The experience
Takagamine lies at the foot of the hills on the northern edge of Kyoto, beside the Kamiya River. The artist Hon'ami Koetsu once lived here. There is a daytime session among the trees and an evening session by candlelight.
Your host, Michiyo Fujimura, is a tea master and associate professor of the Mushanokoji Senke school, born and raised in Kyoto. The session begins with a purification using spring water and a branch of sakaki, then about fifteen minutes of meditation, ended by the sound of tingsha bells.
She then explains a custom of the season, from the New Year to the purifying fire of November. You can choose a tea ceremony with a seasonal sweet in place of the custom, and ask for a chakaiseki meal at Sanyu-kyo, a restaurant nearby.
On the day
-
Purification
A rite with spring water and a branch of sakaki.
-
Meditation
About fifteen minutes, guided by the host.
-
The season
Stories and a custom of the month, such as the purifying fire in November.
-
Optional tea ceremony
A tea ceremony with a seasonal sweet.
-
Optional chakaiseki
A meal at Sanyu-kyo, nearby.
Guide price
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per person, from | ¥47,316 |
- Includes the experience, facility charges, the interpreter and tax.
- There is a minimum of two guests. A booking for one pays the two-guest minimum.
- This is the lowest per-person rate. The final price depends on the number of guests, the date and the options you choose.
Good to know
- Booking deadline
- At least 2 days before.
- Cancellation
- Full refund up to 11 days before, by 17:00 Japan time.
- Language
- An English-speaking interpreter is included.
- What to wear
- Shoes come off. Wear socks and a skirt or trousers that cover the knee. Rings, earrings and necklaces come off.
- Day or evening
- Choose the daytime session among the trees or the evening session by candlelight.
- Age
- Adult rate from 13. Guests under 18 come with an adult.
What STAYGO does
- We arrange the session through Wabunka, the booking site the host uses, and keep in touch with them about your date.
- We help you choose between the seasonal custom and the tea ceremony, and the day or evening session.
- We plan the car to Takagamine and back.
This experience is paid in advance by credit card, in yen, through Wabunka, at the price they show. STAYGO adds nothing to it.
Arranged only as part of a STAYGO journey.
Details checked on the host's published page on 13 October 2026. Hosts set their own prices and terms and may change them. We confirm them again when we arrange your date, and nothing is confirmed until the host accepts it.
You pay hotels, ryokan, restaurants and guides directly, at their own rates. We add no markups and take no commissions. The Signature planning fee is USD 3,500 for your group, for a journey of 7–14 days. Longer or more complex journeys are planned as Bespoke.