Tea rooms, kimonos, houseboats, and even ninjas! 4 spots to experience Japanese culture in Minato-ku

Posted : April 26, 2023 at 10:22 PM

Translated from Japanese by

In Minato City, there are spots where you can visit as a tourist and experience authentic Japanese culture. There are various types of experiences such as tea ceremony, kimono, yakatabune (houseboat), and ninja. In this issue, we will introduce some of the best places to experience Japanese culture in Minato City.

Experience a tea ceremony room in a Japanese garden while listening to the murmuring of a stream

Yumean in Happoen where you can experience the tea room

Happoen in Shirokanedai offers an authentic tea ceremony experience in a tea room in a Japanese garden. The garden is located in a corner of a circular garden centering on a pond, and there is a historic teahouse called "Yumean" where you can enjoy matcha green tea and sweets in a tea ceremony room with standing seating. It is a rare opportunity to experience a tea ceremony in a Japanese garden, not in a building or an apartment. It is also a great place to visit in conjunction with a stroll through the garden.

You can enjoy matcha and sweets in the tea room.

Yumean was built in the Meiji period (1868-1912) by Heihachi Tanaka, a Yokohama silk trader, and moved to Happoen. Located in a garden where visitors can experience the changing seasons, the building is a hermitage of traditional beauty built with the best of Japanese architecture. Visitors to the teahouse experience can enjoy matcha green tea and sweets while listening to the murmuring of a clear stream and enjoying a relaxing moment.

Many visitors from overseas come to experience the tea ceremony room, and the experience is well received as an opportunity to experience Japanese culture in a relaxed atmosphere. One visitor commented, ""Even though it was in the city, the rich natural setting made the experience feel like being in a different space. Enjoy a tea ceremony that will give you a taste of the heart of Japan.

●Outline of the event
Period：Saturday, Sunday and Monday only
Hours: 11:00-15:00
Fee: 1,100 yen per person (tax included)
Reservations are not accepted. Please stop by on the day.
Inquiries: Tsuchu-an TEL: 03-3441-8888 (Hours: 10:00-19:00)

Happoen
1-1-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://www.happo-en.com

Happo-en

The garden, created by making use of natural shapes as much as possible, boasts an area of about 10,000 tsubo (or 33,000 square meters). It includes a chapel, a temple, and a banquet hall, so it can be used for weddings or any other kind of reception. The "garden walk" is a set plan that is especially popular with middle aged and elderly guests. Visitors can also enjoy exploring the garden, preparing tea in the tea room, casual French cuisine at Thrush Cafe, and Japanese cuisine at Kaiju.

Kimono experience of a higher grade in quality service and space

KIMONO QUEEN offers kimono experience services at two locations in Minato-ku. There are stores in Roppongi Hills and ANA Continental Hotel Tokyo, both adjacent to the hotels, where you can try on kimonos without getting wet even in the rain. Kimono rentals, dressing, and hair-set services are available at these locations, which have excellent access to two or more train lines. Most of the kimonos are made of pure silk, and you can select the one you like best. There is a full lineup of kimonos from gorgeous antique furisode (kimono with gorgeous antique patterns), modern and chic furisode (kimono with chic patterns), pongee (silk), and komon (small patterned kimono) for a wide range of ages and tastes, as well as men's and children's kimonos. Men's and children's wear is also available, making it a family affair.

People who used it * There is currently no experience at this place

A foreign tourist who actually experienced this activity with his family of five said, "We were able to choose from a wide selection of kimonos. My son still says it is his favorite activity in Tokyo. The kimono experience can also be combined with a Japanese cultural experience as an option. This includes one of the following: tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy, dyeing, knob-weaving, or Japanese dance.

●Kimono Experience Plan
Includes: Kimono rental, dressing, simple hair set
Experience time: approximately 75 minutes
Price: Women 33,000 yen, Men 22,000 yen, Children (3-6 years old) 16,500 yen (all incl. tax)
Option: 45-minute Japanese culture experience (tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy, dyeing, tsumazaiku, or traditional Japanese dance): Adults from 15,400 yen, children (3-6) from 5,500 yen (all incl. tax)
Reservations required; minimum of 2 people for Japanese culture experience.
Reservations: TEL 03-6271-5531, メールinfo@kimonoqueen.tokyo

KIMONO QUEEN Roppongi Hills Store
6-10-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Roppongi Hills West Walk 4F

KIMONO QUEEN ANA Intercontinental Hotel Tokyo
1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
ANA InterContinental Hotel Tokyo 2F
https://kimonoqueen.tokyo/

