Kyoto’s Meiji-era mansion opens a private tearoom with stained glass for just one day

A rare East-meets-West tea ceremony in a seldom seen tearoom.

A country’s culture is often deep and never-ending, always with new facets to explore, but the point where two cultures meet and blend is no less fascinating. In the case of Japan, it has led to things like the tradition of yoshoku (Western dishes adapted for Japanese tastes), and modern musical groups like Wagakki Band, which blends rock with traditional Japanese instruments. The fusion of Japanese and Western cultures stretches into many fields, and one of these can be seen in Kyoto. Within the city, a landmark that bridges these two worlds exists as Hotel Chorakukan.

Built in 1909 during the Meiji era (1868–1912) by wealthy tobacco industrialist Kichibei Murai, Chourakukan was originally designed as a grand villa to entertain foreign diplomats, nobility, and prominent global figures. Its construction reflected an era when Japan was rapidly modernizing and actively welcoming the West, with its outer appearance utilizing a brick and stone-heavy design characteristically found in European countries rather than the more wooden structures found in traditional Japanese architecture. Over a century later, the mansion still serves as an elegant venue where traditional Japanese heritage and European luxury harmonize.

To celebrate this legacy, the hotel will host the annual Art Festival in Chourakukan 2026 on September 27. In its fifth installment, the festival aims to introduce the history, architectural beauty, and guest-receiving traditions of Chorakukan to the public. Under this year’s theme of Architecture and Hospitality Culture, the one-day event offers a variety of cultural, artistic, and culinary experiences.

While there are several activities to do at the festival, from incense making to enjoying a French dinner course, one of the main highlights of the festival is the opportunity for general visitors to attend a special Tea Serving Experience (known as “teicha”) in Chorakuan, a magnificent third-floor tearoom that is usually kept strictly private.

Teicha is the formal act of preparing matcha and entertaining guests and can be seen to be a significantly shorter and more streamlined version of a full-scale, formal tea gathering (“chaji”). A chaji could last anywhere up to four hours, following a strict sequence of events and ceremonies, and participants are expected to hold a deep knowledge of the complex etiquette involved. Teicha, on the other hand, usually lasts in the range of 30 to 45 minutes, with the host preparing matcha alongside a seasonal confection without the ritual.

The tearoom Chorakuan is built as a replica of Zangetsutei, a famous historic tearoom originating from Omotesenke, one of the three main historical schools of Japanese tea ceremony. While classical tearooms emphasize simplicity, Chorakuan features vibrant stained-glass windows depicting spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage.

The event will be held over six sessions between 10:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., with each being approximately 45 minutes. These sessions will accommodate ten guests per session, and advance reservation is required, making for a very exclusive experience. Tickets cost 2,500 yen (US$16), which includes admission to the Art Festival, or if you happen to have already picked up a ticket to the festival, the tea experience will cost an additional 2,000 yen.

After September 27, the tearoom Chorakuan will once again close its doors to the public, until the next special event comes around. Enjoying matcha served alongside seasonal sweets in a traditional room illuminated by Western stained glass offers an unforgettable East-meets-West experience, so keep your eyes out for the next opportunity if you happen to miss out. Or try out other avenues of mixed cultures by rocking a denim kimono or making your own sushi burgers.

Event information
Geijutsusai in Chourakukan 2026 / 芸術祭 in CHOURAKUKAN 2026
Venue: Hotel Chourakukan / 芸術祭 in CHOURAKUKAN 2026
Address: Kyoto-fu, Kyoto-shi, Higashiyama-ku, Maruayama-cho 604
京都府京都市東山区円山町604
Open 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Admission: 1,000 yen (Art Festival only)
Website