Private Tea ceremony Experience in GENSO-AN House
Genso-an is a traditional Kimono fabric merchant townhouse (Kyomachiya) with a history spanning over 130 years. Located right in the center of Kyoto city, it’s conveniently just a four-minute walk from the Shijo and Karasuma Stations. The residence has been lovingly cared for and maintained by the Hirota family for over a century. Thanks to their meticulous daily cleaning and continuous maintenance and traditional carpentry repair work, this old townhouse remains beautifully preserved today, allowing its rich heritage to endure. About the Hirota Family and the Kimono Fabric Company➡ HIROTA TSUMUGI
The Okuzashiki Washitsu room * the summer arrangement with Sudare shade scrolls and Ajiro floor covers
Hirota Tsumugi has long been renowned as Kyoto’s premier wholesaler of the finest Tsumugi fabrics, and remains the leading supplier of high-end Kimono textiles for authentic Kimono stores across all of Japan.
Experience Kyoto & the Way of Tea in Genso-an
Inside this cultural heritage setting, you can fully relax in the traditional atmosphere, enjoy tea hospitality, and partake in a private Chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony) experience.
We serve carefully selected Uji Matcha, delivered directly from a tea farmer and unavailable on the market, accompanied by traditional Wagashi sweets made by long-standing confectioneries here in Kyoto.
The Chanoyu firsthand experience is comprehensive. It includes not only preparing your own bowl of tea but also learning basic formal etiquette: how to bow, use chopsticks, walk on the tatami mat, and the proper way to eat the sweets. These are all common, formal manners in Japan, and by simply imitating the movements, you will feel a deeper connection to Chanoyu and Japanese traditional culture.
The procedures of Chanoyu are rooted in an ancient Japanese spiritual and aesthetic discipline that requires us to engage all five senses for the ultimate refinement of “hospitality.” This practice embodies a traditional Japanese way of thinking that fosters social relationships, friendships, and communication. We hope you feel this spirit through your experience here at Gensoan, where Chanoyu was once an important part of daily life and a vital way to cultivate good relationships among family, relatives, neighbors, and business partners.
We hope you gain a new appreciation for the charm of Japanese traditional culture during your time in Kyoto.
The view from the Tea Room. The Tea Room is situated in the innermost part of the Gensoan townhouse(The Tea Ceremony will be held in this Tea Room or in our private room on the second floor.). This spot offers a very quiet, secluded traditional space where it is truly difficult to imagine that you are in the middle of the bustling Kyoto city.
The roji is the garden path that leads guests to the authentic Tea Room. Walking through this passage symbolizes a transition from the space of ordinary life to the sacred, contemplative realm of the tea ceremony.
Most of our utensil collections have been passed down through generations, and their arrangement is carefully changed to reflect the current season.
The Jizo statue and stone lantern are prominent features of the garden. Kyoto-style merchant houses, known as Kyomachiya, share a generally consistent architectural structure. However, the unique ornamentation and detailed interior design of each house distinctively reflect the individual taste and personality of its owner.
Savor a tranquil moment while drinking freshly brewed Matcha. We use an exceptional Uji Matcha, specially selected and delivered directly from our dedicated tea producer. Historically, the source of high-quality tea was often a family secret, kept confidential within each household—a tradition that highlights the unique quality of the tea we serve.
Traditional Wagashi sweets are served before the tea, as is customary. These seasonal sweets, carefully selected from long-standing confectioneries here in Kyoto, are designed to soften the bitterness of the matcha and accentuate the pure, vibrant taste of the tea leaf.
Tea ceremony experience summary
・Group Size: 2 ~ 7 people Maximum
・Pricing : Adult Rate: ¥16,000 per person (Ages 12 and over). Child Rate: ¥8,800 per person (Ages 11 and under).
・ Payment : Cash or Credit Card accepted on the day of your visit.
・ Cancellation Policy : 100% Charge for cancellations made on the day of the experience. No Charge for cancellations made by the day before.
・ Reservations : Please send us your reservation request using the link below.
・Inquiries : For any questions or inquiries, please contact us at: kyoto.gensouan@gmail.com
RESERVATION REQUEST
We also offer a combined Ikebana and Tea Ceremony experience, which can be booked directly through the Wabunka website below.
WABUNKA
