Hakone Goraen Park (箱根強羅公園) in Kanagawa Prefecture is holding its first-ever matcha experience event at "Hakuundo Chaen" (白雲洞茶苑), a registered tangible cultural property tucked within the park grounds. The event takes place on May 18 (Monday) and May 19 (Tuesday), 2026.
An Itoen Tea Taster will be on hand as a special guest to share the history of Hakuundo Chaen and guide participants through the process of whisking their own matcha. Following the experience, visitors are welcome to explore the teahouse complex at their own pace. Matcha and traditional Japanese sweets are included. Participants will be asked to fill out a brief survey after the session.
Event Schedule
May 18, 2026 (Monday)
- Morning session: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM (Last entry: 12:00 PM)
- Afternoon session: 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Last entry: 3:30 PM)
May 19, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Morning session: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Last entry: 11:30 AM)
- Afternoon session: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Last entry: 3:30 PM)
Venue: Hakuundo Chaen "Hakuundo"
Capacity: Up to approximately 5 participants per session (first-come, first-served)
No advance reservation is required. Preschool-age children must be accompanied by an adult.
Experience duration: Approximately 20 to 30 minutes
Fee: Free (regularly ¥750 per person) *Separate park admission is required.
Commemorative Matcha Set on Sale
To mark the occasion, a home matcha starter set called "Maccha Kotohajime" (抹茶ことはじめ) will go on sale from May 18 at the park's souvenir shop. During the event dates, it will also be available at Hakuundo itself.
Product name: Maccha Kotohajime
Pricing:
- ① ¥5,500 (tax included) – includes chasen (tea whisk), chawan (tea bowl), and matcha
- ② ¥4,180 (tax included) – includes chasen (tea whisk) and chawan (tea bowl)
About Hakone Goraen Park
Opened in 1914 (Taisho 3), Hakone Goraen Park is Japan's first French formal garden, located at the terminal station of the Hakone Tozan Railway in Gora. Traditional French formal gardens are laid out symmetrically on flat, expansive land, but this park was built on a slope, giving it a distinctive character.
Operating Hours:
- March to November: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last entry: 4:30 PM)
- December to February: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Last entry: 4:00 PM)
- Open year-round (approximately 3 maintenance closures per year)
Admission:
- Adults: ¥650 (tax included)
- Elementary school students and younger: Free
- Dogs: Free
Holders of the Hakone Free Pass, Nonbiri Kippu, or Owakudani Kippu (including digital tickets) enter free. Same-day and next-day re-entry is permitted with a receipt.
About Hakuundo Chaen
Hakuundo Chaen is a cluster of teahouses within Hakone Goraen Park, consisting of four tea rooms—Hakuundo, Fusenyoan, Taijisai, and Yoritsuki—along with Hakurokuyu, which was once used as a rock bath. Long cherished as a relaxed "country-style" teahouse where guests could enjoy tea free from formal etiquette and ceremony, it was built in the 1910s by Masuda Takashi (Donno, 鈍翁), a businessperson and key developer of the Gora area. The property was later passed on to Hara Tomitaro (Sankei, 三渓) in 1922, and then to Matsunaga Yasuzaemon (Jian, 耳庵) in 1940.
Designated as a registered tangible cultural property (structures) in 2001, Hakuundo Chaen has been carefully maintained for more than 110 years, preserving the legacy of three celebrated tea masters from the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras.
