What to Expect at the Tea Ceremony Ju An in Kyoto

Taking a tea ceremony is one of the most popular things you can do in Kyoto, but what actually happens in one? We took the Ju-An tea ceremony at Jotokuji Temple to find out…

(ad gifted) Whisking good matcha is tough! Good matcha has a nice foamy froth on the top; mine is more of an insipid collection of bubbles, but with a few extra technique instructions from our tea master, my tea is deemed good enough to pass the test, and I can now take a sip of the emerald green drink.

It might surprise you that I’m making my own tea in a tea ceremony – surely, the point of one is that you’re served your cup. But this is the nice thing about the Ju An tea ceremony at Jotokuji Temple in Kyoto – it’s more than just being served a cuppa.

Article by Helen Foster. Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. See our Affiliate Disclosure.

If you’re just looking for a quick read, the above might be enough to convince you this is a good way to spend an hour of your holiday – but, if you want more details or have some questions, then you’re going to want to read on…

Where Does Ju An Tea Ceremony Take Place?

When the team at ByFood suggested Ju An as my tea ceremony, I was thrilled as it’s held at Jotokuji Temple, about 100 meters from my hotel, the Sotetsu Fresa, in the Kurasuma Gojo area of Kyoto.

If you don’t happen to be staying opposite, you might wonder how easily it’ll fit into your plans. Easily is the answer.

Jotokuji temple is about a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station and about a 20-minute walk from Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, but with Kawaramachi Gojo bus stop a few steps away, that’s served by the very useful 205 bus (among others) and two nearby metro stations, it’s easy to access from everywhere else in Kyoto.

Note: There are two temples called Jotokuji in this area. You want the one closest to the Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto Kiyomizu Gojo hotel. To eliminate confusion, search for Ju An Tea Ceremony, as that will get you to the right place.

The Experience Starts Outside…

Jotokuji temple itself is pretty interesting, and your tea ceremony experience starts with a short tour of the temple itself.

I’m trying not to spill too many specific details about the experience, but I found it interesting that it was built by a female architect who is also enshrined in the main hall.

You’ll also learn the happy story behind why so many couples planning children visit the shrine – and, while they don’t point these out on the tour, have a look at the cute prayer plaques (ema) hanging up around the shrine, the design of which relates to the couple in the story.

Because this tea ceremony is on temple grounds, and you’re entering a temple building, you’ll also learn about and take part in the purification ritual of hand washing that you’ll see many Japanese people do when they enter a shrine or temple – which, as a bonus means you’ll know how to do it correctly at the (many) other shrines or temples you might visit in Kyoto!

Once the tour is concluded, you’ll head inside for the Tea Ceremony – at this point, do note that you’re going to be removing your shoes, so make sure you’re wearing clean socks!

If you don’t have socks, they will provide some for you.

How to Sit in the Ceremony

There are two tea rooms at Ju-An. And they’re beautifully simple with tatami mat floors and printed screens. They also overlook the temple grounds.

As with a traditional tea ceremony, you are asked to sit on the floor – but chairs are available if you want one.

Don’t be embarrassed to ask for one.

The main thing your hosts want is for you to be comfortable and enjoy the ceremony. Monks used tea ceremonies to aid their meditation, and the idea is that you too relax during one, so no one wants you in pain and stressed.

If you’re okay on the floor but worry that you can’t sit in the traditional Japanese position of knees bent and your bottom on your heels, don’t fret – in my group, people were kneeling, sitting cross-legged, or sitting with legs to the side.

Chances are, you will start to fidget at some point. Don’t worry about that either; no one is going to be offended if you shift position!

I noticed in my ceremony everyone was trying to stay very still until one person shifted noticeably – and then everyone else did!

Top Tip

If you do decide to sit in the traditional kneeling position used by the tea ceremony hosts, the key to comfort is to rest your bottom cheeks on your heels and try and distribute the weight onto your heels rather than sit on your leg – this makes it more comfortable and should allow you to sit for longer without your legs going to sleep. It all depends on how flexible your thighs are, though!!

What Happens in the Tea Ceremony?

The Ju An Tea Ceremony is divided into four parts – the first is the tour, and the other three involve learning about and participating in ‘the way of tea’.

Part One: The Explanation

The first part of your visit is an explanation of the tea ceremony – your host Masumi-san (that’s her on the right) will explain how it developed, what its purpose was, and the meaning of the different implements used to serve and create the tea.

You’ll learn all this while trying the traditional Japanese tea ceremony sweets called wagashi.

A full tea ceremony can last 3-4 hours, so a meal is normally served; eating wagashi keeps with the tradition of eating something with the tea without needing the time for a full meal.

Part Two: The Tea Ceremony

After you better understand the tea ceremony, the official ceremony begins, and you’ll watch your tea master make the perfect cup of matcha for a tea ceremony.

Just as every item used within the ceremony is chosen for a reason, every movement in it is deliberate and has a meaning that is explained to you.

You’ll quickly understand why it can take ten years of training to become a tea master!

But despite this, in part three, you get to have a go!

Part Three: Your Turn!

The last part of your session sees you making your own cup of matcha tea in the style of a tea ceremony master.

You’ll try everything you’ve just seen and had explained to you to appreciate yourself, how delicate and precise the serving and preparation process is – and quite how hard it can be to make a good cup of matcha!

