Nagano Prefecture abounds in classic traditional tea houses. Many are available to the public to rent for practicing the Japanese tea ceremony. Here are a few of Nagano’s most notable ‘chashitsu’ tea house.

Hyakuchiku-tei in Matsumoto

On the north side of Matsumoto Castle is a house that belonged to the Ikegami family. As wealthy merchants, they built the house and formal garden to entertain their close friends. Called the Hyakuchiku-tei meaning Hundred Bamboo House, the traditional abode has hosted many famous intellectuals. Now owned by the city and taken care of by the local citizens, the Ikegami Hyakuchiku-tei is available to be rented by the public. The quiet location is a calm oasis in the center of the city, and is perfect for practicing the traditional tea ceremony.

http://www.hyakuchikutei.jp/history.html

Mushin-an in Nagano

Another tea house is located in the Patio Daimon complex of traditional wooden and earthen-walled buildings near the entrance to Nagano City’s venerable Zenkoji Temple. Called Mushin-an, the unusual two-story tea house was built by the Miyashita family, local merchants, and has a history dating back to the Edo period. Similar to Hyakuchiku-tei, this tea house can also be rented by the day and is suitable for tea ceremony or ikebana flower-arranging practice.

Nearby is a store that specializes in tea-related pottery and ceramics as well as all the various utensils used in the tea ceremony. Called Sukiya Naito, they also offer matcha tea making lessons and with advance reservations demonstrate the formal tea ceremony.

Tea Sweets Shop in Matsumoto

One must-have item for the tea ceremony is wagashi, the sweet Japanese confections that complement the bitter matcha tea. One of the most famous tea sweets maker in the prefecture is Kaiundo, and they have a secluded tea shop in central Matsumoto, just north of the afore-mentioned Hyakuchiku-tei. Named Shofu-an, it is an ideal place to have a bowl of tea and a piece of sweet overlooking a nice Japanese garden. Pictures are not allowed and the request guests to enjoy spending time there in quiet.

If you do go to Shofu-an, one block to the west is the Old Kaichi Elementary School. It has just been designated a national cultural asset in September 2019 and is well-worth a visit.