Zensouan Rest House 漸草庵 百代の過客

An elegant tea house rest stop

Zensouan is probably the most elegant rest stop I've ever seen in Japan. The sukiya tea house architecture is soothing with its low-slung eaves, meandering walk, and spacious rooms. The tea house serves green tea but you can simply walk in and have a seat for a while as it is a "yasumi dokoro", a rest spot. In the front garden, you'll see a ladle resting on a stone basin. Lean in close to the pebbles in the hollow below and you'll hear the tinkle of water drops falling in the jar buried below. The city's website indicates for nominal fees, residents and non-residents alike can rent the tea rooms for traditional arts like tea, dance, and music.