I’ve been to a tea ceremony before, but this was the first time I properly understood how much meaning there was for everything involved within it, even the way the ladle is placed back on the water pot is done that way for a reason – and it made it far more engaging and interesting than merely being served the tea with no real idea of what was going on.

Where to Book The Ju An Tea Ceremony

If that sounds like your way to spend an afternoon, you now book the Tea Ceremony Ju an via Get Your Guide

When I went, I was hosted by the company ByFood. ByFood offers heaps of food and drink-orientated experiences in Kyoto and all over Japan – and they can also make restaurant reservations for some popular places. They also offer other tea ceremonies if the time or location of this one doesn’t work for you. Visit their website here.

Frequently Asked Questions

So, that’s my review of the Jotokuji Ju An Tea Ceremony – but if you’ve got some more questions about it, you’ll find them here… or if you don’t, head over to our Facebook group and ask them there.

Is a Tea Ceremony Worth Attending?

If you’re visiting Kyoto for the traditional culture and history, taking part in a tea ceremony can add to that – especially in an experience like this where you learn about the significance of what you’re seeing and doing.

Kyoto is one of the most traditional areas of Japan and one of the areas where the idea of the tea ceremony developed, so if you’re going to try a tea ceremony anywhere on your Japan trip, Kyoto is the perfect place.

What Do Other People Think of It?

Checking a few facts when I wrote this review took me to the Trip Advisor reviews of the Jotokugi Tea Ceremony, and I wasn’t surprised to see that they have 671 excellent reviews (out of 689 total).

My favorite comment was from Amber: ‘Kept the 12-year-old and the 67-year-old enthralled.’

A meditative hour-long experience that can keep the attention of a 12-year-old must be good!

How Much Does it Cost?

It’s very wallet-friendly, and I thought it was a bargain considering how much I learned and how pretty the surroundings were.

It costs 3300 yen per adult. Other tea ceremonies can cost three times that – or more.

Is The Tea Ceremony in English?

Yes. The ceremony leader Masumi-san, studied English at university and is an authorized English tour guide, so you’ll have no problems understanding things.

What Should I Wear?

You can turn up in your normal sightseeing gear – the only thing to consider is that you will be sitting on the floor, so wear something loose, and for skirts, go below the knee so you can sit comfortably without flashing the room.

Also, because you are in a temple, it’s respectful to avoid showing too much skin/cleavage.

And, don’t forget the clean socks!

Can You Wear Kimono?

Yes. The temple recommends Yumeyakata, a nearby kimono hire shop you can visit before your ceremony. You’ll be dressed in a kimono to attend the tea ceremony and can then wear it around Kyoto for the rest of the day.

Check out our guide to how to wear kimono like a local if you’re going to give this a try – it gives some great photo spots to visit.

Can I Drink Something Other Than Tea?

Unfortunately not, as the way the tea is made is an intricate part of the ceremony.

However, I have to reveal a secret now – I like green tea but usually feel slightly sick after drinking it. However, I didn’t have this issue with the matcha I tried at the Ju-An Tea Ceremony.

Is It Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans

There are no dairy products in the tea, but as I wrote this, I was wondering about the sweets you are served as they have a jelly texture. It seems I needn’t worry.

Wagashi – the name for the sweets served as part of a tea ceremony – are made with agar agar, not gelatin, so they are vegan-friendly.

Can Children Attend?

They can, but remember that one point of the tea ceremony is to help find peace and stillness in a busy world, and if young children are going to get bored and restless, it might not be the best choice for them.

If they will enjoy it, though, children aged 6-14 pay half the adult price, and those under six are free.

What Time of Day is the Ceremony?

When I went, they offered a lot of sittings, but as I check and update this post in March 2025, it looks like there is now only one session a day at 12.30 pm – that’s actually a great time to do one as it’s when many other sites in the city are at their most crowded. In my guide to beating the crowds in Kyoto I suggest boosting things like tea ceremonies between about 12-3pm.

If you’re wondering how to fit a tea ceremony into your Kyoto schedule, I suggest doing it toward the end of your stay in the city – this allows you to relax into it rather than wondering when you can get on with the next thing. Check out my itinerary for four days in Kyoto to see how I would work it in.

Do Geisha Conduct the Ceremony?

No. A tea ceremony conducted by an actual geisha in Kyoto is very expensive. The Ju An ceremony is conducted by tea masters wearing kimono.

You can book tea ceremonies in Kyoto conducted by an apprentice geisha called Maiko that cost slightly less than a geisha ceremony – but they don’t offer this at Ju An.

Can You Buy Tea There?

Yes, they sell matcha and equipment like the whisks, but there’s no hard sell as part of the ceremony.

What Else is Nearby?

There are a few other temples nearby – including the interesting Ichihime, which specifically grants the wishes of women.

The tiny dolls you see contain fortune slips. Once you’ve read your fortune, write a wish on the doll and leave it at the shrine for it to come true.

If you want to purchase a fortune doll, come before the tea ceremony, as the shrine facilities close at 5 pm.

You’re also a short walk from Kyoto station and all the sights in this area, and about a 20-minute walk east, you’ll find Higashiyama and many of Kyoto’s most famous sights.

So, there you have it – our review of the Ju An tea ceremony in Kyoto – if you have more questions, just ask them in our Facebook group, and I’ll do my best to answer them.

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