Kitakamakura Houan (tea room)

About

Houan is a traditional tea house built in 1934 in the forested valley behind Jochiji Temple in Kita-Kamakura. It features a building with two tea rooms (Jouan-ken)—one 8-mat and one 4-mat room, and the world's smallest tea house, the thatched-roof Musouan, measuring just under 2 mats. It is normally closed to the public, but just once a month, a tea house opens its doors to serve matcha and high-grade sweets to visitors freely touring the premises (reservation required). Information about various tea gatherings, introductory sessions for beginners, and traditional Japanese arts classes is posted on the official website and social media. They also accommodate inquiries for small-group tea ceremony experiences and tea gatherings for international visitors.