My first time in Japan and this was a dream to do, in my group and by my group I mean the people we met there sharing this experience, we all loved it.. saw a few bad reviews that say is too touristy or not authentic but honestly I don’t know what they were expecting, I know this is quick summarized way to enjoy a tea traditional ceremony but price is not expensive and I met nice people also tourist obvi but I personally love that, the staff from the girls getting you into your kimono and the lady explaining the ceremony were all sweet.. it is a busy tourist location but I still loved every moment of it.. to me it was unique and I am so blessed to have experienced it. They have group option, a private ceremony option, and they also have a ceremony where an actual geisha performs everything.. of course if all depends on budget.

KYOTO MAIKOYA provided an incredible experience that immersed us in traditional Japanese culture. Located in the historic Gion district and Kyoto city center, we had the opportunity to partake in a traditional tea ceremony while wearing beautiful kimonos. The combination of the picturesque setting and the cultural immersion made our visit truly unforgettable.

I booked a tea ceremony wearing Kimono session which cost around 6000 yen per person. There are many beautiful Kimonos to choose from. They dress you up and do your hair. The lady has a great taste and helped me choose the kimono that suited me. The tea ceremony English session was well-conducted with a professional tea master. It was enjoyable and interesting to know how to do the tea ceremony properly. They have a small garden where you can take pictures of yourself wearing kimono. There are also staff who are willing to take pictures for you. I read a review saying that they allow you to wear the kimono outside and was look forward to it but I think they don’t do it anymore. Overall, it was a very nice experience and we had a blast but I do think it was a tiiiiny bit too expensive.

How amazing! Such a peaceful time learning the Japanese culture and being apart of it. The kimonos were an amazing touch. I felt so beautiful and it was such a great experience with hubs. Pictures were amazing, our host was amazing. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for our time. It really made coming to Kyoto a dream come true. Book it, you won’t regret it.

Participated in the Japanese traditional Tea Ceremony with my wife. All participants were dressed up in kimono, provided by Maikoya. You get to continue wearing them after the session to roam around Kyoto and return before 6pm. The Tea Ceremony was very interesting and informative. Tea Master was very engaging as well. 一期，一会。 1 Lifetime, 1 Meeting. A simple, yet profound meaning in the world of Japanese tea appreciation, where all men/women whom enters the tea room, are considered equal. Staffs are professional, and the location itself, has various gardens, rooms and corridors that are designed just like what you would expect in ancient Japan. Even the window/door holes are made with paper. An experience highly recommended for anyone who visits Japan. To immerse yourself into the oldest culture in Japan.

Tea ceremony was a must do for our honeymoon in Japan. We were pleased to see that there actually are such events carried in English. The experience of wearing a kimono and participating in ceremony was amazing. The host lady and her assistant were great and explained quite a lot about history of such happening. I think it’s a great opportunity for tourists, but I think me and my husband were expecting a little bit more. As we are both tea lovers and big enthusiasts of Japanese culture we know it’s not a real tea ceremony. It was quite rushed and more touristy than it actually should be. Nice for the first experience but next time I’ll look for a real tea ceremony.

Booked a private ceremony for our group of six and it was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip!! We had no idea we were going to be dressed in traditional kimonos with hair styling… and what a treat that was! Dodo was our tea master, and she was absolutely exquisite! She was professional, kind and charming and taught us beautiful profound lessons about the Japanese culture. We loved her! All of the other staff were very courteous and accommodating as well. We can’t wait to come back for another ceremony!

We booked the kimono, tea ceremony experience, and sweets making. It was a lot of fun! It's definitely worth looking into if you're interested in these aspects of Japan. It was very busy, but the ladies made it seem easy dressing everyone and doing their hair. They were all so friendly and lovely. You have the kimonos for longer than the experiences, which was a pleasant surprise, so we had a wander around the nearby streets for some photos before returning to the shop. Even on a rainy day, it was a wonderful experience.

Incredible warm and welcoming hostess who helped me dress and get ready for the tea ceremony while also letting me chose the style and accessories to make the look more personal. I can't stress enough how kind and helpful the hostess was who helped me take incredible photos to help me commemorate the occasion. During the ceremony, she explained very informatively and methodically each step of this beautiful practice while also making the guest feel included. Thank you for letting me be a part of this beautiful moment which I will cherish for the rest of my life. Highly recommend! Please, visit when in Kyoto!

