\uff3bContents\uff3d<\/h2>\n\n- Discover Sen no Rikyu\u2019s Tea Ceremony and Medieval Sakai: Welcome to the Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum<\/a><\/li>\n
- Yosano Akiko’s Passion and Literature of : Yosano Akiko Memorial Museum<\/a><\/li>\n
- Casual Tea Ceremony Experience for Everyone: Learn about Japanese Culture at a Ryurei Tea Ceremony<\/a><\/li>\n
- Start your Sakai Adventure Here: Sakai Station Tourist Information Center & Bike Rental Tips<\/a><\/li>\n
- Connecting Sakai\u2019s Past and Present: Check out the Gosen-in Stamp Project<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
Discover Sen no Rikyu\u2019s Tea Ceremony and Medieval Sakai: Welcome to the Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum<\/h2>\n
![\"sen](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img01.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko is a museum dedicated to two historical figures associated with Sakai: Sen no Rikyu and Yosano Akiko. Through their lives, you can experience the history and charm of Sakai.<\/p>\n
The Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum is located on the first floor, so let\u2019s start there. But first, I want to share some Sen no Rikyu trivia:<\/p>\n
\n- Sen no Rikyu (1522\u20131591) perfected the Japanese tea ceremony.<\/li>\n
- Born into a merchant family in Sakai, he became familiar with tea culture from a young age.<\/li>\n
- He served Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was called \u201cthe greatest master of tea.\u201d<\/li>\n
- He eventually fell out with Hideyoshi and was ordered to commit seppuku.<\/li>\n
- His tea ceremony philosophy was passed down through schools such as Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushanokojisenke.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Anyone who has studied Japanese history has likely heard his name. And with that little bit of background, let\u2019s step into the Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum.<\/p>\n
![\"large-scale](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Inside, there\u2019s a model of a Nanban ship surrounded by panels and exhibits about Rikyu. These displays explain that medieval Sakai was an autonomous city and a major international trading port thriving through trade with Ming China, the Ryukyu Kingdom, and Europe. Growing up in such an environment, Rikyu must have been exposed to many different cultures and influences.<\/p>\n
![\"exhibit](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img03.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
In the \u201cPeople Connected to Rikyu and Sakai\u201d corner, contemporary historical figures are introduced with audio and visual images. The narration for Rikyu\u2019s panel is done by Sakai-born Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke. His voice is amazing, so be sure to listen!<\/p>\n
![\"recreation](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img04.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Another exhibit shows two tea rooms: one from Rikyu\u2019s youth and one built later in his life at Jurakudai in Kyoto. You might notice differences in the alcove size and the pillars used. Rikyu established the wabi-cha style\u2014simple and spiritual\u2014which is beautifully reflected in these displays.<\/p>\n
![\"items](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img05.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
There are also tea utensils used in Sakai, reproductions of dishes served at tea gatherings, and old maps. One map caught my eye\u2014Hokkaido isn\u2019t even on it yet! And Osaka is labeled \u201cSacay,\u201d showing just how important Sakai was back then.<\/p>\n
Before leaving, I found a Gozai-in stamp stand\u2014similar to temple stamps. <\/p>\n
![\"sakai](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img06.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Just like people collect pavilion stamps at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, you can collect one here too. It\u2019s a stylish two-layer stamp design. Of course, I had to try it!<\/p>\n
![\"sakai](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img07.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The stamp designs were so cool! They’re made to be stamped on top of each other. I had to give it a try!<\/p>\n
Yosano Akiko’s Passion and Literature: Yosano Akiko Memorial Museum<\/h2>\n
Next, let’s head to the second floor. But first, a quick intro to Yosano Akiko:<\/p>\n
\n- Yosano Akiko (1878\u20131942) was a poet active from the Meiji era to early Showa.<\/li>\n
- She was a pioneer who advocated for women\u2019s independence and peace.<\/li>\n
- Known for works like Midaregami (Tangled Hair) and Kimi Shinitamou Koto Nakare (Thou Shalt Not Die).<\/li>\n
- Published over 30,000 tanka poems in her lifetime.<\/li>\n
- Helped spread classical literature through her translation of The Tale of Genji.<\/li>\n
- She accomplished all this while raising twelve children!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The museum exhibits her works and book covers designed by top artists of the time\u2014true works of art. You really have to see them in person.<\/p>\n
![\"Akiko](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img08.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The museum exhibits are centered around Akiko no S\u014dtei<\/em> (a display of book designs from Akiko Yosano\u2019s own publications). This exhibit traces the poet\u2019s life, her creative works, and the spaces where her art was born.<\/p>\nAt Akiko no S\u014dtei,<\/em> you can see the covers, back covers, and frontispieces of her books up close. Many of Yosano\u2019s book designs were created by leading artists of her time, giving them remarkable artistic value. (It\u2019s something photos just can\u2019t capture. You really have to come and see it for yourself!)<\/p>\nI visit bookstores pretty often, but I rarely come across book covers that feel like true works of art.
