Tea Ceremony and Kanazawa : The Tea Culture That Shaped Kanazawa’s Charm
Kanazawa has a long history of the Maeda family, the feudal lords in this region, cherishing and preserving the tea ceremony(Sado)(Chado) (chanoyu) through generations. This tradition continues to thrive today. Throughout the city, there are many tea rooms (chashitsu), and a large number of people practice the tea ceremony. Tea gatherings (chakai) are held frequently throughout the year, celebrating the changing seasons. Moreover, even for those who have never experienced the tea ceremony, there are many cafes and facilities where visitors can casually enjoy matcha (powdered green tea), allowing them to experience the charm of the tea ceremony in an accessible way.
Additionally, the tea ceremony is closely intertwined with traditional Japanese crafts (kōgei). The tools used in the tea ceremony, the design of tea rooms, and crafts reflecting the spirit of the tea ceremony all come together to create unique artworks. In Kanazawa, this fusion of tea ceremony and craftsmanship has created a distinct beauty that is characteristic of the city.
Discovering Kanazawa Through the Beauty of the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Kanazawa offers many places where you can experience the history and beauty of the tea ceremony. Here are some notable tea-related spots to visit in the city.
The site of the residence of Senso Sōshitsu (千仙叟宗室居士邸地跡)
This site was once the residence of Senso Sōshitsu, the great-grandson of SEN no Rikyū and the founder of the Urasenke school of tea. In 1652, Sōshitsu was invited by Toshitsune Maeda, the third lord of the Kaga clan, to serve as the tea master. Initially, Sōshitsu lived in Komatsu Castle, but after Toshitsune's death, he was given this land to build his residence. Sōshitsu constructed a tea room called Rōgetsu-an, modeled after SEN no Rikyū's "Kon-nichian." Today, visitors can see the Kōkō-an, with a calligraphy by Sen Genshitsu(15th Generation), and the Shōun-kan, which signifies the deep ties to the Maeda family. (Interior visits are not allowed.)
Location: Ōtemachi 9-5
Note: Only the exterior is open for viewing.
Gesshin-ji Temple (月心寺)
Gesshin-ji is the burial site of Sen Sōshitsu, and every 23rd of the month, a tea ceremony is held in his memory. The temple features several tea rooms, including Chokushin-an, Gyōkū-tei, and Shigetsuken, though they are not open to the public. The temple was established in 1650 by the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism and is located in an area designated as a traditional building preservation district. It offers a peaceful environment to enjoy the beauty of both nature and history.
Location: Yamanouemachi 1-43
Note: Reservations are required for visits.
Ōhi Museum (大樋美術館)
An essential place for tea ceremony culture in Kanazawa, the Ōhi Museum tells the story of the Ōhi Ware. The history of the Ōhi ware begins with Sen Sōshitsu invitation by Tsunanori MAEDA, the 5th lord of the Kaga clan, who later brought his disciple Tōji Chozaemon to Kanazawa. Chozaemon became the founder of Ōhi ware, which is characterized by hand-shaping the pottery rather than using a wheel and glazing it with a distinctive amber glaze. The museum exhibits works of Ōhi ware from its first generation to the present day and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy matcha in tea bowls made by the successive generations of Ōhi family. The 600-year-old pine tree on the property is also a city-designated cultural asset.
Location: Hashibacho 2-17
Note: Recognized with one Michelin Green Guide star.
Kanazawa City Nakamura Memorial Museum (金沢市立中村記念美術館)
This museum displays approximately 1,000 items collected by Eishun NAKAMURA, a sake merchant. He believed that art belonged to the people, not just individuals, and donated his collection of tea utensils to the museum for public viewing. The collection includes valuable tea utensils, including important cultural assets. Visitors can select a tea utensil to use and enjoy matcha and sweets while learning about the history and beauty of tea culture.
Location: Honda-machi 3-2-29
Note: The museum is surrounded by lush greenery and is connected to other cultural spots, including the Suzuki D.T Museum and the Kanazawa Prefectural Museum of Art.
