This special tea ceremony takes place in the most traditional tea room at Nishijin Lifestyle Museum Tondaya, a nationally designated cultural asset with a history spanning more than 140 years.

Within this historic machiya lies a small, authentic tea room known as Rakuju. Its construction was supervised by the 12th-generation tea master of the Musha Koji Senke school, one of the principal schools of Japanese tea ceremony.

This simple room, with its small entrance, embodies the essence of the tea ceremony. Historically, in accordance with the code of Bushidō, guests entering the tea room were required to leave behind their swords and armour. Even individuals of high rank had to bow to pass through the low entrance—an expression of the tea ceremony’s philosophy as a space of peace, humility, and equality.

Enjoy Uji matcha and traditional Japanese sweets as you immerse yourself in the quiet history and serenity of an authentic tea ceremony, while observing a seasoned tea master perform the ritual.

Following the tea ceremony, we look forward to guiding you through Tondaya itself—a 140-year-old machiya designated as a culturally significant landmark by the Kyoto City Government. A treasure trove of historically valuable artefacts and stories, Tondaya offers a deeper understanding of Kyoto’s living heritage, shared by our knowledgeable staff.

Important Notes:

• Our dedicated staff are experienced in a variety of traditional arts, including kimono, tea ceremony, calligraphy, and ikebana. While not all staff members speak English, we will do our best to arrange an interpreter. Please note that a translation device may be used when necessary.

• Please arrive on time for your scheduled experience.

Thank you for taking the time to review the details.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you to Tondaya.