Enjoy the night view of Tokyo Bay and freshly fried tempura on a houseboat

Ship's houseboat passing under the Rainbow Bridge

The yakatabune offers a Japanese-style cruise experience in Tokyo Bay with the Edo atmosphere intact. With Funakiyo, you can enjoy the evolving Tokyo in a relaxed atmosphere while experiencing the traditions of the yakatabune indoors. The basic excursion course (shared boat) is a 2-hour, 45-minute tour of Sky Tree and Odaiba. The route departs from Shinagawa, stops at the Sumida River and Sakurabashi Bridge for a view of the Sky Tree, docks at Odaiba, and returns to Shinagawa via the Rainbow Bridge. It is a golden route that offers a taste of Tokyo's attractions from the sea.

A semi-private room where you can enjoy the night view in Japanese style

Midorifune 12,000 yen (tax included) includes all-you-can-drink

Funakiyo offers yakatabune for charter not only for groups, but also for two persons or more. There are two types of kotatsu (sunken kotatsu) and chairs, both of which allow you to put your feet down, making it safe even for foreigners, and semi-private rooms are available for couples, friends, and families to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable time together.

The menu changes from summer to winter, but both menus offer tempura and natural tuna sashimi. The menu includes an all-you-can-drink option, so adults are also satisfied. A children's menu and an optional celebration cake are also available. You can fully enjoy Japanese culture even at the meal.

●Funakiyo Shared Boat Plan (from 2 persons)
Content: Sky Tree and Odaiba Course (Hanami Course is also available during Hanami season)
Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Price: Includes meals and all-you-can-drink Adults (high school students and older): 12,000 yen and up (tax included), Junior high school students: 9,600 yen and up (tax included), Elementary school students: 8,400 yen and up (tax included), Preschool children: 4,800 yen (tax included), 0 to 2-year-old children per group free (no meals), 1,200 yen boarding fee per person from 2 people (tax included)
Reservations: TEL 03-5479-2731 (10:00-19:00)
*Fees start on June 1, 2023.

Funakiyo
Funakiyo Building, 1-16-8 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
https://www.funasei.com/course/

Japanese-style houseboat/cruise boat Funasei

Japanese-style houseboats ooze Japanese culture, but have seating throughout the boat in both a sunken kotatsu-style or chair-style. No matter which boat you choose, you can sit down and stretch out your legs. The observation deck also stretches the length of the boat, allowing you to enjoy a 360-degree view of Tokyo. In addition to group reservation for the whole boat, there are also small houseboats that run just for two people. Both are reservation-only. Please see the website for details!

Ninja experience wearing ninja costumes, shuriken, etc.

The ninja experience takes place in the dojo

Ninja is one of the most attractive contents for those who feel admiration for Japanese culture. The Musashi Clan in Shiba Park offers a ninja experience in a dojo decorated with handmade weapons and artifacts. Visitors can wear optional ninja costumes, learn about ninja history and culture, and then experience shuriken and other ninja techniques. It is well known for its authentic ninja experience using weapons.

For foreigners, English interpretation is provided.

Since it comes with an English translation, even travelers from overseas can enjoy the ninja experience. The experience has been well received as a way to become a ninja that one has only seen in manga, and some visitors have even commented, "It was something different from the activities at tourist spots. Some people have even said, "If you like or are interested in Japanese culture, you should experience this once in your lifetime. If you are interested in experiencing the world of the ninja, please give it a try.

●Experience Plan
Ninja experience: 90 minutes with English interpretation, 16,500 yen (tax included)
Samurai Experience: 90 min. with English interpretation 16,500 yen (tax included)
Ninja Samurai Experience: 90 min. with English interpretation Adult 25,000 yen (tax included)
Reservations: TEL 090-3691-8165 メールoffice@musashi.ninja

Musashi Clan
B413, Kikai Shinko Kaikan, 3-5-8 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo
https://musashi.ninja/

The classroom where the ninja teaches Edo covert Musashi clan

Today. My name is Suzaku of Musashi clan. We believe that the history of the clan is the most important of the 265 years that served the Edo shogunate. My grandfather stopped doing the work of shadow 100 years ago. However, the culture of the secret crowd is passed on to the father, and it is inherited now. The Shinobi culture embodies the thought of "The sky", and there is a lot of wisdom which can be used in modern times. I would like to introduce you to such skills and knowledge. Shibata Suzaku

All of the Japanese cultural experience spots in Minato Ward were things that you can try in an authentic way. If you are in Japan and want to create once-in-a-lifetime memories, why not visit one of these places?

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