View All Photos
  • Photos
  • Summary
  • Highlights
  • Meeting Point
  • Reviews
  • Policy

Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Kiyomizu-dera Temple Walking Tour

Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Kiyomizu-dera Temple Walking TourExperience a traditional tea ceremony and walk around one of the World Heritage sites in Japan's old capital

428 people already enjoyed this experience
  • 3 hour tour
  • Small group tour
  • English speaking guide

What makes this tour unique

  • An all-inclusive tour through the ancient towns of Kyoto, with an authentic tea ceremony experience.
  • Gain knowledge on Japanese religious culture such as praying methods at Kiyomizu-dera temple.
  • An exclusive tasting tour where you can sample local produce and products such as pickles and sweets.
Why Akiko Recommends This Tour

Tips and recommendations by our official guides

Hello, everyone! My name is Shin, and I have a passion for travel.
Due to my homestay experience in Australia, I've developed a keen interest in exploring new places and immersing myself in unique experiences each destination offers.

Kyoto holds a special place in my heart. If you're planning a visit to Kyoto, I've crafted this tour to provide you with authentic Kyoto experiences. Together, we'll immerse ourselves in the city's rich cultural and historical atmosphere, exploring traditional shrines, temples, foods, landscapes, and more. While Kiyomizuzaka boasts numerous narrow streets that might seem overwhelming, fear not!

Your local guide will navigate you to the must-visit spots, including traditional Japanese sundry shops, historic teahouses, confectionery stores, and if luck is on our side, you might catch a glimpse of Maiko and Geisha.

During this walking tour, we'll visit the Jishu Shrine nestled within the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. This shrine pays homage to the deity of love and matchmaking. As we explore Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Jishu Shrine, our guide will introduce you to and immerse you in the Japanese rituals of worship.

Of course, a trip to Kyoto wouldn't be complete without experiencing its famed tea ceremony. As the birthplace and spiritual heart of the tea ceremony, Kyoto promises an unparalleled tea-drinking experience. We're eager to share this tranquil moment with you.

Whether it's your maiden visit to Kyoto or you're revisiting this enchanting city, our tour promises new discoveries. For repeat visitors, we'll introduce you to hidden gems and local recommendations.

Throughout our journey, please feel free to ask any questions. We're enthusiastic about sharing our local insights and stories with you.

We eagerly await the opportunity to meet you!
Join us for a memorable experience, akin to spending time with old friends.

image
Akiko

Official guide

What's included
2-3 food samplings (Vegan menu available)
You can choose from our selections
Tea ceremony experience
Drink Matcha (Green Tea) at a traditional Japanese house
Kiyomizu-dera Temple entrance fee
Enjoy the amazing view from the top!
Photos during the tour
You'll get photos taken during the tour by your guide after the tour via email.
3 hours with a local guide
An English-speaking guide

Discover Kyoto's special streets (Kiyomizu-zaka) with their quaint atmosphere, as if you had time-slipped into ancient times

Kiyomizuzaka is the name of an area that is composed of several streets with a traditional feel of Kyoto. There are old teashops, Japanese sweets shops, and traditional Japanese sundried food shops lining the streets as the Maiko and Geisha walk the streets gracefully. Our tour guide will take you to this area and show you around to take in the traditional and unique Kyoto atmosphere. In the area of Kiyomizuzaka, we also take you to the most colorful temple in Kyoto called Yasakakoshindo. This temple has an unique way of worship. Worshippers write their wish on a colorful ball and hang them on the temple. This is what makes the temple so vibrant. Let's enjoy strolling down the picturesque streets!

A variety of local street foods will take you to Kiyomizu-Dera, a beautiful place rich with history

After that, we'll hop into several eateries on the streets and enjoy local snacks and foods! Your guide will recommend foods you must try. We'll then visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺, "Pure Water Temple") is one of the most famous temples in Japan. It was made on the site of Otowa Waterfall about 1,200 years ago, and its name derives from the waterfall's pure water. There, we'll take you to the wooden stage (13 meters above the ground) of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which is one of the best spots to see an amazing view of numerous cherry and maple trees as well as the city of Kyoto in the distance. We'll also visit Otowa Waterfall, which brings you good luck. The water is divided into three separate streams and each stream has a different benefit. You can choose one of them by using a cup attached to a long pole and drink the water to bring good fortune. Let's experience the Japanese way of worshipping together!

Lead yourself into a world of an elegant and peaceful Tea Ceremony

Enjoy traditional-style tea ceremony with Japanese sweets in a sophisticated room surrounded by tea utensils such as a tea whisk made of bamboo and unique tea bowls. Kyoto remains the center of Japanese tea ceremonies offering an opportunity for guests to make powdered green tea on their own. We offer you a chance to learn Japanese words and about the history related to the tea ceremony as well as the steps in making traditional matcha. Don't miss this extravagant opportunity to experience the authenticity of the tea ceremony.

Meeting Point

In front of the statue of Yasaka Shrine

See on google maps
  • A guide will be holding a board saying "MagicalTrip"

Itinerary


  • Meet at the entrance to Yasaka Shrine
  • Walk around Kiyomizuzaka for sight-seeing and eating, etc.
  • Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple
  • Tea Ceremony Experience
  • End of the tour near Kiyomizu dera temple
Remarks
  • Children under 6 years old are not allowed on this tour
  • Please bring some cash with you for additional food, drinks and souvenirs.
  • For the respect of other participants, please make sure to show up on time.
  • It is possible that there will be line-ups for Otowa Waterfall.
  • Out of respect for 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.
  • You are welcome to bring your young children and baby on this tour, but if you would like to leave your children with a sitter, we can refer you to an outside sitter service, please contact us before booking.
Cancel Policy
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the tour starting time.
  • Free date/time rescheduling up to 24 hours before the tour starting time (depending on availability).

Photos from the Recent Tours

image
image
image
image
image
See more
loading reviews
Awarded
image
image
image
loading