Kyoto: Tea Ceremony in a Historic Machiya

Designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, this historic machiya townhouse is still lived in today. Tondaya, a long-established kimono textile merchant in Kyoto’s Nishijin district, opened the house to the public after it received cultural property designation in 1999.

Everything you see, wear, and experience here reflects the traditions of everyday life that have been carefully passed down through generations at Tondaya. From traditional architecture to cultural practices, the house preserves the authentic lifestyle of Kyoto’s historic merchant families.

To share these traditions with visitors from Japan and around the world, the Nishijin Lifestyle Museum Tondaya offers a variety of hands-on cultural experiences, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty and spirit of traditional Japanese culture.

Visiting this remarkable machiya provides a rare opportunity to rediscover the heart of Japanese tradition and hospitality.

Tea Ceremony Experience
Guests can enjoy the tea ceremony in a variety of settings, from a traditional tatami tea room to a ritsurei-style tea room with chairs recommended for those who find sitting on the floor difficult, as well as tea rooms suitable for groups. During the experience, you will watch the tea preparation and learn the spirit of the tea ceremony and how to properly enjoy matcha.

A Message from the Proprietor

---

Mineko Tanaka, 13th Generation Proprietor of Tondaya

President, Nishijin Lifestyle Museum Tondaya
Headmaster, Koto no Kaze Wadokai (Kimono Etiquette School)

We hope that our guests will feel the special atmosphere and spirit that comes from a machiya that is still alive and breathing today—one that continues to serve as both a home and a place of business. By experiencing it firsthand, we believe your memories of Kyoto and Japan will become even more meaningful and unforgettable.