Four hundred years ago, Kanrantei Tea House was part of Fushimi Castle in Kyoto. The second unifier of Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, gifted it to the ruler of Sendai, Masamune Date. The Date family relocated it to its present location in Matsushima atop the Moon-Watching Cape, where they used it to entertain high-ranking visitors and for moon-viewing parties. The name Kanrantei means “place to view the rippling waters” and original calligraphy by Date rulers still hangs in the tea house. The magnificent main room has sliding doors decorated with paintings made on actual gold leaf.

Today, this samurai teahouse is open to all. A ticket is required to enter the grounds and view the interior. Matcha tea and sweets sets are available. Popular options include the traditional namagashi delicacy which changes with the season, the kabocha cake made by the nearby Matsuda Confectionery using local squash, and “The Matsushima,” a pastry with anko (sweet red bean paste) between cream cheese “waves.”

The ticket price includes entry to the small Matsushima Museum in the rear which houses armor, battle flags, and other historic objects related to the Date family.