Take part in an authentic tea ceremony at one of the most important schools in the world; plans from ~3.000-4.000 ¥.
The tea ceremony —chado, or "the way of tea"— is one of the pillars of Japanese culture, and Kyoto is the ideal place to experience it in its most authentic form. The Urasenke school, founded in the 16th century, is one of the three great tea-ceremony schools in Japan and the most open to foreign visitors. A guided session includes the explanation of the principles of chado (harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity), the observation of the preparation of matcha by a master, and the tasting of the tea accompanied by a seasonal wagashi. The experience lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. The indicative price ranges between 3.000 and 4.000 ¥ depending on the format (group or private). It is advisable to book in advance, as places are limited. Bring socks, as the ceremony is held on tatami. Cheaper options (from 2.000 ¥) are available at other studios in Kyoto, but the Urasenke offers a historical legitimacy hard to match elsewhere.
