Kyoto Nishiki Orizuruya Tea Ceremony & Calligraphy Experience

Kyoto's elegance begins in a 100-year-old machiya

If you're looking for the most elegant way to experience Kyoto's atmosphere, start your day at Nishiki Orizuruya. Dressed in a kimono in a historic Kyoto machiya (traditional Japanese house) with over 100 years of history, you can experience the basic movements and etiquette of the Japanese tea ceremony with a professional tea master. Traditional Japanese sweets paired with matcha tea are also served, allowing you to experience the seasonal flavors of Kyoto with both your eyes and your mouth.

But it doesn't end there. Learn the fundamentals of calligraphy using a brush and ink, and then create your own commemorative piece by hand-writing your chosen kanji on washi paper. If you're with family or friends, we recommend trying your hand at gold leafing. The process of applying the sparkling gold leaf yourself is surprisingly fun, making for beautiful photos, and the finished product makes a perfect keepsake.

You can experience the tea ceremony alone, or you can combine it with calligraphy, gold leaf, a Nishiki Market tour, and more to create your own unique course, making it easy to customize to your schedule and preferences.

Attractive points of the experience

✅ Enjoy a private traditional experience at Nishiki Orizuruya, a Kyoto machiya with over 100 years of history.

✅ A course to fully experience Kyoto through kimono wearing, and a photogenic restaurant experience

✅ Experience Japanese tea ceremony with a professional tea master

✅ Includes tasting of traditional Japanese sweets paired with matcha

✅ Learn the basics of calligraphy with a brush, ink, and paper + create your own work with your favorite Chinese characters

✅ Gold leaf experience options that are great to enjoy with family and friends

✅ Various options, including Nishiki Market Tour, can be combined to suit your schedule.

Guide to selectable schedules

Tea ceremony experience
Choose your favorite kimono from over 200 designs, and our staff will help you put it on. Ladies also receive a complimentary hair styling service.
After dressing up in a kimono, you'll experience a tea ceremony at a teahouse. Your instructor will teach you how to brew tea and the basic movements of the tea ceremony in English. Afterward, you'll have the chance to make matcha yourself using a chasen (tea brush). This is a special program where you can enjoy homemade matcha and traditional Japanese sweets in a traditional space with over 100 years of history.

Tea Ceremony & Calligraphy Experience
After selecting a kimono, we will help you put it on, and we also provide a free hair styling service for women.
After enjoying an authentic tea ceremony at a teahouse, you'll also experience calligraphy, choosing your favorite Chinese character and writing it with a brush and ink. All lessons are guided by a professional instructor in English, making it easy for even first-timers to participate.
This package allows you to experience the Japanese atmosphere more deeply while tasting traditional sweets and homemade matcha in a space that has continued its tradition for over 100 years.

Nishiki Sightseeing & Tea Ceremony Experience
This package combines a tea ceremony experience with a walking tour of the Nishiki area. First, you'll change into a kimono and participate in an authentic tea ceremony experience. Then, Orizuruya's expert staff will guide you on a walking tour in English.
You can walk around Kyoto's representative attractions, such as Nishiki Market, known as Kyoto's kitchen, historic downtown streets, and charming shrines. You can also experience the charm of Kyoto more vividly through introductions to the history and shops of each area.