Experience Authentic Matcha in Kyoto
"Matcha" is gaining popularity worldwide as a "superfood". If you're visiting Japan, why not fully experience authentic matcha in Kyoto?
To commemorate the "Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan", Kyoto is hosting a special Japanese tea event. Experience Japanese culture and hospitality while savoring a variety of teas, including matcha, sencha, and gyokuro. Kyoto is easily accessible from the Expo site, so be sure to combine your visit with experiencing Kyoto's tea culture.
Enjoy Kyoto at the Expo - Kansai Pavilion Kyoto Zone
Expo 2025 is building excitement every day. The final days are drawing to a close on October 13th.
If you're heading to the Expo, be sure to visit the "Kansai Pavilion"! Nine prefectures in the Kansai area are showcasing their respective cultures and attractions.
A must-see is the "Kyoto Zone". The moment you step inside, you'll be captivated by its unique worldview, distinctive from any other booths. Created by an artist with ties to Kyoto, the space is covered from wall to floor in original "kimono tiles" (Kyoto roofing tiles), featuring a distinctive tile pattern reminiscent of the front lining of a kimono. It exudes a minimalist yet dignified serenity.
The theme of the Kyoto Zone is "ichiza konryu" (一座建立): to establish (konryu) a space where heart-to-heart communication takes place between host and guest (ichiza), cherished in the tea ceremony culture. Demonstrations and hands-on events are planned to encourage visitors to interact with exhibitors, fostering the very experience of unity.
Experience a piece of Kyoto here in Expo, gain inspiration for your trip, and then visit Kyoto; further enhancing the enjoyment of your travel.
Participate in a Japanese Tea Event in Kyoto
In conjunction with the Expo, Kyoto is hosting the "KYOTO WHOLE TEA EXPO" an event where you can fully experience Kyoto's tea culture.
By participating in this event, you can experience the depth of tea that cannot be discovered by simply purchasing it in a store. Learning the story behind each cup, will give you an authentic understanding and special experience of Japanese tea.
Two particularly noteworthy Japanese tea events are scheduled for this fall. Both are guaranteed to be a highlight of your trip.
September 21, 2025 - Yamashiro Tea Ceremony
On September 21st, the Yamashiro Tea Ceremony will be held in the Yamashiro (山城) region of southern Kyoto Prefecture. Yamashiro is famous for producing Uji tea, one of Japan's most famous tea brand.
This event is offers you a diverse experiences, allowing you to delve into the profound world of Uji tea. Participants can enjoy a variety of activities, including a matcha presentation ceremony, a stone-milling experience where participants create matcha powder using traditional methods, and a traditional game called "chakabuki (茶香服)" where participants taste different Uji teas and try to guess the type, similar to a wine tasting.
In addition, a lecture by a Uji tea instructor will be held, where you can learn authentic tea brewing techniques. High-quality tea leaves will also be available for purchase at the venue, making a perfect memento of your trip or a souvenir for a loved one.
The Yamashiro Tea Ceremony is a casual event anyone can enjoy. Additionally, the "Uji Tea & Yamashiro Gourmet Festival," an event featuring approximately 100 booths, will be held simultaneously. Enjoy dishes and sweets made with local ingredients, as well as purchase Kyoto vegetables.
Experience a special day in Kyoto, where you can savor tea, food, and culture all in one place.
Yamashiro Tea Ceremony
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 9:30 to 15:00
Admission: Free (some activities require fees)
Location: Joyo Gori Gori no Oka (Kizugawa Sports Park) (14-8 Tomino Kitakado, Joyo City)
Website: https://teaexpo.kyoto/event/0630/
October 4, 2025 - The World of Tango Tea Expo in Amanohashidate
On October 4th, the "The World of Tango Tea Expo" will be held in Amanohashidate, one of Japan's Three Most Scenic Views. This is a beautiful scenic spot located on the Tango Peninsula in northern Kyoto, facing the Sea of Japan.
In addition to tasting matcha at the venue, you can also watch a demonstration of the tea ceremony's "otemae (お点前)" technique. Being able to experience up close the spirit of hospitality embodied in these tranquil gestures is a valuable experience for travelers to Japan. There's also a tasting where you can try a wide variety of teas, including sencha and Japanese black tea, all at once, so you're sure to find your favorite.
This is an event where you can fully experience Japanese tea, and is a great place to visit along with sightseeing at the spectacular Amanohashidate. If you add this to your travel itinerary, you'll be able to enjoy a special day that's unique to Kyoto.
The World of Tango Tea Expo
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 9:30 to 16:00 (cancelled in case of inclement weather)
- Matcha Tea Experience: 10:00 to 15:00
- Yukata (casual summer kimono) Experience: 9:30 to 16:00
- Tea Tasting: 10:00 to 15:00
Location: Amanohashidate Hotel (310 Monju, Miyazu City), Amanohashidate Station (314-2 Monju, Miyazu City), special venues within Amanohashidate Park (517-3, 643-1 Monju, Miyazu City)
October 3-5, 2025 - Tango Open Factory 2025 "NeoTAN"
In addition to the Amanohashidate tea event, you'll want to visit Tango Open Factory 2025 "NeoTAN," held in Kyotango City and Yosano Town, also in the Tango area. For three days from October 3rd to 5th, local factories will be open to the public!
Kyotango City and Yosano Town have long been textile centers, and Tango Chiri-men, a silk fabric originating in the Edo period, has great suppleness and excellent dyeing properties. Its use as a representative fabric for kimonos, including Yuzen dyeing, has supported Japanese traditional clothing culture. Even today, as you walk through the town, you can still hear the clanging of weaving machines.
This event allows you to experience the passion and craftsmanship of these highly regarded Japanese artisans firsthand. It's a special experience you won't find on a regular tourist trip.
You can also enjoy the rich culinary culture that has been passed down through the region. Experience the lifestyle of Tango's people while savoring seasonal ingredients and dishes unique to the region.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience the "real Kyoto", something a tourist spot cannot offer.
Tango Open Factory 2025 "NeoTAN"
Date: Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5, 2025
Time: 10:00 to 17:00
Location: Kyotango City and Yosano Town
Website: https://neotan.jp/
From Expo to Kyoto: A Journey Connecting the Future and Tradition
After enjoying the Osaka-Kansai Expo, be sure to extend your trip to Kyoto. Kyoto is packed with special events unique to this fall. Each event allows you to deepen your connection with culture and people through "experiences". Tasting tea, meeting artisans, and experiencing the local culture will create memories that are more than just visiting - you will live in the moment in Kyoto.
