In Matsue, a bowl of matcha can open a window onto a tradition the city has carried since the Edo period. Matsudaira Harusato, known as Fumai, was a noted tea master whose influence remains visible in local teahouses, sweets and gardens. For visitors, the practical choice is between Meimei-an’s historic architecture and the quiet garden setting at Café Kiharu inside the history museum.
Meimei-an was built at Fumai’s request in 1779 and moved to Kitahoricho in 1966. Its thatched roof and intimate scale invite a pause before the tea is served. General admission is ¥600 for adults; matcha and wagashi cost extra. That distinction matters when comparing budgets and makes clear that this is not an everyday café visit.
Kiharu offers another kind of break: tatami, tables and an Izumo-style garden viewed from the museum café. Its official menu lists matcha with seasonal wagashi and a hands-on set in which guests whisk their own tea. The café can be visited without paying for the exhibitions. One old promise no longer applies: wagashi master Tsugio Itami has retired, so visitors should not expect a live demonstration.
Visitor feedback praises the garden, matcha and calm atmosphere at both places, although some Meimei-an guests describe rushed service when groups arrive, while Kiharu is better understood as a light pause than a meal. Choose Meimei-an for Fumai’s history and the ritual of a pavilion; choose Kiharu for a sweet, a green view and flexible access without a museum ticket. Both sit near the castle and fit a walk through the former samurai district. Check seasonal hours and current prices before setting out.
Profiles of the recommended places: Meimei-an Tea House · Café Kiharu
Meimei-an offers a meeting with Fumai’s tea culture in a historic house, with admission and tea service charged separately. Kiharu makes it easy to stop for matcha and wagashi beside a garden, even without visiting the galleries. Choose according to your interest in tea ritual, budget and walking route.
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Meimei-an offers a close look at one chapter of Matsue’s tea culture. The house was built in 1779 at the request of Matsudaira Harusato, known as Fumai, the domain lord and a student of the tea ceremony. Its thatched roof, restrained proportions and garden make the visit feel like a cultural pause r
General admission and matcha service are charged separately.
Café Kiharu occupies a quiet room inside the Matsue History Museum, with tatami seating, tables and a view of an Izumo-style garden. The museum covers local culture and castle history, but the café has a useful advantage: Shimane’s official tourism page says visitors can reach it without paying the
The café can be visited without an admission ticket to the museum galleries.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Meimei-an Tea House ↗
Primary source
Matsue City · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Meimei-an Tea House ↗
Primary source
Visit Matsue · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Meimei-an Tea House ↗
Primary source
Visit Matsue · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Café Kiharu ↗
Primary source
Café Kiharu · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Café Kiharu ↗
Primary source
Café Kiharu · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Café Kiharu ↗
Primary source
Shimane Tourism · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Café Kiharu ↗
Primary source
Café Kiharu · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Visit Matsue · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Visit Matsue · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Meimei-an review listing ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Exact venue review summary used for visitor feedback and Google listing data.
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Café Kiharu review listing ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 12, 2026
Exact venue review summary used for visitor feedback and Google listing data.