\nMaybe back then, people poured even more passion and craftsmanship into each book than we do today.<\/p>\n
![\"words](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img09.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
These are words once written by Akiko Yosano, beautifully gathered here as messages for us living in the present day.
\nEach phrase carries such power, but the one that stayed with me most was \u201cKimi shinitamou koto nakare\u201d \u2014 \u201cYou must not die.\u201d<\/p>\n
She wrote this poem for her younger brother, who was sent to the front during the Russo-Japanese War, praying that he would survive and return home safely.
\nAlthough it was a heartfelt plea for her brother\u2019s life, some interpreted it as a criticism of the war itself, sparking major debate at the time.<\/p>\n
I wonder \u2014 which of her words speaks to your heart the most?<\/p>\n
![\"reconstruction](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img10.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Inside the museum, there\u2019s also a near life-size re-creation of Akiko Yosano\u2019s childhood home, \u201cSurugaya.\u201d
\nSurugaya was apparently a well-known traditional Japanese sweets shop, and inside the reconstructed storefront you can see medals the shop received at the 1888 Barcelona Exposition and the 1889 Paris Exposition.
\nI couldn\u2019t help but think\u2014back then, Surugaya must have been like a \u201cMichelin-featured\u201d confectionery of its day! <\/p>\n
![\"recreation](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img11.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
As I wandered through the exhibit, I could almost picture a young Akiko Yosano, sitting behind the counter at Surugaya, reading literature in between serving customers.
\nInterestingly, Surugaya and Sen no Riky\u016b\u2019s former residence are only about a ten-minute walk apart \u2014 neighbors across the centuries, so to speak.<\/p>\n
Beyond the recreations, the museum also displays a wide range of valuable materials, offering insight not only into Yosano\u2019s literary genius but also her forward-thinking ideas and passionate spirit.
\nShe boldly challenged the traditional notion of how women \u201cshould\u201d be, choosing instead to express her own feelings with honesty and freedom.
\nTruly, what an extraordinary woman she was!<\/p>\n
\u3010Trivia\u3011Akiko Yosano gave each of her children the most incredible names!<\/h3>\n
On the other hand, there was also a display that made me smile \u2014 a rather heartwarming one.
\nIt featured the names of Akiko Yosano\u2019s children.
\nTogether with her husband, the poet Tekkan Yosano, she had six sons and six daughters, and some of them were given truly unique names!<\/p>\n
\u25cfAkiko Yosano’s children’s names:
\nFirst son: Hikaru (\u5149\/light)
\nSecond son: Shigeru (\u79c0\/excellence)
\nFirst daughter: Yatsuo (\u516b\u5cf0\/eight peaks)
\nSecond daughter: Nanase (\u4e03\u702c\/seven currents)
\nThird son: Rin (\u9e9f\/mythical creature)
\nThird daughter: Sahoko (\u4f50\u4fdd\u5b50\/graceful)
\nFourth daughter: Uchiko (\u5b87\u667a\u5b50\/universe & wisdom)
\nFourth son: Auguste (\u30a2\u30a6\u30ae\u30e5\u30b9\u30c8\/European)
\nFifth daughter: Erenne (\u30a8\u30ec\u30f3\u30cc\/European)
\nFifth son: Ken (\u5065\/strong)
\nSixth son: Son (\u5bf8\/unusual)
\nSixth daughter: Fujiko (\u85e4\u5b50\/wisteria)<\/p>\n
What really catches your eye are the fourth son, Auguste, and the fifth daughter, Erenne. There\u2019s actually a clear reason behind their names: they were inspired by artists and figures that Akiko and her husband Hiroshi encountered on their travels through Europe. Auguste, for example, was named after Auguste Rodin, famous for The Thinker.<\/p>\n
Looking at the other children\u2019s names, many of them feel like they could still be used today. Akiko was really ahead of her time when it came to creative, standout names! <\/p>\n
![\"Yosano](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img12.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
This is a recreated image of Akiko Yosano\u2019s study.