Shōtō-an (松涛庵)
Originally built in the late Edo period as a retreat for the 12th Kaga clan lord, Nariyasu MAEDA（the 13th lord of the Kaga clan), Shōtō-an was later moved to Kamakura (now the Kamakura Literature Museum). In 1936, the 16th head of the Maeda family, Toshinari MAEDA, remodeled it into a sukiya-style tea room, naming it Shōtō-an. Eventually, the tea room was relocated to the grounds of the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum, where it remains today. The adjacent Yama-utei tea room was moved from Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture, in 1951.
Location: Hiroseka 1-2-1 (inside Kanazawa 21st Century Museum)
Note: Free to visit.
Nishida Family Garden / Gyokusen-en (西田家庭園・玉泉園)
Gyokusen-en is one of Kanazawa’s oldest gardens, predating Kenrokuen Garden by 120 years. Within the garden stands Saisetsu-tei, the oldest tea room in Kanazawa, created under the guidance of Sen Sōshitsu, the 4th generations from SEN no Rikyū. The garden features unique elements like a Christian lantern, stepping stones, and a tsukubai (stone water basin). The garden is designed with varying elevations and leads visitors from the Saishō-tei tea room through different sections of the garden. Gyokusen-en garden was originally built by a high-ranking samurai of the Maeda clan and later became part of the Nishida family property.
Location: Koshō-machi 8-3
Note: Closed in winter. The restaurant Gyokusen-tei offers meals with views of the scenic garden.
Seisonkaku / Seikōken Tea Room (成巽閣・清香軒)
Seisonkaku was built by Nariyasu MAEDA, the 13th lord of the Kaga clan, as a retirement home for his mother, Shinryūin. It is now a National Important Cultural Property. The architecture blends samurai house style with sukiya-style tea rooms. The Gunjō-no-ma, a room painted in vibrant blue, features rich colors and floral motifs, creating an elegant atmosphere. The Seikōken tea room, normally not open to the public, is part of Seisonkaku and was designed for tea ceremonies even in snowy conditions.
Location: Kenroku-machi 1-2 (inside Seisonkaku)
Note: Reservations required to see Seikoken Tea Room.
Enjoy Matcha in an Atmosphere-Filled Space
As you walk through Kanazawa, you’ll notice that history and culture are alive in every corner, creating an atmosphere that invites you to slowly savor a cup of matcha. Kanazawa offers many places where you can experience a traditional tea ceremony while enjoying the view of historic tea rooms and beautiful gardens. In this guide, we’ll introduce locations where you can enjoy matcha in a charming and atmospheric setting, organized by area.
Higashi Chaya District Area
One of Kanazawa's most iconic tourist spots, the Higashi Chaya District, is home to traditional wooden houses. In this area, you can enjoy matcha at tea houses and cafes converted from old tea rooms. Take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque streets and enjoy a calming cup of matcha.
Shima "Kansouan": A building registered as a national tangible cultural asset, where you can enjoy authentic matcha while overlooking a beautiful garden.
Kaikaro: A 200-year-old tea house, also designated as a cultural asset by the city.
Cafe Yanagian: A renovated cafe in a building designated as a cultural asset by Kanazawa City, marked by the symbol of the “Mikaeri Yanagi” (a willow tree) of Higashi Chaya.
Kureha: A charming, traditional merchant house, with a cafe on the second floor and a space displaying Kaga Yuzen(dyeing) textiles.
Ohi Museum: In this gallery designed by world famous architect Kengo KUMA, you can select a tea bowl from the Ohi ware collection and enjoy matcha.
Morihachi / Kanazawa Confectionery Woodblock Museum: In the second-floor "Morihachi Tea Room," you can enjoy matcha while looking out over the garden of Terashima Kurando’s Samurai residence.
Kazuemachi Chaya District, Omicho Market, and Oyama Shrine Area
Even in the livelier areas of Kanazawa, there are peaceful spots where you can enjoy matcha. Experience matcha in cultural spaces surrounded by charming streetscapes.
Mayuzuki Kuragarisaka: Located at the foot of Kuragarisaka（Kuragari Slope）, leading to the Kazuemachi Chaya District, this former gallery of the late American woodblock print artist Clifton Karfe is known for its unique interior design.
