Meimei-an Tea House – 明々庵

Just off Shiomi Nawate Street, standing on a low hill with a superb view of the castle, you can find Meimei-an Tea House. Commissioned in 1779 by Lord Fumai, the 7th Lord of Matsue Castle and a noted patron of the tea ceremony, the tea house was tended to for many years by one of his closest retainers. Moved to its present site in 1966 on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the lord’s death, Meimei-an is renowned for its characteristic thickly thatched roof. Tea and wagashi (Japanese confectionary) are served in the adjoining tea room, Hyakuso-tei.

Admission fee	¥600 tea and wagashi serving ¥600
Hours	Open 7 days a week Apr - Sep, 9:00 - 18:00 (Reception until 17:40) (Tea is served from 9:50 - 16:30) Oct - Mar, 9:00 - 17:00 (Reception until 16:40) (Tea is served from 9:50 - 16:00)
URL	http://www.meimeian.jp/ (Japanese)
Tel	0852-21-9863
Access	Entering Shiomi Nawate Street from the castle and history museum direction, take the third road on the right and continue for 50 metres until you come to a steep staircase on the left. From Lakeline bus stop 10, walk back toward the castle direction along Shiomi Nawate Street, taking the first road opening to the left after the samurai residence (buke yashiki). Continue for 50 metres until you come to a steep staircase on the left.