Article

Located on the vast tea plantation of Makinohara Plateau in Shizuoka Prefecture, the Fujinokuni Tea Museum is dedicated to all things tea. Surrounded by expansive tea fields, this museum features exhibits about the tea industry, history, folklore, and culture. Visitors can also explore a Japanese garden and tea house associated with the Edo-period tea master, Kobori Enshu, and enjoy a meal featuring tea-infused dishes while taking in stunning views of Mount Fuji. Here, you can immerse yourself in the tea culture with hands-on experiences, such as savoring matcha and traditional Japanese sweets in an authentic tearoom, grinding your matcha using a stone mill, and learning the best methods for brewing Shizuoka tea.

At the Mount Fuji Observation Hall, guests are treated to the warm hospitality of freshly brewed Shizuoka tea served in a traditional teapot. Spend a relaxing day at the museum and immerse yourself in the charm of tea.

Located along the Biwa Canal in Kyoto's Okazaki district, home to various cultural facilities such as museums and libraries, the Hosomi Museum boasts one of Japan's finest collections of Japanese art, including Buddhist and Shinto artworks, tea ceremony art, and paintings by Rinpa (A Japanese art known for nature-inspired designs with bold colors) artists and Ito Jakuchu.

On the museum's top floor is Kokoan, a tearoom known as the final masterpiece of the legendary sukiya-style carpenter Sotoji Nakamura. You can indulge in a tea ceremony experience, savoring matcha from a renowned Kyoto tea shop paired with seasonal sweets while observing the graceful art of tea preparation. During the tea ceremony, an event open to the public, you can admire the decor and tools used, each featuring items from the Hosomi collection. This creates a truly unique and unforgettable experience only a museum can offer!

Since its opening, the Suntory Museum of Art has upheld the principle of "Art in Life," hosting captivating exhibitions featuring paintings, ceramics, lacquerware, and more. The museum houses a collection of approximately 3,000 works of art, including a National Treasure and important cultural properties such as Kyoto tea utensils by Nonomura Ninsei and Ogata Kenzan.

The Genchō-an tearoom, located within the museum, is usually closed to the public. However, on specific days during exhibitions, a tea ceremony is held, where you can enjoy matcha and seasonal Japanese sweets. It is an exclusive experience limited to 48 guests per day, offering a luxurious opportunity to immerse yourself in the essence of Japanese culture within a serene setting.

The Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko is a cultural tourism facility that promotes Sakai City's rich history and culture. It consists of the Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of Sen no Rikyu and tea ceremony, the Yosano Akiko Museum, and a Tourist Information Space.

At the tea ceremony experience facility, located across the site of Sen no Rikyu's former residence, visitors can casually enjoy matcha and Sakai sweets while seated on stools, all while admiring a tea ceremony demonstration by a tea master from one of the top three tea Senke schools.

Additionally, the facility offers a tea ceremony experience in an authentic tearoom, where you can not only learn proper tea ceremony etiquette but also prepare tea yourself under the guidance of the three tea Senke schools. This hands-on experience* is highly recommended for those who want to immerse themselves in the world of tea ceremony.
*Reservation required

Yokokan Garden, a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty, is a stroll-style garden with a sukiya-style residence that once served as a villa for the Matsudaira clan, the lords of Fukui. It is renowned as one of the most exquisite mid-Edo period gardens.

During the spring and autumn seasons, you can enjoy a tea ceremony that fully engages your senses in the beauty of the seasons. While gazing at the reflections of fresh greenery or autumn foliage on the pond, you can enjoy traditional Japanese sweets, seasonal flowers, and hanging scrolls decorating the tearoom.

Additionally, in the specially prepared Otsukimi no Ma (Moon Viewing Room), you can enjoy the hospitality of traditional tea and sencha ceremonies performed by different tea schools.