CAFE KAN: A popular and long-established confectionery shop that operates a cafe, offering health-conscious bean paste made from fermented adzuki beans.
Otomoro "Issei-an": The 250-year-old tea room was originally a teaching facility for the tea ceremony of the Kaga Clan, a family renowned for its role in instructing samurai in the art of tea. This tea room allows you to enjoy matcha in a space steeped in history, where the 11th head of the Urasenke school, Gen-gen-sai, once visited.
Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle Area
Kenrokuen and Kanazawa Castle are famous landmarks in Kanazawa, and they also offer locations for tea ceremonies. Enjoy matcha while gazing at beautiful gardens.
Kanazawa Castle "Gyokusen-an": A tea room located in the Gyokusen-in Maru Garden of Kanazawa Castle Park, where you can enjoy a cup of matcha while admiring the garden.
Kenrokuen "Shigure-tei": A tea room that was relocated and restored from a historical building in the Edo period, designed by the renowned tea room architect, Masao NAKAMURA.
Kenrokuen "Miyoshian": Located by the Hyōike Pond, enjoy matcha while listening to the soothing sound of the Midoridaki Falls.
Nishida Family Garden "Gyokusen-en" "Saisetsu-tei": A tea room said to be the oldest in Kanazawa, where you can enjoy matcha while overlooking the garden.
The old site of Mr. Kurando TERASHIMA's House "Tea Room": A former samurai residence where you can enjoy matcha along with specially crafted "rakugan" sweets shaped like the family crest of the Terashima family.
Nagamachi Samurai District Area
Nomura Family Samurai Residence "Fumoku-an": From the second floor tea room, you can enjoy matcha while looking out over the garden in a serene, peaceful setting.
Honda no Mori Area
Nakamura Memorial Museum "Tea Room": At this museum, you can select your favorite tea utensils. From the tea room, enjoy views of a moss-covered garden.
Kodatsuno Area
This area spreads from the Kodatsuno entrance of Kenrokuen to the Ishikawa Prefectural Library.
Tentokuin: A historic temple dedicated to the wife of the third feudal lord of the Maeda clan, who was the daughter of the second Tokugawa shogun, Hidetada. Here, you can enjoy matcha along with a traditional karakuri puppet performance.
Try Making Your Own Matcha！
One of the unique and enriching experiences you shouldn’t miss when visiting Kanazawa is learning to make your own bowl of matcha. This activity, known as jifuku（self-serving), is part of the Japanese tea ceremony and allows you to connect more deeply with traditional Japanese culture. Kanazawa offers many beginner-friendly locations where you can enjoy this hands-on activity. With advance reservations, you can participate with peace of mind. Here are some recommended spots to enjoy a jifuku experience in Kanazawa.
Ishikawa Local Products Center
Conveniently located at the base of the hill leading to Kenrokuen Garden, this facility offers a casual self-serving experience. In addition to making matcha, you can also try other traditional cultural activities, such as creating Japanese sweets or applying gold leaf.
Situated in a traditional machiya townhouse near Kenrokuen Garden, Sofuan offers a fun tea ceremony experience suitable for beginners and highly popular among international visitors. The session starts with enjoying tea prepared by the instructor, followed by an opportunity to whisk your own bowl of matcha. Participants will also learn tea room etiquette, such as how to enter the room, greet others, handle the tea bowl, and properly prepare matcha.
Hidden in a quiet alley near Higashi Chaya District, Wa no Jiku Machiya-juku provides a private tea ceremony experience. Here, you can rent an entire tea room and take your time learning the basics of tea ceremony while preparing your own matcha. This is a truly special opportunity to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.
Located in the Higashi Chaya District, Sado Soyu offers an experience that includes both koicha (thick tea) and usucha (thin tea). After enjoying koicha paired with Japanese sweets, participants can savor usucha with dry sweets while appreciating the spirit of the tea ceremony. This is a rare opportunity to try koicha, a rich and traditional style of matcha.
Gyokusen-en's Saisetsutei is Kanazawa's oldest tea house, said to have been instructed by the founder of the Urasenke tea school. Overlooking a beautiful garden, this tea house offers an elegant and serene atmosphere for your tea-making experience.
