Two gates off Sannenzaka
From Kiyomizu-dera, walk about 50 metres down Sannenzaka and go through the large gate on your right. Carry on straight for around 10 metres, then turn through the white gate on your left; Sakaguchian is behind it. If you come by taxi, ask for Kodaiji and get out where Sannenzaka meets Ishin-no-michi. Large bags and luggage are not allowed inside, so drop them at your hotel first.
Timing is strict. One reviewer with a 10 am slot had to check in at 9:50, and the house may cancel a booking when guests are 10 minutes late. On a busy Higashiyama morning the lane fills up quickly, so leave yourself at least a quarter of an hour.
What happens in the 45 minutes
- A guide welcomes you and shows the garden, laid out by the garden designer Ogawa Jihei VII.
- A short introduction to the ideas behind the ceremony.
- The tea master prepares a bowl of matcha in front of the group.
- You drink it with a traditional sweet.
- Under the master's guidance you whisk a second bowl yourself.
- Questions, then a group photo in the garden.
Both bowls use Uji matcha. Not everyone liked it: a one-star review from France says only that the matcha was not good at all. The listing also names a kimono rental and a video among the inclusions, but a guest review says the kimono is not currently offered, so the tables on this site mark the kimono as unclear.
Kneeling, children and access
The ceremony is held in seiza on tatami. A Latvian guest noted extra seating options for people with limited mobility, which the listing itself does not describe; ask the house in advance if kneeling for 45 minutes is a problem. Children aged 7 and under are not admitted. The listing says nothing about steps or wheelchair access.
Who it suits and who it does not
It suits a Higashiyama day where the tea is one stop among several and the garden is part of the appeal. It suits you less if you want a long, unhurried session: a two-star review from the United States calls the lane the most touristy part of town and says questions were cut short before the next group. For more time and explanation, Ju-An at Jotokuji runs for 70 minutes. If kneeling is the problem, Roxcy and Camellia Flower, both on Ninenzaka a few minutes away, seat guests at tables or bring chairs on request.
Chair seating a few minutes away on Ninenzaka
| Photo |
Ceremony |
Seating | Kimono | Min. age | Reviews ↕ |
Price ↕ |
Book |
|
Authentic Kyoto Tea Ceremony at Camellia Flower Teahouse
Camellia Flower Teahouse
|
Tatami, chairs and tables on request |
At extra cost |
6 |
★ 4.8 (305) |
€32
per person
|
Book on Viator
|
|
Ninenzaka Tea Ceremony in an Old Townhouse with Chairs
Roxcy Inc.
|
Table and chairs |
At extra cost |
6 |
★ 4.8 (258) |
€31
per person
|
Book on GetYourGuide
|
The prices shown here are refreshed from GetYourGuide and Viator and may still change at checkout, for example when you add a kimono or a private slot.
