City of Tea and Wagashi

Thanks to Lord Matsudaira Harusato (a.k.a. Fumai)’s passion for the tea ceremony, Matsue is rich in tea culture, and home to one of the three largest tea gatherings in Japan [See our Calendar]. Although the tea ceremony is very popular here, you can casually enjoy matcha (powdered green tea) at many shops and restaurants throughout the city, as well as at historic tea houses like Meimei-an and Kangetsu-an or in Gessho-ji Temple.

Matcha is traditionally accompanied by wagashi (Japanese sweets). Today, along with Kyoto and Kanazawa, Matsue is one of the three most famous producers of wagashi, and many visitors enjoy the original sweets crafted by local masters, or try their hand at making them themselves at workshops. Please find more information in Enjoy Matsue, and watch this video for more about Matsue’s tea and wagashi culture.