“This is not a performance. It’s an invitation into everyday Kyoto life.”
Step away from the busy streets and into a world that has remained unchanged for 150 years.
Before the ceremony, your host walks you through the townhouse - its architecture, the stories of the Nishijin merchants who lived here, and the quiet philosophy embedded in every room. Step into the garden and feel the calm that only a place like this can offer.
Seated comfortably at a table, you will watch a live demonstration by a practitioner with 16 years of training. Every movement is explained clearly in English: not just what it is, but why it matters.
Then it’s your turn. Using a rare Misonodana tea shelf, you will whisk your own bowl of matcha using tea that only certified practitioners can obtain - a top-grade matcha unavailable in any shop.
Your matcha is paired with seasonal Japanese sweets, carefully selected from Kyoto’s finest confectioners. Entirely plant-based, delicate, and available only for a limited time each season - they are as much a part of the experience as the tea itself.
Your host shares the simple techniques and small rituals behind the ceremony, so you can bring a little of this calm into your own home, long after you leave Kyoto.
■ About JURAKU
JURAKU is a rare 150-year-old former silk merchant’s townhouse tucked quietly in Kyoto’s Nishijin district. Once the childhood home of renowned art historian Taichiro Kobayashi, the building still preserves its antique furniture, elegant lacquerware, and classic paintings. By visiting us, you directly contribute to the preservation of this historic architecture and Kyoto’s cultural heritage.
A calm, small-group setting with a maximum of 6 guests ensures every visitor receives personal attention.
