-hour experience in Kyoto, Japan, from $93 per person. It scores 77 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 61 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 77 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (61)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $93 per person
Discover the beauty of Japanese tea culture beyond a simple matcha tasting on this immersive cultural walking tour in Kyoto. Visit historic temples, artisan shops, and hidden Zen spots while learning the philosophy, hist
What you get
About this experience
Discover the beauty of Japanese tea culture beyond a simple matcha tasting on this immersive cultural walking tour in Kyoto. Visit historic temples, artisan shops, and hidden Zen spots while learning the philosophy, history, and aesthetics behind the tea ceremony. Begin at Kennin-ji Temple, the birthplace of matcha culture in Japan, where you’ll explore how tea influenced Zen Buddhism and Kyoto’s traditions. Then stop by a specialty shop for tea ceremony tools such as bamboo whisks and raku teacups. Next, step into a quiet hidden Zen temple to experience Kyoto’s peaceful side, with moss gardens, stone paths, and the timeless beauty of Wabi-Sabi aesthetics. The tour concludes with an authentic tea ceremony, enjoying a carefully prepared bowl of matcha guided by the philosophy of ichi-go ichi-e—“one chance, one encounter.” Located near Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine, this experience fits perfectly into your Kyoto sightseeing plans.
What's included
Included
- Tea ceremony experience Drink Matcha (Green Tea) at a traditional Japanese house
- Photos during the tour - You'll get photos taken during the tour.
- 3 hours with a local guide - An English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees of 2 temples
Not included
- Additional Food and Drinks
What you'll see and do
Statue of Izumo no Okuni
In front of the Statue of Izumo-no-Okuni, right outside Exit 5 of Gion Shijo Station (Keihan Line) A guide will be holding a orange signboard saying "Magical Trip Tour"
Pass by without stopping
Gion
The first attraction allows you to learn the history of Japanese tea and how it is made. We will stroll through the historical district of Gion, visiting a famous matcha shop
30 minutes here
Kennin-ji Temple
Kenninji Temple awaits you. Have a look at the historical Temple that has been standing for centuries
30 minutes here
Kyoto Prefecture
Visit some craft shops
30 minutes here
Kyoto Prefecture
Visit a hidden temple & garden Next, discover the beauty of ceramics at a tea bowl shop where the raku teacup takes center stage. Your guide will share how each cup has its own character, history, and meaning. From there, you’ll avoid Kyoto’s crowded tourist trails and step into a peaceful hidden temple where time feels slower. In this quiet space, you’ll connect with simplicity, textures, natural materials, and thoughtful design—letting your senses absorb the stillness, air, and subtle beauty that define Japanese tea philosophy.
30 minutes here
End the tour with a tea-making experience in a real tea house! Enjoy tea ceremony with tea master's instruction! Based on the knowledge of Wabi-Sabi learned through the city walk, you will experience tea ceremony under a tea master at last. Choose a tea bowl according to season and taste, enjoy Japanese sweets, and immerse yourself in the deep culture of matcha green tea and the tea ceremony.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Kyoto Prefecture
End of the tour at tea experience places
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Kyoto
In front of Izumo no Okuni Statue, right outside of Exit 5 of Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan line)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
End the tour after a tea ceremony experience
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- MagicalTrip Inc.
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
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Out of respect for our other guests and to ensure the best tour for everyone, we must start the tour on time. You will not be able to join the tour, get a refund or reschedule if you are late for the tour and miss the group.
- The tour might be cancelled in case of unsuitable weather for safety reasons.
- You do not need to pay for the guide's food and drinks.
- Please note that there might be other participants
- Japan's climate has become more extreme, with summer highs of 40°C (110°F) and winter lows of -5°C (20°F). Please prepare accordingly for the tour.
- Free cancellation and free reschedule is available until 24h prior to the tour starting time.
- Tea ceremony experience can only accommodate those who are and older than 6 years old. You can bring children younger than that but one adult needs to be accompanying them outside the facility during the experience.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 61 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
61 verified traveler reviews for The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A great experience
An unforgettable excursion with an exceptional guide! We had a fantastic excursion today with Hide as our guide, and we couldn't have asked for a better experience. From start to finish, the tour was wonderfully paced and filled with fascinating, in-depth insights into the historical sites and places we visited. Hide's extensive knowledge and engaging storytelling brought the history to life, making it both educational and deeply memorable. If you are looking for an informative, well-organized, and insightful tour, we wholeheartedly recommend booking with Hide
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear that you had an unforgettable experience with Hide. It's great to know that you enjoyed the pace of the tour and appreciated Hide's extensive knowledge and engaging storytelling. We're glad he was able to bring the history and places you visited to life, making your experience both educational and memorable. Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you on another experience in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Wabi-sabi
We had a great guide telling us about history, religion, art and tea ceremony. We walked aroud in Gion and visited many temples. Our guide was Hide. We had a great time.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing
We had an excellent time taking the tour through Kyotos Buddhist temples guided by our wonderful guide Hide! Not only was Hide a wealth of knowledge but was a genuine joy to have guide us through religious sites and tourism districts. Even at his age Hide was sharp, witty, and quite up to date on modern cultures and opinions held by locals and tourists. His presence through the temple was especially welcomed as he supplied us a seemingly exclusive view and walk through the various buildings and garden paths. Overall if one is looking for an English friendly guide that is a long time local and practitioner Hide is your best bet. 10/10 would book again
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you had such an excellent time with Hide. It’s great to know his knowledge, humor, and local insights made your experience so special, and that you enjoyed the unique perspective he shared throughout the temples and gardens. We truly appreciate your kind recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Great tour and friendly guide
Great tour with Hide, he was very informative and really made us feel welcome. I would highly recommend the tour, we got to see parts of the Gion area we may have missed if we were on our own. We also had a wonderful experience at the tea ceremony, our host was so gracious, it finished our tour beautifully.
Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring the Gion area with Hide and that he helped make you feel so welcome. It’s wonderful that the tea ceremony was a highlight and a perfect way to conclude your tour. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Excellent guide on an interesting tour route.
Hide was an excellent guide. We saw a lot in our time with him. He kept things moving, answered all our questions and was a delightful host. Thoroughly recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Hide and were able to see so much during your time together. It’s great to know he helped make the experience smooth, informative, and enjoyable. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with him. Thank you again for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again in Japan!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $93 to $14300
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 21
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 77
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Kyoto.
How much does The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk cost?
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Prices start at $93 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 The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk take?
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Plan for about 3.5 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 The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 77 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 61 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 The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk?
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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 The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk?
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Around 21 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 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk 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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