Located within Kanazawa's famous Kenrokuen Garden, Kenroku-tei is a historic site where feudal lords once entertained their esteemed guests. Visitors can watch a demonstration of tea preparation by the host before trying their hand at whisking their own matcha. The session also includes an explanation of the tea ceremony basics and tools.
Tea Ceremony Events in Kanazawa
Kanazawa is known as the "City of Tea Ceremony" for its deep-rooted culture of chanoyu (the way of tea). Even if you are not familiar with the tea ceremony, there are many tea gatherings held throughout the year in Kanazawa that anyone can participate in with ease. Why not spend a moment enjoying various styles of tea ceremony in traditional tea rooms and experience the spirit of Japan?
These events don’t require special clothing or tools, and anyone can join. While immersing yourself in Japan’s traditional culture, you can enjoy a luxurious time surrounded by Kanazawa's beautiful tea rooms.
※Note: The following information is current as of 2024, and events may change due to the organizers’ or venues’ schedules. Please check the official website for the latest updates.
Hyakumangoku Tea Ceremony
This tea ceremony is held annually in early June to commemorate the entry of Lord Toshiie MAEDA into Kanazawa Castle, as part of the Hyakumangoku Matsuri (Hyakumangoku Festival). The ceremony takes place at seven distinctive locations around the city and provides a great opportunity to connect with Kanazawa’s history and culture through tea.
Period: Early June, coinciding with the Hyakumangoku Festival
Locations: Former Entei Matsumuka-an, Former Takamine Family House (near Omicho Market), Kenrokuen Shigure-tei, Kanazawa Castle Gyokusen-an, Nakamura Memorial Museum Koun-an, Former Nakamura Residence, etc.
Details: [Link to details]
Held at Kanazawa Castle Park’s Gyokusen-an, the Hyakumansan Tea Ceremony is a fun and unique event for both adults and children. Attendees can take photos with Hyakumansan, the local mascot of Ishikawa Prefecture. It’s a family-friendly and enjoyable event for all ages.
Period: Early August
Location: Kanazawa Castle Park Gyokusen-an
Details: [Link to details]
National Student Grand Tea Ceremony
Held at captivating venues like the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and Kenrokuen, this event features students from university tea ceremony clubs from across Japan showcasing their practice and skills.
Period: Late August to early September
Locations: Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Shoto-an, Nakamura Memorial Museum Former Nakamura Residence & Koun-an, Kanazawa Castle Park Gyokusen-an, Kenrokuen Shigure-tei, Shiinoki Culture Complex, etc.
Details: [Link to details]
Kanazawa Castle & Kenrokuen Grand Tea Ceremony
Set against the stunning backdrop of Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen, the Kanazawa Castle & Kenrokuen Grand Tea Ceremony brings together 7 tea schools from Ishikawa Prefecture, with different schools presenting their tea ceremony styles each day. You can also encounter newly crafted tea utensils by local artists. This event offers a refined tea experience blending tradition and modernity.
Period: Early October
Locations: Kenrokuen Shigure-tei, Kanazawa Castle Park Gyokusen-an, Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Shoto-an, Nakamura Memorial Museum Former Nakamura Residence
Details: [Link to details]
Utatsuyama Tea Ceremony (Held Every Two Years)
The Utatsuyama Tea Ceremony held at the Utatsuyama Kogei Kobo（Craft Workshop） is a truly unique event where you can experience the fusion of craft and the tea ceremony—an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience.
At this event, you can hold and use beautiful, handcrafted tea utensils created by Ishikawa’s master artisans. These exquisite tea utensils, made using various techniques such as pottery, lacquerware, dyeing, metalwork, and glass, are works of art in themselves. You will have the rare opportunity to enjoy tea prepared with these beautiful tools, engaging all five senses. This is a truly unique tea ceremony experience. The event is held every two years, with the next one scheduled for 2025.
Period: Around December
Location: Utatsuyama Craft Workshop
Details: [Link to details]
These tea ceremonies are designed to be accessible to everyone, even if you have no prior experience with tea ceremonies. Whether you're curious about the different tea school styles or the proper etiquette in a tea room, no special preparation or tools are required. You can simply join with no more than casual attire. Feel free to visit, relax in the tranquil atmosphere, and immerse yourself in the tea culture of Kanazawa.