\nI can imagine her children often gathering nearby while she was hard at work writing!<\/p>\n
Casual Tea Ceremony Experience for Everyone: Learn about Japanese Culture at a Ryurei Tea Ceremony<\/h2>\n
At Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko, you can even experience a traditional tea ceremony!
\nThis time, I got a special chance to observe a ryurei-style tea ceremony.<\/p>\n
![\"Sakai](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img13.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A ryurei-style tea ceremony is a tea gathering conducted while sitting on chairs.
\nNormally, tea ceremonies are held on tatami mats where participants sit in the traditional seiza position, but with ryurei, tables and chairs are provided, making it easier for those who aren\u2019t comfortable sitting on the floor\u2014or for visitors from abroad\u2014to enjoy the experience casually.<\/p>\n
![\"Ryurei](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img15.jpg\")
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img14.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Under the guidance of the Urasenke school, traditional Japanese sweets from Maruichi Kashih\u014d, a long-established confectionery in Sakai, were served when I visited.
\nFounded in 1895 (Meiji 28), Maruichi Kashih\u014d has been making sweets inspired by Sen no Riky\u016b, the famous tea master. After savoring the delicate, gentle sweetness of the wagashi, guests enjoy the clean, refreshing bitterness of matcha. This is Japanese culture at its finest!<\/p>\n
![\"tea](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img16.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The teacher\u2019s poised and elegant presence was truly impressive!<\/p>\n
This room is called \u201cNankai-an.\u201d What caught my eye in this tea room was the tokonoma<\/em> (alcove). On the day of my visit, the hanging scroll featured the character \u7027 (taki<\/em> waterfall), with the lower part of the strokes elegantly extended\u2014clearly representing a flowing waterfall. In modern terms, you might call it a kind of \u201cdesigned lettering.\u201d I love how this playful creativity blends with the seasonal atmosphere, showing just how fascinating the world of tea can be!<\/p>\nNote: Hanging scrolls are changed monthly; the \u201c\u7027\u201d scroll was displayed at the time of my visit.<\/p>\n
\n\u25cfTea Ceremony Experience: Ryurei-style Tea Ceremony<\/h3>\n
Time: Sessions start every hour and half-hour.
\n(For the 12:00 and 16:00 hours, sessions begin at 12:00, 16:00, and 16:40 only.)<\/p>\n
Fee: Adults (including university students): \u00a5800 \/ High school students: \u00a5700 \/ Junior high school students and younger: \u00a5600<\/p>\n
The tea ceremonies are held on a rotating schedule among the three main tea schools \u2014 Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushakouji-senke.
\nYou can check the rotation calendar for the San-Senke schools on the official Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko website.
\nhttps:\/\/www.sakai-rishonomori.com\/tyanoyutaiken-2\/<\/a>\n<\/div>\nSakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko is also home to a spacious tea room complex consisting of Saik\u014dken (Omotesenke), F\u016broken (Urasenke), and Tokuchiken (Mushak\u014dji-senke).
\nIt\u2019s said to be the only place in the world where the tea rooms of all three Sen schools stand side by side!<\/p>\n
What\u2019s more, visitors can enjoy a hands-on tea ceremony experience, learning to whisk matcha themselves under the guidance of instructors from the San-Senke schools.<\/p>\n
\n\u25cfSakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko <\/h3>\n
Location: 2-1-1 Shukuincho Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture<\/p>\n
Access:
\n1 minute on foot from Shukuin Station (Hankai Line)
\nAbout 6 minutes by bus from Sakaihigashi Station (Nankai Koya Line)
\nAbout 10 minutes on foot or 3\u20135 minutes by bus from Sakai Station (Nankai Main Line)
\nNearest bus stop: Shukuin \u2014 1 minute walk<\/p>\n
Opening Hours:
\nSen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum \/ Akiko Yosano Memorial Hall: 9:00\u201318:00 (last admission 17:30)
\nTourist Information Exhibition Room: 9:00\u201318:00
\nTea Ceremony Experience Facility: 10:00\u201317:00<\/p>\n
Closed:
\nThe Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum, Akiko Yosano Memorial Hall, and Tea Ceremony Experience Facility are closed on the third Tuesday of each month (or the following day if it falls on a national holiday) and during the New Year holidays.
