Best Matcha Experiences in Kyoto — 10 Picks

1.Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Monkeys, Matcha & Temple Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $53Our pick

Review of Kyoto’s Arashiyama tour, covering Tenryu-ji, bamboo, matcha, Togetsukyo Bridge, and Monkey Park for $53.06.

“Amy & Daniel were great providing lots of information and keeping us all on track. The temple and grove were fascinating and the guides very knowledgeable about it. The monkeys were cute as there were babies. It’s a bit of a hike up to them but the view was definitely worth it. Great experience.”

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2.Tea Ceremony Meditation – Make Matcha with Tea Master

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 406 reviews · 45 min · from $45

Make matcha in a 100-year-old Kyoto townhouse with an English-speaking tea master, traditional sweets, and a small, relaxed group.

“Great experience : the guide gives to us very precise explanation. She is very cheerfull and nice I do recommend this lovely place”

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3.Kimono Tea Ceremony with Matcha and Sweet

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 249 reviews · 1h 30m · from $66

Dress in a Kyoto kimono, learn tea ceremony etiquette, prepare matcha, and enjoy seasonal wagashi with English guidance.

“Great experience. Dressing up was a fun part. Host was lovely and very knowledgeable”

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4.Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Matcha, Monkeys & secret spots

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 219 reviews · from $89

Explore Arashiyama beyond its bamboo grove with temples, a private garden, matcha, shopping, bridge views, and monkeys.

“It was a great tour. The secret garden was amazing and the dragon pond took our breath away. A very long walk uphill to the monkeys but was worth it.”

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5.Kyoto Matcha Green Tea Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 28 reviews · 3 hours · from $173

Explore Uji’s matcha culture, temples, tea shops, local foods, and hands-on tasting on this small-group Kyoto tour.

“Beautiful and informative tour in the beautiful town of Uji with great and knowledgeable tour guides. We visited a shrine and temple learning the history and significance of the landmarks, ground tea leaves to make matcha and made our own. We ate tasty matcha soba nodules and delicious matcha ice cream. Highly recommended tour.”

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6.Traditional Tea Ceremony with Matcha & Sweets in Gion

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 1 hour - 150 minutes · from $22Best value

Learn Kyoto’s matcha traditions in Gion with a tea master, traditional sweets, chair seating, and hands-on tea making for $22.

“Our host was extremely approachable, hospitable, knowledgeable and passionate about what she does.”

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7.Matcha Grinding Experience and Walking Tour in Uji Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $130

Review of Uji’s four-hour matcha tour, with Byodo-in, Uji Shrine, stone-milled tea, snacks, pricing, timing, and booking advice.

“We had a great experience with Vincent! The tour ended up being a private tour which allowed us to go with the flow a bit more. He was great in showing us several temples and shrines, and talked us through the matcha making experience. We would definitely recommend it!”

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8.Kyoto Hidden Riverside Zen Mediation and Uji Matcha Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $105

Practice riverside zazen in Kyoto, then enjoy Uji matcha and wagashi with an English-speaking guide in a small group.

“If you are thinking about doing this experience while in Kyoto, take this review as your sign that you should register right now. This has been the highlight of our trip, amongst some very notable experiences. Highly recommend!!!”

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9.Nighttime Zen Meditation and Matcha Tea Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 1h 30m · from $206

Spend 90 quiet minutes at Kyoto’s Keishunin Temple with illuminated gardens, zazen meditation, matcha, sweets, and a private guide.

“One of the best activities that I did on this trip , worth it every penny!”

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10.Whisk Your Own Matcha: A Zen Matcha Experience at Temple

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 7 reviews · 45 min · from $32

Whisk matcha in a Kyoto temple, learn tea ceremony customs, enjoy a traditional sweet, and get practical advice on meeting points and value.

“Guide never showed up and owner of locale informed us the guide was out of the country and no longer offered this service.”

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