A Sip of Tea Culture in Kyoto! 8 Amazing Matcha and Green Tea Activities

Gyokuro is a type of green tea that is grown in the shade, producing a bold umami, savory flavor that tastes almost as rich as soup depending on how it’s brewed. Fugenji Fureai no Eki in Kyotanabe is a center carrying local agricultural products and tea. They also offer an in-depth tea-making workshop, during which participants can learn how gyokuro is processed from leaves.

In this intensive workshop, participants will learn how to roll the tea leaves and help process them into fine-quality gyokuro tea. This six-hour class is offered seasonally. The workshop fee is around 60,000 yen for a group of four or five.

Be sure to inquire in advance about reserving a spot. Non-Japanese speakers are encouraged to bring a friend or interpreter who is fluent in Japanese.

A matcha art class is a fun experience for all ages, allowing participants to hone their creative skills. Matcha art classes are taught by an experienced and friendly teacher in Wazuka. First, you’ll learn about green tea in Kyoto and Wazuka, learn how tea is processed, and other fun facts about tea.

After you’ve prepared some matcha tea, it’s time to draw! The matcha here may look like a latte, but it is made of just green tea powder and hot water. You can then draw on the surface to create your masterpiece. If you mess up, it’s easy to correct, and you can re-do your design as many times as you want.

An advanced reservation is required to participate in a workshop. Send an email to the teacher at utena.tea@gmail.com for more information on the venue and the workshop schedule (English is accepted).

Matcha and delicious green tea are everywhere in Uji and the southern areas of Kyoto. This abundance may make it difficult to decide where to go. We recommend visiting an Uji tea-certified cafe––a certification that ensures the shop offers authentic Uji tea and has staff knowledgeable on the region’s history, culture, and brewing methods.

The following five cafes and facilities are certified Uji tea cafes, perfect for experiencing delicious matcha, tea, and sweets!

Tsujiri is a famous tea shop chain founded in 1860, with locations in Kyoto and Osaka. For a truly relaxing tea experience, head to the Tsujiri Uji Main Store. This elegant shop has a courtyard with a garden and a peaceful environment, providing a serene haven from the streets outside.

On the menu at Tsujiri Uji Main Store are traditional matcha and sweets sets, as well as matcha-infused desserts. The menu is available in English, so it’s easy to order. Pictured above is the matcha set with koicha (full-flavored, thick tea) and homemade monaka (a light wafer filled with red bean paste).

This koicha type of matcha is rich, dense, and creamy. In spite of being this rich, it’s surprisingly not bitter and recommended for those wanting to try a unique type of matcha. A second serving comes with this set, and you can ask for it to be made with a lighter flavor (usucha).

Ocha no Kanbayashi has over 400 years of history producing high-quality green tea. The shop’s second story has a cafe area where customers can enjoy matcha sets with seasonal wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) that taste delicious. Pictured above is the matcha set with chestnut mochi. The matcha tea used in this set, called Asahi no Shiro, enjoys great popularity with customers.

Kanbayashi also offers tours of the tea factory behind their shop, where you can learn how matcha and tea are processed after harvest. Here they have machine-powered versions of the stone ishiusu machines.

Maikocha Boutique is a cafe offering high-quality green tea sweets and beverages in the city of Kyotanabe. For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the matcha parfait. This large parfait is filled with rich matcha flavored ice cream, mochi, adzuki beans, chestnuts, fruit, and other delicious ingredients.

Those thirsty for tea can try the gyokuro tea set, which includes premium gyokuro tea that normally sells for 10,000 yen. You have enough for multiple cups and can even eat the leaves after you’ve had your fill of tea.

d:matcha Kyoto CAFE & KITCHEN is a facility in Wazuka that operated by d:matcha. At the cafe, you can enjoy savory offerings like sencha tea-infused Genovese pasta, matcha and hojicha chocolates, as well as Japanese-style dessert.

The cafe overlooks the town of Wazuka and its picturesque, hilly tea fields. The shop also sells sweets and tea to-go, so you can enjoy some later and share with friends.

Wazukacha Cafe is another Ujicha-certified cafe in Wazuka. Selling high-quality tea from local tea farmers, and sweets infused with matcha and tea, this is a great place for a light snack or something sweet.

Iced matcha yokan jelly is a unique treat sold here. This chilled dessert comes in different flavors, with bold matcha infused in each bar. It’s the perfect treat for a hot day!