MANDARACHA - 曼荼羅茶

If you're a tea lover, I definitely recommend this place. They even recommended a tea to try depending on what other teas I enjoyed. And it was spot on. They have lots of choice in good quality teas. They carefully prepare it and even involve you in the process a bit Great ambience to enjoy a good cup of tea and it's served in beautiful cups, pots and on trays. They have tea that they sell and also some tea accessories like kyusu pots, cups and houhin tea pots and matcha tools They speak great English so also very good place to go if your Japanese is not so good

my favourite hidden tea gem in kyoto: tea studio mandaracha 🌱🍵 speaking of highlights in kyoto (and there were so many) one experience stands above the rest: my visit to tea studio mandaracha ❤️ i first heard about the place through tea groups and couldn’t be more grateful for the recommendation. expectations were already high, given all the praise — but mandaracha still managed to exceed them. the studio is run by alex, a former engineer who first fell in love with tea in china and later in japan. with a typically precise, almost technical approach, he has been studying, sourcing, and experimenting with japanese teas for years. but what makes the place shine is not just alex’s knowledge — it’s his openness and passion. he answers every question with enthusiasm, shares stories about the estates he works with and brings rare teas back into circulation. even his tea card impresses: maps, graphs, and concise notes on japan’s tea geography — a thoughtful little tool that helps you taste with both brain and senses. in japan they say 神は細部に宿る kami wa saibu ni yadoru – “god dwells in the details” 🌱🙏 for my session today, i was delighted to find a red gaba tea. im big fan of gaba but usually don’t encounter it very often, especially currently in japan! it’s a pity cause gaba tea itself has a fascinating story. it was invented in japan in the 1980s by dr. tsushida to create a tea rich in gamma-aminobutyric acid (gaba) - a natural compound that calms the nervous system, lowers blood pressure and supports relaxation. the method involves processing tea leaves in a nitrogen-rich, oxygen-free environment, which encourages gaba to accumulate in the leaves. surprisingly though japan pioneered the technique, gaba never took off domestically. japanese tea culture is still dominated by green teas and gaba from green varieties doesn’t develop the same richness as in oolong or red teas. instead the technique found new life in taiwan, where gaba oolongs became popular and are still widely produced today. also vietnam slowly picks up and last gaba i showed you, was made there with taiwanese know-how ❤️ alex’s japanese red gaba from shizuoka is also very special. it’s rare, complex and deeply soothing — with layers of taste. i honestly lost count of how many brews i had (around ten for sure!) and by the end i felt like i’d had both an evening satori and a feast for the senses. small hidden paradise - in a cup 😁🙏 the gaba and few other small gift samples i took also with me for my growing tea collection - looking forward to taste all of those too. so yes; if you are tea lover in kyoto mandaracha - is the must see place. can’t recommend enough - my kyoto tea highlight definitely ❤️🙏

Truly a special place. Not just the delicious matcha or the beautiful interior or the amazing vegan desserts but the vibe of the place. I had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Alex, and one of his team, Laura. Two of the nicest people I’ve met. The way they do things here is pure art. This is a “must try”, no doubt about it. 10/10

A beautiful tea house with excellent service and delicious tea. It's a bit pricey and the portions are small. I got the matcha creme brulee and it came in an espresso cup sized dish so don't expect it to fill you up. I would come here if you are looking for a calm, quiet, and gentle atmosphere and high quality teas.

A wonderful hidden place to enjoy the finest tea. We were so lucky to find this, offside of the busy Gion district with crowded and overpriced tea houses. Mandaracha is a true treasure. The atmosphere is calm, peaceful and beautifully designed immediately giving you the tea house flair you wish for. The staff is extremely friendly, welcoming and helpful, explaining the different teas and introducing you to the tea ceremony. The tea itself was so nice and the little sweet treats were just so tasty. Thank you for this wonderful experience.

Mandaracha gave me exactly the experience I hoped for in Kyoto: tranquility, quality, and a deep passion for tea. It’s located away from the noisy crowds yet still close to the main attractions. We chose to taste gyokuro and genmaicha, which were prepared right at our table so we could make the second cup ourselves. The staff were wonderful: knowledgeable and kind. I’m very happy we bought a banko-yaki teapot - it will always remind me of this visit whenever I use it back home.

Ultimate Zen Tea Experience in Kyoto After a month in Japan exploring various tea spots, this place truly stood out. The owner welcomed us with kindness and took the time to explain the differences between teas and teapots with genuine passion. There’s also a beautiful selection of teas and Zen books to browse through — it’s more than just a tea shop, it’s an experience of calm and connection. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a tea experience while travelling in Japan.

Thoroughly enjoyed this place; the staff were extremely knowledgeable about tea and explained everything they were serving. They also have a large selection of tea for people who want to make it at home. The matcha was delicious and the cold teas were really refreshing.