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Tea Room ／ Fukuoka
Shōfū-an
しょうふうあん
A tea room on the former estate of the founder of the Fukuoka Tamaya department store, built with craftsmen and materials brought from Kyoto — and still usable today.
Shōfūen is a Japanese garden laid out on the site of Shōfū-sō, the residence of Tanakamaru Zenpachi, founder of the Fukuoka Tamaya department store, and opened to the public in fiscal 2007. It includes a tea house built between 1945 and 1954 (Shōwa 20s), and Shōfū-an, the Tanakamaru family's favourite tea room that gave the garden its name, is preserved as it was.
Shōfū-an was built with materials and sukiya carpenters brought from Kyoto; opening its shoji reveals the garden. There is the small room Shōfū-an and a larger room, and a new annex has two 8-mat rooms.
The garden, designed to evoke Suruga Bay and Mount Fuji, features a Japanese maple over 100 years old and a rare lantern shaped like a natsume tea caddy. With a roji path, open-air tea area, arbour, waiting bench and tsukubai basin, it serves as a venue for tea and other cultural activities. Matcha is served for a fee.
GalleryGallery
Classes and events in the tea roomsClasses and events in the tea rooms
Under an Agency for Cultural Affairs programme, a children's tea class for ages 10–15 (grades 5–9) runs over eight sessions (10 places, ¥15,000 plus admission). It covers manners in a tatami room, making usucha and receiving it formally, and ends with a tea gathering. Apply by phone (092-524-8264).
The garden serves a matcha set with seasonal dry sweets, and in summer an iced matcha for a limited period (both ¥700). Events such as the 'Shōfūen Yose' storytelling show with professional rakugo performers (¥1,500 including admission and matcha) are also held.
How to experience itVisit & use
A matcha set (¥700) is served in the garden. Shōfū-an (small and large rooms) can be rented: bookings open two months ahead, first come first served—check availability by phone, then submit the application form.
Book / apply
Book the tea room（official page） ↗Book the tea room for Shōfū-an through the site's official page. Please check availability and conditions there.
Visitor informationInformation
| Address | 3-28 Hirao, Chūō-ku, Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00–17:00 |
| Closed | Tuesdays (next day if a holiday), Dec 29–Jan 1 |
| Admission | Admission ¥100 adults, ¥50 junior-high age and under; matcha set ¥700 |
| Access | 20 min walk from Yakuin-ōdōri Station (subway); 25 min from Nishitetsu Yakuin or Hirao Station |
Tea Room
Interior
Garden
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