A Traditional Japanese Tea House at the Foot of Kinkazan, Gifu

Gifu Park, situated at the base of Kinkazan, is definitely a must-visit for every traveler in Gifu City. It appears to me as a one-stop place for learning Japanese culture and history as well as for resting and relaxation. From the rope way station in Gifu Park, you take the gondola to the top of the mountain to visit Gifu Castle. At the entrance of the park, you can also find Gifu City Museum where the histories of the town and castle are thoroughly explained and old artifacts such as armors, swords and ancient potteries are exhibited. See this post for a detailed review of my trip to Gifu Park and its surrounding area.

Another place of interest in Gifu Park is a traditional Japanese tea house where you can enjoy a set of freshly made green tea and wagashi (a kind of Japanese sweets served with green tea) for an affordable price of only Y400.

Entrance to the tea house

View from the window

Upon paying at the entrance, you will be directed to a tea room on the right side of the counter. The tea room is not that "traditional" as I expected. The floor is not made of tatami so you don't have to remove your shoes or sit on the floor. There are wooden benches lining the walls, the top of which are made of tatami. There are low wooden tables in front of the benches where the tea and wagashi are served. I suppose this is the room where "visitors" who just want to relax and have tea are directed. However, I think there are other rooms in the tea house where more traditional tea ceremonies are being conducted. On my way out, I bumped into old women in their kimonos, geared for the real thing, entering the tea house.

After a few minutes of waiting, an old lady brought out my tea and wagashi. Even though this is not a full blown tea ceremony, the lady still observed the etiquette of serving tea. She gently placed the plate of wagashi on the table, then she turned the tea cup twice counterclockwise so that the front of the cup would face when I receive it.

The interior

Green tea and wagashi set

It is ideal to visit the tea house after a tiring hike to Gifu Castle on top of the mountain. You can just sit and drink tea while looking at the view of the garden from the large windows.