\nThe Tourist Information Exhibition Room is closed during the New Year holidays.<\/p>\n
Admission:
\nAdults (including university students): \u00a5300
\nHigh school students: \u00a5200
\nJunior high school students and younger: Free<\/p>\n
The Tourist Information Exhibition Room is free of charge.
\nAdmission is required for the Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum and the Akiko Yosano Memorial Hall.
\nFor group discounts and details, please check the official website.
\n\uff3bHP\uff3dhttps:\/\/sakai-rishonomori.com\/<\/a><\/p>\nTelephone: 072-260-4386\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Connecting Sakai\u2019s Past and Present: Check out the Gosen-in Stamp Project<\/h2>\n
At Sakai Risho no Mori, you can experience the history, culture, and art of Sakai through the lives of Sen no Riky\u016b and Akiko Yosano \u2014 definitely a place worth visiting!
\nAnd if you\u2019re thinking, \u201cSince I\u2019m here, I\u2019d love to explore a few more spots around town,\u201d then be sure to stop by the Tourist Information Center!<\/p>\n
![\"Sakai](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img17.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
This is the Sakai Station Tourist Information Center, located on the first floor of Sakai Station on the Nankai Electric Railway Nankai Line.
\nAs a JNTO-certified tourist information center for foreign visitors, it has staff on hand who can assist you in English.<\/p>\n
![\"Sakai](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img18.jpg\")
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img19.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Sakai Station Tourist Information Center is filled with brochures on Sakai\u2019s facilities and events\u2014definitely the place to go if you want to gather information!<\/p>\n
They also sell souvenirs, and on this day, items like kofun-shaped and haniwa-shaped clips, as well as tatami coasters, were popular. It seems that things that really capture the essence of Japan are always a hit! According to the staff, \u201cPerishable items like wagashi aren\u2019t sold here, so please visit the actual wagashi shops to buy them directly.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko, we experienced medieval to Meiji\u2013Showa Sakai, but the city\u2019s history goes even further back\u2014to the Kofun period. The most famous example is the Nintoku-tenn\u014d-ry\u014d Kofun, Japan\u2019s largest burial mound, which is also part of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n
![\"Nintoku](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img20.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
To build this kofun group, many skilled blacksmiths were brought together, and their techniques were later passed down to firearms (matchlock guns) and Sakai knives. Interestingly, Sakai City is also home to the only remaining matchlock gun blacksmith\u2019s workshop in Japan.<\/p>\n
Discover Sen no Rikyu\u2019s Tea Ceremony and Medieval Sakai: Welcome to the Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko is a museum dedicated to two historical figures associated with Sakai: Sen no Rikyu and Yosano Akiko. Through their lives, you can experience the history and charm of Sakai.<\/p>\n
The Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum is located on the first floor, so let\u2019s start there. But first, I want to share some Sen no Rikyu trivia:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Sen no Rikyu (1522\u20131591) perfected the Japanese tea ceremony.<\/li>\n
- Born into a merchant family in Sakai, he became familiar with tea culture from a young age.<\/li>\n
- He served Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was called \u201cthe greatest master of tea.\u201d<\/li>\n
- He eventually fell out with Hideyoshi and was ordered to commit seppuku.<\/li>\n
- His tea ceremony philosophy was passed down through schools such as Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushanokojisenke.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Anyone who has studied Japanese history has likely heard his name. And with that little bit of background, let\u2019s step into the Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nInside, there\u2019s a model of a Nanban ship surrounded by panels and exhibits about Rikyu. These displays explain that medieval Sakai was an autonomous city and a major international trading port thriving through trade with Ming China, the Ryukyu Kingdom, and Europe. Growing up in such an environment, Rikyu must have been exposed to many different cultures and influences.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nIn the \u201cPeople Connected to Rikyu and Sakai\u201d corner, contemporary historical figures are introduced with audio and visual images. The narration for Rikyu\u2019s panel is done by Sakai-born Kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke. His voice is amazing, so be sure to listen!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nAnother exhibit shows two tea rooms: one from Rikyu\u2019s youth and one built later in his life at Jurakudai in Kyoto. You might notice differences in the alcove size and the pillars used. Rikyu established the wabi-cha style\u2014simple and spiritual\u2014which is beautifully reflected in these displays.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nThere are also tea utensils used in Sakai, reproductions of dishes served at tea gatherings, and old maps. One map caught my eye\u2014Hokkaido isn\u2019t even on it yet! And Osaka is labeled \u201cSacay,\u201d showing just how important Sakai was back then.<\/p>\n