I have a really great time here. It fulfilled my dream to experience such a wonderful tea ceremony in lovely kimono. The staff really friendly, supportive and very professional. Dont worry about language, they all spoke well english. If you are interested in japan culture, I'm strongly recommended.

this place is absolutely amazing. I can not stress it enough. if you have the time, make sure to come here. The staff are beyond professional, kind, and accommodating. this was by far our most amazing anniversary we have had in 6 years. please make sure to visit this unbelievably beautiful establishment. the food here is second to none. We have been traveling all over eating every spot we find, and this is number one. the performance was breathtaking. The amount of dedication and time spent by these women is mind-blowing.

WE LOVED IT!!! Kimonos were beautiful, the staff was amazing, and the ceremony was perfect!!!!! Couldn’t have been better!!!!!! Highly recommend this tea ceremony experience.

A fun and unique experience. Takes about 1.5-2 hours. You get to dress up with kimonos and take pictures with it. The instructor was so nice and had great english we understood everything she said perfectly.

I had such a warm and welcoming time with Chikage-san. This was much more than wearing a kimono and doing a tea ceremony. I have worn Kimono a few times and done Tea Ceremony once before. She personalized the experience by emphasizing the spiritual element of wearing Kimono and performing Tea Ceremony. We focused on the philosophical elements and we found we were very aligned in our beliefs. She is a skilled photographer too. I really enjoyed posing in the tea garden for her. I highly recommend this wonderful experience.

Very endearing traditional Japanese tea house. The service is replete with history, green tea, peaceful meditation and kimonos! Definitely must stop by if you are looking for an awesome experience!

My boyfriend and I booked in for the tea ceremony and kimono rental for the tea ceremony. The kimono’s were stunning and there were two gardens inside the tea house to take pictures. The tea ceremony was informative and discussed the cultural significance of the ceremony. I would highly recommend this for anyone visiting Kyoto!

Everything was perfect from the beginning ( people helping you getting dress) to the ends !!! Thank you for this experience. I can’t express with words how amazing the tea ceremony was. Our host was GREAT! We learned so much about a tea ceremony. She also took pictures of us during the ceremony which was great. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT !!!!!

Came here last December with a group to try on a kimono in winter, and experience chado [tea ceremony] in Kyoto post-pandemic. The staff were accommodating and assisted us in wearing the dress properly, until the preparations prior to the ceremony. It was worth a visit,though there were many visitors when we came. You need to devote 2 hours for the dressing up, the tea ceremony, and the pictorial. Overall, it was a terrific experience.

If you look to book a the ceremony do not hesitate to book here ! The kimono experience makes everything even more special ! They will take time to dress you and do your hair (for woman) before the ceremony. You will then participate in a typical tea ceremony which is very well explained in English. They also let you keep the kimono until end of the day if you wish to walk around Kyoto with it !

The Kimono tea ceremony was a wonderful experience - I was amazed with not only the tea ritual itself but the kind and approachable nature of the staff. The host was incredibly patient and guided the group through the tea process in a way that was easy to follow along and allowed us to appreciate and connect with the historical significance of the ceremony. I had a great chat with a lovely staff member about Australia, she spoke amazing English! We appreciated her kind gesture and I hope she’s able to visit Adelaide one day soon!

Wonderful experience, I highly recommend it. Many options of beautiful kimonos to choose from. Staff is really friendly, they dress you up and do your hair. You can take pictures in the garden and inside the house. The tea ceremony was really interesting and very informative.

Fantastic authentic experience. Our host, Dodo, was welcoming and had a great sense of humour. The history behind the tea ceremony was very interesting. Can’t recommend enough for anyone interested in adding this to their Japan itinerary! 👍🏻

We loved our tea ceremony experience in kimono in Maikoya! Tranquillity, purity, and respect that we learned through this experience was memorable. First the stuff dressed me up in kimono and did my hair quickly but very well. Then we were directed to another house for tea ceremony. Our tea master was Dodo and she’s very experienced, humorous and kind. We really enjoyed a lot! Thank you for this wonderful experience!

Amazing experience! When you first check in they take you across the street to change in to your Kimono and do your hair. Then you head to the tea ceremony which is a once in a life time experience. We took pictures with our host, visited their gardens and wore our kimonos until 6 when we had to return them. Would recommend for all ages!

We had the pleasure of being hosted by Yoko & Dodo for an Afternoon Tea Ceremony. It was a wonderful experience and highly recommend when you’re in Kyoto to get a sense of old traditions. The hosts were lovely and took their time to answer our many questions throughout.

