When we visited Kakegawa Castle while our trip to Shizuoka, we visited their Japanese Tea Room on the premises. Kakegawa Castle was originally built about 500 years ago. However, most of the castle was destroyed in the big earthquake of 1854. It was rebuilt in 1944, and it was the first castle Japan to be rebuilt with wood. Ninomaru Tea Room was also built with wood, in 2002, one story, traditional house.
The Tea Room is sitting right by the Kakegawa Castle Tower, you have a beautiful view of the tower from there. Blue sky, green grass and trees, and the castle, perfect scenery for an afternoon tea.
Admission ticket to enter the tea room can be purchased when at the Kakegawa Castle entrance, which we did. It is free to walk around the garden, but in order to get inside the Ninomaru Tea Room, you need have the ticket (510 yen).
When we entered, staffs greeted us with smile and took us in. You must take your shoes off before you go inside the house. In the first room right by the entryway, they had wooden molds for Japanese confectioneries. I have never seen them before, as they are not commonly used or sold in regular stores. Cherry tree is used for making these molds, as they are very strong and tough.
They had all kinds of molds, all very interesting, detailed and skillfully made. They had some animals like cats, dogs, rabbits, foxes and more. They also had things like a ship, a flower, and a fan.
They had this cute little guy, looks just like the Kewpie baby character of Japanese mayonnaise company. As the molds are made in the way that you can create 3D confectionery, they have front and back side. This cute baby had front and back too, cute little butt!
With these molds, you can make these beautiful confectioneries with detailed design. Impressive!
The main tea room is in the back, with large windows that overlooks their peaceful garden. It is such a beautiful setting with the greenery outside against red carpet. When we got in, there was one couple in there, finishing out their tea and wagashi sweets.
The space was large, but after the couple left, we got to have the space all for ourselves, so nice! It was a really relaxing atmosphere. The windows are all around the room, so that the view of the garden can be enjoyed from any and all seats.
In the middle of the room was where the tea is made, it is quite interesting to be at a real Japanese tea ceremony to see them work. We were not here for any kind of tea ceremony event, so that was not done in front of us, but we still got to taste their tea and sweets.
We were all given a Japanese confectionery of a purple flower. We waited to have the sweets until we got the tea so that we can enjoy them both fully, as they are supposed to balance each other.
Shortly after, a lady came with Sencha. I was expecting a traditional matcha, so I was a bit surprised. When the lady pours the cup of tea and place it in front of you, they bows to show respect. At that time, you need to bow back to her to show her respect as well.
Now our tea was complete! Since the Sencha is poured into a small tea cup, she left the pot for us with reminder tea inside.
We got different tea cups, all very pretty with birds design on it. Sencha is a type of Japanese green tea which is prepared by infusing the tea leaves in hot water. They use local Kakegawa tea, and their sencha is deeply steamed (Fukamushi) sencha, Therefore, the color is bit darker, bit golden.
Japanese confectionery is handmade, and had sweet bean paste in the inside. It was really rich, dense, velvety, and very delicious. Its sweetness went perfect with the bitter tea.
After we took our time enjoying the tea, we walked around its garden and relaxed some more. It was such as treat during our visit to the castle. While taking in its history and detailed reconstruction and architecture of it, it is good to have a little down time to take it all in. And, having a delicious tea and wagashi can certainly help you do that!
Ninomaru Tea Room @ Kakegawa Castle – 1138-24 Kakegawa, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka, Japan
二の丸茶室 @ 掛川城 – 静岡県掛川市掛川1138-24