Start your morning at Imadegawa Station and walk together to Tea Ceremony KOTO. Here, you’ll join a small-group tea ceremony led by a local host. You’ll learn the basics of matcha preparation, understand the meaning behind the gestures, and enjoy freshly prepared green tea with traditional Japanese sweets. It’s a simple, hands-on introduction to Kyoto’s tea culture without feeling rushed or formal. From there, we walk a few minutes to Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. This spacious park surrounds the former Imperial Palace and offers wide gravel paths, seasonal trees, and a quieter side of the city. Your guide shares historical context so you can better appreciate what you’re seeing, rather than just passing through. We continue on foot to Nijō Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its “nightingale floors” and detailed interiors that reflect the power of the Tokugawa shogunate. With guided insights, you’ll understand the political role the castle played in Japan’s history. The tour ends around 12:30 pm, leaving you with a deeper understanding of Kyoto and plenty of time to explore more on your own.

Japan

Kyoto Tea Ceremony & Imperial Garden Walking Tour

Authentic matcha tea ceremony with sweets, stroll through Kyoto Gyoen, and explore UNESCO-listed Nijō Castle in one relaxed morning.