Before leaving, I found a Gozai-in stamp stand\u2014similar to temple stamps. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\nJust like people collect pavilion stamps at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, you can collect one here too. It\u2019s a stylish two-layer stamp design. Of course, I had to try it!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nThe stamp designs were so cool! They’re made to be stamped on top of each other. I had to give it a try!<\/p>\n
Yosano Akiko’s Passion and Literature: Yosano Akiko Memorial Museum<\/h2>\n
Next, let’s head to the second floor. But first, a quick intro to Yosano Akiko:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Yosano Akiko (1878\u20131942) was a poet active from the Meiji era to early Showa.<\/li>\n
- She was a pioneer who advocated for women\u2019s independence and peace.<\/li>\n
- Known for works like Midaregami (Tangled Hair) and Kimi Shinitamou Koto Nakare (Thou Shalt Not Die).<\/li>\n
- Published over 30,000 tanka poems in her lifetime.<\/li>\n
- Helped spread classical literature through her translation of The Tale of Genji.<\/li>\n
- She accomplished all this while raising twelve children!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The museum exhibits her works and book covers designed by top artists of the time\u2014true works of art. You really have to see them in person.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nThe museum exhibits are centered around Akiko no S\u014dtei<\/em> (a display of book designs from Akiko Yosano\u2019s own publications). This exhibit traces the poet\u2019s life, her creative works, and the spaces where her art was born.<\/p>\n
At Akiko no S\u014dtei,<\/em> you can see the covers, back covers, and frontispieces of her books up close. Many of Yosano\u2019s book designs were created by leading artists of her time, giving them remarkable artistic value. (It\u2019s something photos just can\u2019t capture. You really have to come and see it for yourself!)<\/p>\n
I visit bookstores pretty often, but I rarely come across book covers that feel like true works of art.
\nMaybe back then, people poured even more passion and craftsmanship into each book than we do today.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nThese are words once written by Akiko Yosano, beautifully gathered here as messages for us living in the present day.
\nEach phrase carries such power, but the one that stayed with me most was \u201cKimi shinitamou koto nakare\u201d \u2014 \u201cYou must not die.\u201d<\/p>\nShe wrote this poem for her younger brother, who was sent to the front during the Russo-Japanese War, praying that he would survive and return home safely.
\nAlthough it was a heartfelt plea for her brother\u2019s life, some interpreted it as a criticism of the war itself, sparking major debate at the time.<\/p>\nI wonder \u2014 which of her words speaks to your heart the most?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nInside the museum, there\u2019s also a near life-size re-creation of Akiko Yosano\u2019s childhood home, \u201cSurugaya.\u201d
\nSurugaya was apparently a well-known traditional Japanese sweets shop, and inside the reconstructed storefront you can see medals the shop received at the 1888 Barcelona Exposition and the 1889 Paris Exposition.
\nI couldn\u2019t help but think\u2014back then, Surugaya must have been like a \u201cMichelin-featured\u201d confectionery of its day! <\/p>\n<\/p>\nAs I wandered through the exhibit, I could almost picture a young Akiko Yosano, sitting behind the counter at Surugaya, reading literature in between serving customers.
\nInterestingly, Surugaya and Sen no Riky\u016b\u2019s former residence are only about a ten-minute walk apart \u2014 neighbors across the centuries, so to speak.<\/p>\nBeyond the recreations, the museum also displays a wide range of valuable materials, offering insight not only into Yosano\u2019s literary genius but also her forward-thinking ideas and passionate spirit.
\nShe boldly challenged the traditional notion of how women \u201cshould\u201d be, choosing instead to express her own feelings with honesty and freedom.
\nTruly, what an extraordinary woman she was!<\/p>\n\u3010Trivia\u3011Akiko Yosano gave each of her children the most incredible names!<\/h3>\n
On the other hand, there was also a display that made me smile \u2014 a rather heartwarming one.
