The tea ceremony is an interesting experience to do when visiting Japan. This ceremony is often found in Japan, especially the city of Kyoto, an ancient city that was once the capital of Japan for 1,000 years which is still thick with traditions. Many traditional tea houses provide a tea ceremony experience in a beautiful setting and an interesting manner. In this article ITO EN will share 6 interesting places in Japan, coincidentally all of them are in the city of Kyoto, which ITOfriENd can use as a reference to be able to experience this interesting experience firsthand. Let’s have a look!
1. Camellia
Camellia is a very quiet tea house. This place is located in Ninenzaka, precisely between Gion and Kiyomizu Temple. Kiyomizu Temple is a most popular spot for foreign tourists and is one of the top destinations in the Kyoto area. The shrine has beautiful natural scenery and traditional Japanese houses along the road leading to the shrine. Once paddled, an island or two is surpassed, this is a suitable term when we visit there while taking the time to enjoy the tea ceremony. The location is: 349-12 Masuya-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0826, Japan
2. En
ITOfriENd can also learn and enjoy the experience of drinking tea in this place. Even though the place is relatively small, ITOfriENd can still experience the traditional tea ceremony there, either as a group or individually. It is located at: 272 Matsubara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto.
3. Okitsu Club
At the Okitsu Club, ITOfriENd can have an exclusive tea experience in English, so language barriers are not a problem. For ITOfriENd who want to know more about the ins and outs of this ceremony, you can directly ask the staff there. This place is also accompanied by a large garden, a tea room and a comfortable ceremony room. Okitsu Club is located at: Kadokan, 524-1 Mototsuchimikado-cho, Shinmachi, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto
4. Ran Hotei
This Ran Hotei feels like a building in Kyoto hundreds of years ago. A very elegant tea house, 10 minutes from Nijo Palace. At Ran Hotei, ITOfrIENd can enjoy the experience of a tea ceremony with a Canadian tea master, Randy Channell Soei. You can also enjoy beautiful galleries and decorations there. Ran Hotei’s location is at: 64 Kamikawara, Sanjo Omiya, Kyoto
5. Ju-an’s Tea Ceremony Room
If ITOfriENd is in a hurry, Ju-an’s Tea Ceremony Room can be an option for you. Located only 10 minutes from Kyoto station, ITOfriENd can find the ideal tea house. It is located in the historic architectural center of Kyoto city. Here you can enjoy the tea ceremony and practice with the host in English! Note the location: 508 Shiokojicho, Simogyo Ward, Kyoto.
6. Tondaya
This tea house is located in an ancient historical building, traditional Japanese architecture. Formerly used as a place for trading or so-called Machiya (町 家). Tondaya itself was officially registered as a National Culture Heritage in 1999. You can enjoy a tea ceremony while renting a kimono and go around this historic place while learning traditional Japanese arts such as calligraphy and origami. It is located at: Ichijo-agaru Omiya, Kamigyo-ku Kyoto.
Kyoto isn’t the only region to find authentic tea experiences in Japan. If ITOfriEnd searches carefully, you can also find tea ceremony places all over the Sakura country.
