AreaMatsushima Bay

Kanrantei Tea House

観瀾亭 | Kanrantei Tea House

Tea with Masamune

Photo by Roger Smith

Photo by Roger Smith

Photo by Roger Smith

Photo by Roger Smith

  • Roger Smith

    Writer & Inaugural editor

    Matsushima Bay

    Tags

    Last Update
    February 7, 2019

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  • 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.

    This is a great place to stop in to take a break while touring Matsushima. The sweetness of the desserts nicely balances the slight bitterness of the tea. During fall color season, Kanrantei has special evening hours. If you come in September for the harvest moon, there is a special full-moon concert. These events bring the teahouse back to its samurai roots as a place to enjoy entertainment while watching Matsushima Bay ripple in the moonlight.

    WEBSITEhttps://www.town.miyagi-matsushima.lg.jp/index.cfm/8,3105,30,html

Details

ADDRESS

Chōnai-56, Matsushima-machi, Miyagi-gun, Miyagi-ken 981-0213

ACCESS BY PUBLIC TRANSIT

4-minute walk from Matsushimakaigan Station (Senseki Line)

ADMISSION

¥200 adults, ¥150 college & high school students, ¥100 junior high & elementary school students

CREDIT CARDS

Not accepted

LANGUAGES

Limited English

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

No

HOURS

April–Oct 8:30–17:00*, Nov–March 8:30–16:30*

*Last entry & last food/tea order is 30 minutes before closing

CLOSED DAYS

None

PHONE

022-354-5708

Food & Drink Details

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN

Yes

HALAL

No

FOREIGN-LANGUAGE MENU

Yes

NON-SMOKING

Yes

RESERVATION

Necessary only for groups

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