\nIt featured the names of Akiko Yosano\u2019s children.
\nTogether with her husband, the poet Tekkan Yosano, she had six sons and six daughters, and some of them were given truly unique names!<\/p>\n\u25cfAkiko Yosano’s children’s names:
\nFirst son: Hikaru (\u5149\/light)
\nSecond son: Shigeru (\u79c0\/excellence)
\nFirst daughter: Yatsuo (\u516b\u5cf0\/eight peaks)
\nSecond daughter: Nanase (\u4e03\u702c\/seven currents)
\nThird son: Rin (\u9e9f\/mythical creature)
\nThird daughter: Sahoko (\u4f50\u4fdd\u5b50\/graceful)
\nFourth daughter: Uchiko (\u5b87\u667a\u5b50\/universe & wisdom)
\nFourth son: Auguste (\u30a2\u30a6\u30ae\u30e5\u30b9\u30c8\/European)
\nFifth daughter: Erenne (\u30a8\u30ec\u30f3\u30cc\/European)
\nFifth son: Ken (\u5065\/strong)
\nSixth son: Son (\u5bf8\/unusual)
\nSixth daughter: Fujiko (\u85e4\u5b50\/wisteria)<\/p>\nWhat really catches your eye are the fourth son, Auguste, and the fifth daughter, Erenne. There\u2019s actually a clear reason behind their names: they were inspired by artists and figures that Akiko and her husband Hiroshi encountered on their travels through Europe. Auguste, for example, was named after Auguste Rodin, famous for The Thinker.<\/p>\n
Looking at the other children\u2019s names, many of them feel like they could still be used today. Akiko was really ahead of her time when it came to creative, standout names! <\/p>\n
<\/p>\nThis is a recreated image of Akiko Yosano\u2019s study.
\nI can imagine her children often gathering nearby while she was hard at work writing!<\/p>\nCasual Tea Ceremony Experience for Everyone: Learn about Japanese Culture at a Ryurei Tea Ceremony<\/h2>\n
At Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko, you can even experience a traditional tea ceremony!
\nThis time, I got a special chance to observe a ryurei-style tea ceremony.<\/p>\n<\/p>\nA ryurei-style tea ceremony is a tea gathering conducted while sitting on chairs.
\nNormally, tea ceremonies are held on tatami mats where participants sit in the traditional seiza position, but with ryurei, tables and chairs are provided, making it easier for those who aren\u2019t comfortable sitting on the floor\u2014or for visitors from abroad\u2014to enjoy the experience casually.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\nUnder the guidance of the Urasenke school, traditional Japanese sweets from Maruichi Kashih\u014d, a long-established confectionery in Sakai, were served when I visited.
\nFounded in 1895 (Meiji 28), Maruichi Kashih\u014d has been making sweets inspired by Sen no Riky\u016b, the famous tea master. After savoring the delicate, gentle sweetness of the wagashi, guests enjoy the clean, refreshing bitterness of matcha. This is Japanese culture at its finest!<\/p>\n<\/p>\nThe teacher\u2019s poised and elegant presence was truly impressive!<\/p>\n
This room is called \u201cNankai-an.\u201d What caught my eye in this tea room was the tokonoma<\/em> (alcove). On the day of my visit, the hanging scroll featured the character \u7027 (taki<\/em> waterfall), with the lower part of the strokes elegantly extended\u2014clearly representing a flowing waterfall. In modern terms, you might call it a kind of \u201cdesigned lettering.\u201d I love how this playful creativity blends with the seasonal atmosphere, showing just how fascinating the world of tea can be!<\/p>\n
Note: Hanging scrolls are changed monthly; the \u201c\u7027\u201d scroll was displayed at the time of my visit.<\/p>\n
\n\u25cfTea Ceremony Experience: Ryurei-style Tea Ceremony<\/h3>\n
Time: Sessions start every hour and half-hour.
\n(For the 12:00 and 16:00 hours, sessions begin at 12:00, 16:00, and 16:40 only.)<\/p>\nFee: Adults (including university students): \u00a5800 \/ High school students: \u00a5700 \/ Junior high school students and younger: \u00a5600<\/p>\n
The tea ceremonies are held on a rotating schedule among the three main tea schools \u2014 Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushakouji-senke.
\nYou can check the rotation calendar for the San-Senke schools on the official Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko website.
