I'd only ever seen it on TV, so I'm glad I got to have such a precious experience. The pleasant scent of tatami filled the air, and I could take it in calmly. Indeed, I think it's the perfect space for secret talks. It was like a simulated experience of being a samurai warlord.

This time I went to “Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum” and bought the four-venue combo ticket right away for a complete experience in one go — very worth it. The content includes a VR experience, a display of tea rooms designed by Sen no Rikyu, a guided exhibition tour, and finally a tea, sweets, and tea ceremony experience. The overall flow is smooth, with no sense of pressure or rushing. The most impressive part was the recreated space of Sen no Rikyu's tea room. Even though it's a replica, you can feel an extremely restrained and unpretentious atmosphere, and people naturally quiet down inside. That atmosphere of “emptiness” and “simplicity” is hard to describe in words. The staff were very friendly overall; whether about the route, the exhibition content, or tea ceremony questions, they explained patiently, with no sense of distance. The tea and sweets experience at the end was also very profound. A tea ceremony teacher personally demonstrated and explained — it wasn't just “eating sweets,” but let you actually understand the spirit and details behind the tea ceremony, and you could freely ask questions during the process. Overall it took about 1.5 hours to go through all four parts. For people unfamiliar with Japanese tea ceremony, it's a very good way to get started; it not only adds to your knowledge but also gives you a deeper appreciation of the relationship between “tea” and space. If you're a traveler from Taiwan, I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary. ⸻ This time I visited “Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum,” bought the 4-venue common ticket and experienced everything, and it was very worthwhile. The content includes a VR experience, an exhibition of tea rooms designed by Sen no Rikyu, a tour of the exhibits in the museum, and finally Japanese sweets and a tea ceremony experience. The overall flow is smooth, and you don't feel rushed. What left a particular impression was the reconstructed space of Rikyu's tea room. Although it's a restoration, it has a very simple and quiet air, and when you step inside your mind naturally settles. I thought it was a space where you can physically experience “wabi” and “empty space.” The staff were also very kind and answered questions about the exhibits and tea ceremony politely, so you can tour with peace of mind. In the tea and sweets experience at the end, a tea ceremony teacher explained while actually preparing the tea, so it became not just a tasting but a time to understand the background and meaning of the tea ceremony. The atmosphere also makes it easy to ask questions freely. In total you can go through the 4 parts in about an hour and a half, and it's a very good introduction even for those not familiar with Japanese tea ceremony. It's a place I'd definitely like to recommend to travelers from Taiwan as well. ⸻ I visited “Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum” and purchased the full 4-section ticket, which I found to be very worthwhile. The experience includes a VR program, exhibitions of tea rooms designed by Sen no Rikyu, gallery displays, and a final tea and sweets experience. The flow is smooth and relaxed, without any sense of being rushed. The most impressive part for me was the reconstructed tea room by Sen no Rikyu. Even as a replica, it carries a strong sense of simplicity and quietness. Being inside the space naturally brings a feeling of calm. It’s something that is difficult to describe in words. The staff were very kind and approachable. They were happy to answer any questions about the exhibitions or tea ceremony, making the visit comfortable and engaging. The tea experience at the end was especially meaningful. A tea master personally demonstrated and explained the process, allowing visitors to understand the deeper spirit behind the tea ceremony rather than just tasting sweets. Questions are welcome throughout. The full experience takes about 1.5 hours, and it’s a great introduction for anyone unfamiliar with Japanese tea culture. You not only gain knowledge, but also a deeper appreciation of the relationship between tea and space. Highly recommended, especially for visitors from Taiwan.

It's on the 1st floor of Sakai Rishō no Mori, and you can learn about Sen no Rikyū's life and achievements. I was such a novice that I didn't even know Sen no Rikyū was born and raised in Sakai, but I enjoyed it quite a lot. The panels also have simple quizzes related to Sen no Rikyū, so even elementary school-age kids would probably enjoy it (I have photosensitivity, and the screens were too bright compared to the darkness inside, so I couldn't really look at them...). On the same floor there's also a place where you can have tea and Japanese sweets, so I plan to visit again.

This is the 1st floor of Sakai Rishō no Mori. Here you'll find Sakai Taian (a replica/reconstruction of the national treasure Myōki-an (Taian), one of Japan's Three Great Tea Rooms, which Sen no Rikyū built for Hideyoshi inside Yamazaki Castle after Nobunaga's death) and Muichi-an (a tea room reconstructing the four-and-a-half-mat room said to have been made by Rikyū for the Kitano Grand Tea Ceremony held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi)😄. The garden landscaped around Sakai Taian and Muichi-an is also a highlight👍. On Tuesdays and Fridays only, the “Sakai Taian Tour” is held, where you can enter the tea rooms “Sakai Taian” and “Muichi-an,” which are normally off-limits, and hear detailed explanations from a guide😆, and then you can enjoy tea (usucha, thin tea) and sweets at Muichi-an.

An exhibition facility inside Sakai Rishō no Mori where you can trace the life of Sen no Rikyū. Excavated tea bowls are displayed in beautiful condition.