For the guests who really wanna try authentic Japanese culture here in Matsumoto, it is a neat idea to join a tea ceremony at Ikegami Hyakuchiki tei just right behind Matsumoto castle.  This rather small tea house was built about 100 years ago by a wealthy intellectual merchant, Kisaku Ikegami.  He intended to have a cultural center to enjoy haiku (poetry) and other fine arts with his friends in authentic Japanese traditional settings.

The first Sunday in every month until December, there will be a tea ceremony at this old tea house which everybody can join without reservations.  (Don’t need to specially dress-up for this ceremony)

Venue: Ikegami Hyakuchikutei (north side of  Matumoto Castle, right next to Matsumoto courthouse, near Matsumoto Shrine)

Date:   April  7th Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 / May 5th Sunday from 10:00~ 14:00

Charge:  500 yen / person (tea and small confectionery)