Ikebana and Tea Ceremony

Hello,

My wife is very interested in Ikebana and the Japanese tea ceremonies. Is there a good place where we could sign up for a quick hands-on class for either of these cultural things? If they're in English, that'll be a plus too.

We will be traveling abroad to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I'm assuming Kyoto would seem like a prime location for Ikebana and tea ceremony classes.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Gion Corner in Kyoto will enable you to see a demonstration of both Ikebana and Tea Ceremony as well as other cultural demonstrations such as bunraku and traditional dance. The performances are put on specifically for tourists so it is pretty breif and watered down but still a good overview and you can take as many pictures as you want. http://www.kyoto-gioncorner.com/global/en.html
You can also have the option of attending a group tea ceremony performed by Kyoto Maiko and Geiko as part of the higher class tickets for the Spring dances of the Geisha. The Miyako Odori is the most wel known but the Kyo Odori and the Kitano Odori are both on during April.
http://www.miyako-odori.jp/odori_en.html
http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/visitkyoto/en/info_required/traditional/kyoto...

There is a craft centre in Kyoto http://www.kyotohandicraftcenter.com/ that has some classes as well as selling craft items. Your wife may be interested in some things here.

Hey Kikuya,

Thanks for the information! The Kyoto craft center you mentioned towards the end looks like the perfect thing my wife is looking for. However, I looked at the site and Ikebana and tea ceremony isn't included. Rather than just seeing people perform for us, she would like to learn how to do them hands-on. Is there a place for activities like that?

Thanks!

Something like this?

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/travel/practical/sadou.html

AK, great website! Do you know if they just serve the tea to visitors or if the visitors can practice doing the tea ceremony as well?

Ikebana
http://wakjapan.com/prices/204/
http://wakjapan.com/prices/1605/

Tea Ceremony
http://wakjapan.com/prices/201/
http://wakjapan.com/prices/under-5500yen/1437/
http://wakjapan.com/prices/1584/

Google reports that Wakjapan's site may be compromised, and the homepage looks compromised, but the individual pages seem to be fine for me. Use your own caution.

You could also just contact them
http://wakjapan.com/contact-us/
TEL: +81 (0)75 212 9993

Interesting site! I do prefer a non-comprising source though :)