Kanrantei Tea House
観瀾亭
“A relaxing experience of watching the waves of the bay while enjoying matcha and seasonal sweets.”
– Siiri Vappula
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Historical Background
Historical Background
"A place to view ripples on the water"
Kanrantei is an old samurai teahouse, its history going way back to the Momoyama period. It is said to have first been built in Kyoto over 400 years ago by Toyotomi-Hideyoshi, as part of his Fushimi castle, but was later given to Date-Masamune, the feudal lord of Sendai. Masamune further gave it to his son, who moved the tea house to its current location, careful that "no pillar nor stone was altered in the process."
The Date family used Kanrantei as a guest house for Date Masamune's wives, and entertained important visitors with the scenery it offered. The name of the house means "A place to view ripples on the water". It was used as a place to view not just the water but the moon, too. Today, every fall during the harvest moon in September, special moon-viewing events are still organized, with longer evening opening hours.
Kanrantei received the status of Prefectural Cultural Property in Miyagi prefecture on the 3rd of March, 1953.
Characteristics
Characteristics
The tea house is built with the architectural style of Shoin zukuri, which was typical for Momoyama period. With two rooms, both the size of 18 tatami mats the house is spacious, surrounded by a single corridor around them.
The Fusuma (sliding doors) were designed to be brilliant and dignified according to the building lords' wishes. They still have paintings made of actual gold leaf, and are recognized as an important cultural property.
Behind a tea house, you can find Matsushima museum, holding historic objects related to the Date family and the bay, such as armor, battle flags and maps. Entry to the museum is included in the price of the admission ticket.
To Know More
To Know More
Matsushima Kids guide - Tour of The Tea House by 松島町チャンネル (English with subtitles)
Quick look inside the tea house by Planetyze - Japan Best Spots Travel Guide (instrumental music only)
Visiting Kanrantei by concono_min1205 (Japanese only)
Kanrantei featured in a Tour of Matsushima bay by Virtual Tohoku Japan (English version)
Go visit the Kanrantei!
Go visit the Kanrantei!
With a small entrance fee of 200 yen (150 for students) you can visit the tea house and Matsushima museum located at the site. You can also purchase a matcha set before you go in and enjoy tea with seasonal sweets or as it is.
Opening hours of the tea room:
April to october 8.30 AM–5 PM
November to march 8.30 AM–4.30 PM
Matcha available:
April to october 9 AM–4 PM
November to march 9 AM–3.30 PM
drinking tea with a view of Matsushima bay
How to get there?
How to get there?
Kanrantei is located in Matsushima town in Miyagi prefecture. The easiest way to get there is to take the Senseki train line from Sendai station directly to Matsushimakaigan station (40 minutes), and walk for about 5 minutes.
address:
〒981-0213 Miyagi, Miyagi District, Matsushima, Chōnai−56
Direct voice from Siiri Vappula
Direct voice from Siiri Vappula
"I visited The Tea House at the end of june 2025. My itinerary was packed, as Matsushima is full of beautiful places, but I am glad I managed to make time for Kanrantei. It was a relaxing experience of watching the waves of the bay while enjoying tea and seasonal sweets. The matcha was more bitter than I was used to but it had a smooth texture and rich taste, which the small selection of different types of wagashi complimented perfectly. I had a plate with three different types, one with zunda paste, Miyagi speciality. Afterwards I visited the small museum behind the tea house, which had most of its information in Japanese, but I enjoyed the atmosphere and the artifacts. I was so happy I got to enjoy this place, its history and the views at the end of my day trip."
All Photos Taken By Siiri Vappula
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