Tea ceremonies in Kodaiji Temple

Would you like to enjoy tea ceremonies in the prestigious Kodaiji Temple? It can be an outstanding experience in Kyoto.

Tea ceremonies in Kyoto

Several places provide experiencing Japanese traditional tea ceremonies in Kyoto. Such services include Authentic Kyoto Tea Ceremony: Camellia Flower Teahouse and others.

If you follow the link above, you can find so many tea ceremonies available in Kyoto everyday.

Tea ceremonies in Kodaiji Temple

However, what I recommend here is different. A tea ceremony in the Kodaiji Temple. Kodaiji Temple organizes only eight series of tea ceremonies a year. Why don’t you join if you happen to be in Kyoto.

Eight series of the tea ceremonies in Kodaiji Temple are 遺芳庵朝茶席 (Iho-an morning tea ceremony), 七夕茶会 (Tanabata tea ceremony), 浴衣の茶会 (tea ceremony with yukata), 観月茶会 (moon viewing tea ceremony), 北政所茶会 (Kitano-mandokoro tea ceremony), 鬼瓦濃茶席 (gargoyle tea ceremony), 夜咄茶会 (night story tea ceremony) and 新緑茶会 (fresh green tea ceremony).

Please check here for the occasions. https://www.kodaiji.com/chakai.html

These tea ceremonies take place in different time of the year at different places in Kodaiji Temple. Each of them has a special meaning, which may be difficult to explain in English.

Moon viewing tea ceremony

Probably the most popular one is the moon viewing tea ceremony. In Japan, September is consider to be the best season to see moon. Especially the full moon in September is called Chu-shu-no-meigetsu. And the moon viewing tea ceremony is held around full moon period.

Reservation is a must and only around 10 persons can attend each day. The event starts at 6 pm and takes three hours. It includes a tea ceremony, a guided night tour of the temple garden, and Tenshin style Japanese diner at a nearby restaurant. English guide or instruction is not available. But you can just mimic what others do.

The participation fee was 8,000 yen per person (in 2024). Considering the experience and comparing to other tea ceremonies for the tourists, we find this rather cheap. Please try!

About Kodaiji Temple

Kodaiji Temple, located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, is a beautiful temple belonging to the Rinzai sect of the Kenninji school. It was established in 1599 by Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to commemorate her late husband. After Hideyoshi’s death, the temple functioned as a place to console his spirit, and it also became where Nene spent her remaining years. The temple is particularly famous for its beautiful gardens, featuring a strolling pond garden and a dry landscape garden. Visitors can enjoy the changing scenery throughout the seasons, with the cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves being especially popular.

Kodaiji is also home to many historically significant buildings and cultural treasures, including the exquisite lacquerware known as “Kodaiji Makie” and important cultural properties like the Kaisando Hall and the Otamaya (mausoleum). The architecture and decorations reflect the opulent aesthetic of the Momoyama period, and its historical and cultural value has drawn attention both in Japan and abroad. The temple’s nighttime illumination events are particularly popular, offering a magical atmosphere as the entire temple is beautifully lit, creating a truly special experience for visitors.