\nhttps:\/\/www.sakai-rishonomori.com\/tyanoyutaiken-2\/<\/a>\n<\/div>\nSakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko is also home to a spacious tea room complex consisting of Saik\u014dken (Omotesenke), F\u016broken (Urasenke), and Tokuchiken (Mushak\u014dji-senke).
\nIt\u2019s said to be the only place in the world where the tea rooms of all three Sen schools stand side by side!<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s more, visitors can enjoy a hands-on tea ceremony experience, learning to whisk matcha themselves under the guidance of instructors from the San-Senke schools.<\/p>\n
\n\u25cfSakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko <\/h3>\n
Location: 2-1-1 Shukuincho Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture<\/p>\n
Access:
\n1 minute on foot from Shukuin Station (Hankai Line)
\nAbout 6 minutes by bus from Sakaihigashi Station (Nankai Koya Line)
\nAbout 10 minutes on foot or 3\u20135 minutes by bus from Sakai Station (Nankai Main Line)
\nNearest bus stop: Shukuin \u2014 1 minute walk<\/p>\nOpening Hours:
\nSen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum \/ Akiko Yosano Memorial Hall: 9:00\u201318:00 (last admission 17:30)
\nTourist Information Exhibition Room: 9:00\u201318:00
\nTea Ceremony Experience Facility: 10:00\u201317:00<\/p>\nClosed:
\nThe Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum, Akiko Yosano Memorial Hall, and Tea Ceremony Experience Facility are closed on the third Tuesday of each month (or the following day if it falls on a national holiday) and during the New Year holidays.
\nThe Tourist Information Exhibition Room is closed during the New Year holidays.<\/p>\nAdmission:
\nAdults (including university students): \u00a5300
\nHigh school students: \u00a5200
\nJunior high school students and younger: Free<\/p>\nThe Tourist Information Exhibition Room is free of charge.
\nAdmission is required for the Sen no Rikyu Chanoyu Museum and the Akiko Yosano Memorial Hall.
\nFor group discounts and details, please check the official website.
\n\uff3bHP\uff3dhttps:\/\/sakai-rishonomori.com\/<\/a><\/p>\nTelephone: 072-260-4386\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Connecting Sakai\u2019s Past and Present: Check out the Gosen-in Stamp Project<\/h2>\n
At Sakai Risho no Mori, you can experience the history, culture, and art of Sakai through the lives of Sen no Riky\u016b and Akiko Yosano \u2014 definitely a place worth visiting!
\nAnd if you\u2019re thinking, \u201cSince I\u2019m here, I\u2019d love to explore a few more spots around town,\u201d then be sure to stop by the Tourist Information Center!<\/p>\n<\/p>\nThis is the Sakai Station Tourist Information Center, located on the first floor of Sakai Station on the Nankai Electric Railway Nankai Line.
\nAs a JNTO-certified tourist information center for foreign visitors, it has staff on hand who can assist you in English.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\nThe Sakai Station Tourist Information Center is filled with brochures on Sakai\u2019s facilities and events\u2014definitely the place to go if you want to gather information!<\/p>\n
They also sell souvenirs, and on this day, items like kofun-shaped and haniwa-shaped clips, as well as tatami coasters, were popular. It seems that things that really capture the essence of Japan are always a hit! According to the staff, \u201cPerishable items like wagashi aren\u2019t sold here, so please visit the actual wagashi shops to buy them directly.\u201d<\/p>\n
At Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko, we experienced medieval to Meiji\u2013Showa Sakai, but the city\u2019s history goes even further back\u2014to the Kofun period. The most famous example is the Nintoku-tenn\u014d-ry\u014d Kofun, Japan\u2019s largest burial mound, which is also part of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nTo build this kofun group, many skilled blacksmiths were brought together, and their techniques were later passed down to firearms (matchlock guns) and Sakai knives. Interestingly, Sakai City is also home to the only remaining matchlock gun blacksmith\u2019s workshop in Japan.<\/p>\n
![\"Exterior](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img21.jpg\")
![\"Machiya\u202fHistory\u202fMuseum\u202fSeigakuin\"](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img22.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"rental](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img23.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Xavier](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img24.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Gosen-in](\"https:\/\/maido-storage.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com\/maido\/uploads\/2025\/09\/sightseeing-in-sakai-img25.jpg\")
<\/p>\n