
The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 66 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 $82 per person. It scores 78 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 66 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 78 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (66)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $82 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, 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 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 66 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
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
66 verified traveler reviews for The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tea ceremony and lots more!
Very interesting tour! We've got a lot of information beside the whole tea story!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour interesting and enjoyed learning not only about tea, but also about the many other aspects of Japanese culture and history. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope you took home some wonderful memories. We hope to welcome you again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Highly Recommend
The experience was truly amazing. Our guide Kana is wonderful and knowledgeable. She gave us so much content to what we saw and explored. The temples visited were eye opening. Thank you for the great experience.
via Tripadvisor
A wonderful and unique experience
We had such a great time on this tour with Niko! Niko was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and entertaining. We visited beautiful temples and learned much about Zen, Japanese culture, and the philosophy behind wabi-sabi. Creating and working on our own Zen garden was a really memorable experience. Niko’s explanations were fascinating. We also had many lovely and funny conversations along the way. The relaxed and personal atmosphere made the whole experience even more special. Highly recommended for anyone looking to discover a different and authentic side of Kyoto! Thank you Niko !
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed learning about Zen, Japanese culture, and wabi-sabi with Niko. It’s great to know that creating your own Zen garden and sharing lovely conversations made the experience so memorable. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Niko. We hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Japan!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience with a great guide!
We had so much fun on this tour! Our guide was incredible—very knowledgeable, competent, and enthusiastic. Learning about the tea culture and hidden spots was an absolute pleasure. Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a great time on the tour. It’s fantastic to know that you enjoyed learning about Japanese tea culture and discovering some of the hidden spots along the way. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our guide as well — we know they’ll be delighted to hear them! Thank you again for joining us and for your recommendation. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another adventure in Japan!
via 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
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
- $82 to $12,650
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by MagicalTrip Inc., who run 77 experiences we rank across 9 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 74.9 and 8 in the 90+ Club.
See everything MagicalTrip Inc. runsWhy this scores 78
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 $82 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 78 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 66 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 23 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 Ghost Tour: Dark Tales, Urban Legends, Bamboo Forest Night, Kyoto : Chopsticks Making Workshop with Engraving Option in Gion, Kyoto: Gion Hidden Gems & Geisha Culture 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.
What is included in The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk?
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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; and Entrance fees of 2 temples. Not included: Additional Food and Drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk?
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In front of Izumo no Okuni Statue, right outside of Exit 5 of Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan line) Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Kyoto. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about The Way of Tea: Kyoto Crafts, Hidden Temples & Wabi-Sabi Walk?
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Across 66 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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