Garden Teahouse: General Information

Garden Teahouse’s striking surroundings make ours one of the most beautiful locations to experience tea ceremony in Kyoto. The traditional Japanese house, which sits amongst stunning gardens, is now over 100 years old.

In 2016 we were asked by the city to act as caretakers for the property, promoting Japanese culture to a wider audience as a means to preserve the building.

We are located a minute’s walk from the main gate of Ryoan-ji, one of Kyoto’s most popular destinations. The zen temple is famed for its rock garden, possibly the most renowned of its kind in the world.

Accessibility / Mobility

  • Chairs and tables are available upon request.

  • Garden Teahouse is wheelchair accessible. Like most Japanese houses, the building is slightly raised from the ground, so we have an attachable wheelchair ramp. We also have smaller ramps to navigate the shallow steps from the road to the main gate.

  • Please get in touch to discuss your needs.

Dietary Requirements

  • All our sweets are vegan, gluten free and nut free.

  • If you have any allergy concerns please let us know in the ‘Notes’ section on the checkout page.

General Notes / Languages

  • The price of the experience includes the tea ceremony performance, a traditional tea sweet, and the opportunity to make your own bowl of matcha.

  • It is ok take photos throughout the experience.

  • Permission to take short videos must be made in advance, and permission is at the discretion of the tea instructor (who may wish to maintain their privacy).

  • Tea ceremonies at Camellia are performed in English.

  • If you have any language requests or concerns, do not hesitate to get in touch.If you booking is for more than 10 people please get in touch so that we can help make the arrangements.

Notes for Guides at Garden Teahouse

  • Guides accompanying guests, whether or not translating for the guests, are free to join the tea ceremony free of charge.

  • If the guests would prefer to have privacy, or if the guides would prefer not to join guests then we can provide refreshments in the sofa room while they wait.

  • お客様が同席を希望される場合、ガイドさんは無料にて茶道体験にご参加いただけます。

  • 別室待機を希望される場合は、待合室にてお抹茶とお菓子をご提供いたします

Opening Hours & Guest Numbers

  • Camellia Garden hosts private tea ceremonies only.

  • Each session is 50 minutes.

  • From March to November, 8 regular sessions run each day:

10am ・ 11am ・ 12pm ・ 1pm・ 2pm ・ 3pm ・ 4pm・ 5pm

  • For the winter season only the 11am ・ 1pm ・ 3pm ・ 5pm sessions run each day.

  • From March to November the teahouse opens on Sundays. During winter we have Sunday closing. We are also closed on New Year’s Day.

  • Our teahouse can accommodate up to 10 people comfortably with tables and chairs for all guests. We do have enough space for up to 20 guests, but please note we will use a mixture of chairs and cushions for larger groups.

    If you booking is for more than 10 people please get in touch so that we can help make the arrangements.

Price Guide

  • 15,000 yen per person for 2 or more people (off peak) / 18,000 yen per person (March, April, October, November and the New Year period).

  • Please note that a private tea ceremony for 1 person is 25,000 yen (off peak) / 30,000 yen (March, April, October, November and the New Year period).

  • Tea ceremonies are for 4 years old and up.

  • All prices include tax.

  • Kimono dressing is not available at Garden Teahouse.

Guest Code of Conduct

At the heart of tea ceremony is a message about the importance of respect and equality, qualities that we are committed to here at Camellia.

In order to provide a safe, comfortable, inclusive and enjoyable experience, we ask that guests conduct themselves in a kind and respectful manner to one another and to our staff, in accordance with this code of conduct. We thank you for your understanding.

Unacceptable behavior includes (but is not limited to):

  • Harassment, including unwelcome or hostile behavior, physical contact or sexual attention

  • Verbal harassment, such as unwelcome comments, jokes, slurs, or negative stereotyping

  • Threatening or intimidating acts (directed at staff or other guests)

  • Any form of discrimination

  • Foul or abusive language, or obscene gestures

  • Physical abuse, fighting or making threatening remarks or gestures

  • Any actions which interfere with the experience of other guests or leads to disruption of the event (i.e. misuse of personal items, throwing of objects, trespassing in restricted areas)

  • Any behaviors not mentioned which make our staff feel uncomfortable

Violation of this Code of Conduct may result in removal from, or refusal of admission to, event premises, without a refund or other compensation.