My first experience at the Maikoya Tea Ceremony was truly enchanting. From the moment we arrived, the old Japanese house exuded charm, and the warm welcome we received set the tone for the entire visit. Upon changing into kimonos, we were able to explore and capture timeless photos before the official start of the ceremony. The tatami room where the ceremony took place was incredibly beautiful and peaceful, and our host's explanation of the matcha's history and the significance of the ceremony provided a rich cultural context. Learning the art of making matcha and experiencing the delightful aroma that filled the room added to the immersive atmosphere. After the ceremony, we enjoyed the serene garden and took more photos, rounding out a deeply meaningful and memorable experience. Overall, the Maikoya Tea Ceremony is an exceptional experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in delving into Japanese culture and the profound history behind the tea ceremony. The attention to detail and the immersive nature of the experience left us with a profound appreciation for the art and mindfulness that are integral to this cherished tradition. Whether you're a newcomer to tea ceremonies or seeking to deepen your understanding, Maikoya is a must-visit destination for a captivating glimpse into the authentic beauty of Japanese traditions.

I booked a kimono tea ceremony for myself, my parents, my sister and my partner and it was incredible. The women were taken across the street where we got to choose our kimonos, get our hair done and get wrapped while the guys stayed and picked their own robes. Once we were all ready, they took photos of us and led us into the room where they conducted a traditional tea ceremony. We got to chat with the host and other guests, whisk and drink our own matcha, eat sweets and learnt a lot about historical and modern customs and traditions. We got to go to the garden after and take more photos. The staff were incredibly accommodating, friendly and welcoming. It was a highlight of my whole family’s trip!

We had the most wonderful experience today! Each employee was so kind and thoughtful. We learned about the history of the tea ceremony, what each tool does, and what each step means. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to experience it

Had a lovely time getting dressed up in a kimono for the tea ceremony. There were plenty of kimonos to choose from (for women) and they even did my hair. The tea ceremony itself was great. We were in a group of 8 and the host spoke amazing English which allowed her to explain what was happening and why things are performed this way. The tea ceremony is held in a beautiful old machiya which was lovely. A great beginner tea ceremony experience.

It is obviously for tourists (that's why it exists) and when you arrive it feels busy and touristy. But once you are in the actual tea ceremony it is peaceful, relaxing, genuine, interesting, very nice indeed. I would recommend.

Purchased the combo with the tea ceremony and the samurai and ninja experience too. The tea ceremony was amazing and the highlight of the two parts. Our host for the tea ceremony Tanaka made it a really great experience with the amount of knowledge and the perfect practises for an authentic ceremony. Would highly recommend it for anyone wanted to get a genuine Japanese traditional experience. The samurai and ninja museum was really fun with the added shuriken throwing. Again our tour guide had all the knowledge and added humour which got the people laughing. Both are a must in my eyes :)

Absolutely loved being here and participating and learning about the traditional matcha ceremony. Our hosts were very instructive and knew the subject well. Thank you for the demonstration, and allowing us to participate. When it came to the kimonos, they had a large selection and the ladies who helped us were incredibly knowledgeable and fast. I was dressed in full, hair done and up in under ten minutes. Definitely recommend this experience!

We had the most beautiful experience here. The hosts are wonderful, and it was so much fun choosing your kimono and the ladies dressing you up! They were gentle and accomodating for my pregnant belly and didn’t tie the belt too tight. The tea ceremony was fun and informing. We got plenty of photo opportunities while dressed up too! Absolutely recommend this authentic Japanese experience.

We did the kimono tea ceremony. It is nice that they make your hair and dress you like a geisha and the hostess of the tea ceremony was lovely. A little bit pricey and very touristic.

We booked the kimono tea ceremony and it was really worth it. All the employees are really nice. We were able to take pictures at the end of the tea ceremony.

An experience to remember and to cherish. The staff, and most of all Kitamura-san, were a delight to be looked after by from being dressed in traditional kimono to the explanation behind the tea ceremony itself. The small but intimate traditional setting made for the perfect setting to propose to my fiancee, made ever more joyous and memorable thanks to Kitamura-san. An everlasting thank you to Kitamura-san and all the staff here for such a wonderful experience!

This was a great experience and was very informative. Dodo was our host and she was awesome and very kind. They also have accommodations for those who have trouble sitting on knees for a while. This is a must do when coming to Kyoto!

Loved the whole experience. The tea master was so lovely and patient and gave great detail into the form and history of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. No videoing allowed, which just made it better. We took the private experience, and it was so very special. Thank you, Tea Master

We had a great time during the tea ceremony. Our host was very nice and knowledgeable. It’s amazing to dress up in the traditional attire and be part of a traditional tea ceremony.