The History and Modern Vibrancy of Tea Culture in Kanazawa
Before the MAEDA Era（Edo Era)
One of the roots of Kanazawa's tea culture can be traced back to the Hatakeyama clan, who ruled the Noto Peninsula. Their patronage of the tea master Baisetsu MURAMAYA brought the refined culture of Kyoto, including tea ceremony practices, to the region. In 1581, Toshiie MAEDA, the first lord of the Kaga Domain, was granted control over Noto Province, marking the beginning of his deep involvement with tea culture.
1st Lord Toshiie MAEDA ~ Laying the Foundations of Kaga Hyakumangoku ~
In 1583, Toshiie MAEDA entered Kanazawa Castle. Known for his youthful flamboyance as a kabukimono (eccentric samurai), Toshiie later became a cultured ruler who loved tea ceremonies and Noh. He participated in and hosted tea gatherings, including the famous Kitano Grand Tea Ceremony. Toshiie's tea mentors included notable figures such as SEN no Rikyu and Oda Urakusai.
3rd Lord Toshitsune MAEDA ~ The Father of Kaga Culture ~
Toshitsune, a patron of the tea ceremony, invited Enshu KOBORI, a famous tea master of the Edo period, to Kaga. He also welcomed the son of Sowa KANAMORI, the founder of the Sowa school of tea, and SENSO Soshitsu, the ancestor of the Urasenke tea school. Senso frequently traveled between Kyoto and Kanazawa, serving the Kaga Domain until the reign of the fifth lord.
Toshitsune also transformed the castle’s repair workshops (Osauikusho) into a production center for exquisite daimyo furnishings, bringing in master artisans from Kyoto and Edo（Tokyo）. This initiative established Kanazawa as a leading center of craftsmanship, rivaling Kyoto and Edo in its artistic output.
5th Lord Tsunanori MAEDA~ The Golden Age of Kaga Culture ~
In 1666, SENSO Soshitsu brought Haji Chozayemon, a master ceramicist who had trained under Raku Ichinyu in Kyoto, to Kanazawa. Chozayemon was granted land in Ohi Village and began producing the renowned Ohi-yaki pottery. SENSO also recommended the iron craftsman Kanchi MIYAZAKI, who became a prominent kettle maker for the domain. With the Maeda family's support, the production of tea utensils flourished, marking a period of cultural maturity in Kanazawa.
From the Meiji Era to Modern Times ~ Preserving the Spirit of Tea Culture ~
Although the abolition of the feudal domain system during the Meiji period caused a decline in the tea culture once protected by the Kaga Domain, efforts to preserve it persisted. Prominent tea masters, including the 11th Urasenke Grand Master Gengensai and the 11th Omotesenke Grand Master Rokusosai, visited Kanazawa, fostering ties with local tea practitioners.
During this time, samurai families began to sell off their treasured tea utensils, but many were acquired by Kanazawa’s tea enthusiasts. Notable collectors like Kaoru INOUE and Soho TAKAHASHI, as well as cultural figures like Korekiyo TAKAHASHI, visited Kanazawa to admire and preserve these treasures, ensuring that the spirit of tea culture endured.
Modern Kanazawa ~ Evolving and Thriving Tea Culture ~
Today, Kanazawa is recognized as one of Japan’s leading centers of tea culture. The city boasts the highest number of tea schools in Japan (according to the 2014 Economic Census) and the highest consumption of traditional Japanese sweets (2023 Household Survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications). Ishikawa Prefecture also leads the nation in the number of Living National Treasures in the craft category, underscoring its rich cultural heritage.
Kanazawa’s thriving craft industries, such as lacquerware (Kanazawa Shikki), Wajima-nuri（lacquerware), Kutani-yaki ceramics, and Kaga Yuzen dyeing, are supported by institutions like the Kanazawa College of Art and the Utatsuyama Craft Workshop. These educational and training centers attract young artists from across Japan, fostering a vibrant and innovative creative environment.
