Hakone, a famous tourist destination. I found a superb tea house in the park and felt the spirit of the Japanese tea ceremony.
Enjoying Hakone Even When You Cannot See Mt. Fuji
Hakone is one of the most popular destinations near Tokyo. Visitors come for hot springs, traditional Japanese inns, forests, lakes, historical sites, and museums. Hakone is also famous for its transportation. You can enjoy the mountain railway, cable car, ropeway, and sightseeing boats.
Many people visit Hakone to see Mt. Fuji. However, you need good weather. If the weather is bad, you will not see the mountain. People often say that the chance of seeing Mt. