Matcha Mania: Kyoto's Best Matcha Experiences for Tea Lovers 

In Kyoto, matcha is so much more than just a hot beverage. Its history, tradition, and spirituality, all presented in a powdery green form.

Matcha was first cultivated in the nearby city of Uji over 800 years ago. As the demand for the region's high-quality matcha evolved, so too did Kyoto's elaborate tea ceremonies, wagashi (Japanese confections) artistry, and modern matcha desserts. 

Fast-forward to today and matcha has taken over the world, creating a renewed interest in Kyoto's unique matcha culture. Whether you're a tea aficionado or a complete novice, Kyoto's best matcha experiences will help you tap into this city's past and present.

From participating in a traditional tea ceremony with a tea master to harvesting tea at an organic plantation to learning how to brew that perfect cup of matcha, spending as much time as possible immersing yourself in Kyoto's matcha culture is bound to be one of the most memorable parts of your Kyoto itinerary.

Dating back to 1717, Ippodo is now one of the top tea companies in Japan. With stores located in Kyoto, Tokyo, and beyond, Ippodo is your one-stop shop for all things matcha.

Popular amongst beginners and connoisseurs alike, the selection of green tea and matcha products at Ippodo's Kyoto shop and tea house is vast, making it an easy place to pick up souvenirs to bring back home. 

One thing that's nice about Ippodo is that there's usually a helpful staff member onsite, who can speak English and answer any questions you might have. This traditional shop also houses the famous Ippodo Kaboku Tearoom, where you can sample different teas and wagashi, which are artfully crafted confections that are often paired with matcha.

The expert staff will either walk you through the steps of preparing your own tea or brew it for you according to your preferences. Ippodo often holds classes and tea tastings, too, so check out the website to see what's happening during your visit.

If you're on a quest for the highest-quality matcha in town, you'll want to look into getting some of Marukyu Koyamaen's beautifully packaged matcha products.

This company has been producing some of the finest Japanese green tea in Uji since 1704 and is well-known for supplying tea to five-star hotels, elite tea ceremony schools, and major shrines and temples. 

For an in-depth Kyoto matcha experience, visit their main facility in Uji and take the Marukyu Koyamaen Matcha Factory Tour.

Alternatively, you can stop by the Nishinotoin Tea Shop and Motoan Tea House in downtown Kyoto. Here you can choose from a range of high-end matcha powders, lovely gift sets, and a few limited-edition teas that you can't find in other stores.

When in Uji, you should definitely pay a visit to the famous Nakamura Tokichi Honten tea house. Founded in 1874, Nakamura Tokichi Honten is one of the most renowned tea companies in Japan, and its teas are top-of-the-line.

You'll want to arrive at this famous tea house as early as possible. Not only does the queue get long (you could wait up to two hours), but many of the most popular matcha products often sell out quickly. 

It's worth the wait to try their famous matcha treats, including the seasonal Maruto Parfait.

This elaborate dessert is layered with ten ingredients, from matcha ice cream, matcha tea jelly, and matcha chiffon to berries, dainagon azuki beans, and lemon jam, before being topped with a thick layer of matcha. It's truly a work of art. If you've got room for more, you should try the matcha soba noodles, too.

One way to fully tap into the Kyoto matcha culture is to take a day trip to nearby Wazuka and tour the d:matcha tea farm. Founded in 2016, this company prides itself on its organic, sustainable, and farm-to-table practices and philosophies. 

Sign up for one of the matcha farm tours and you'll go tea picking, get an insightful tour of the factory, sample sencha and matcha teas, grind your own matcha, and enjoy a tea-themed lunch overlooking the tea fields. The tour is led by Daiki Tanaka, d:matcha's founder, so you know your experience is going to be special. 

Located a short stroll from Kyoto's famous Ryoan-ji Temple, Camellia Garden is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in one of the top Kyoto tea houses.

You can either join a group ceremony or arrange for a private ceremony. While it's not required, you can rent a kimono to wear during the ceremony if you'd like.

The tea ceremony will be conducted in English inside a 100-year-old wooden machiya (traditional townhouse), complete with a Japanese garden as the backdrop.

Your expert tea master will walk you through the intricacies, history, and etiquette of the tea ceremony before serving you wagashi, performing the tea ceremony, and offering you a bowl of matcha to savour. At the end, you'll be offered a short lesson on how to make your own matcha. 

Set in the matcha mecca that is Uji, Chazuna (aka the Tea and Uji Community Center) is the perfect place to get hands-on with a matcha workshop.

You'll learn all about Uji's matcha history inside the museum before sitting down with an expert instructor who will teach you how to grind matcha using a stone mill and brew the perfect cup of tea. The smell of freshly ground matcha is nothing short of divine.

Of course, you'll get to sip your freshly brewed creation at the end of the workshop.

You're going to find countless shops selling modern matcha-flavoured treats in Kyoto. If you're not sure where to go, GOKAGO is a local favourite for a reason. From their Uji matcha lattes and matcha ice cream to the matcha doughnuts and blueberry matcha soda, this place is a matcha lover's dream come true.  

If you're looking for a convenient place to base yourself to make the most of your matcha-infused trip to Kyoto, Mercure Kyoto Station is a solid choice.

The station is a 10-minute walk away, making getting around town a breeze. From modern rooms with plush beds and large flat-screen TVs to the lavish breakfast buffet in the mornings, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Matcha is a type of green tea, but unlike others, matcha plants are covered to avoid direct sunlight before the leaves are dried, de-stemmed, and ground in a mill. The result is a bright green powder that's full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. 

When it comes to trying matcha in Kyoto, you're going to be spoilt for choice. You can try matcha as part of a Japanese tea ceremony at tea houses like Camellia Garden, enjoy matcha and wagashi at the Ippodo Kaboku Tearoom, sample a matcha parfait or matcha soba noodles at Nakamura Tokichi Honten in Uji, or get a matcha latte and matcha doughnut at GOKAGO.

A Japanese tea ceremony is an intricate ritual in which matcha tea is prepared and served in a way that promotes harmony, respect, mindfulness, and simplicity. As the imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, tea ceremonies have a long history in Kyoto, making it the most unique place to experience this artistic cultural custom. 

Yes, you can absolutely join a tea ceremony that’s beginner-friendly and in English. One of the best tea ceremonies in Kyoto is hosted at Camellia Garden. This ceremony is offered in English and is perfect for beginners. You can even dress in a traditional kimono if you'd like.

One of the most important customs to follow during a matcha tea ceremony in Kyoto is to always bow back when you're bowed to. The wagashi should be eaten in a few small bites before drinking the tea.

Finally, when your host gives you a bowl of tea, it's considered polite to rotate the bowl 90 degrees and drink the contents in three sips, making a loud slurping sound with the final sip as a sign of respect and satisfaction. But don't worry, as a beginner and a foreigner, you won't be judged if you forget to follow the exact etiquette.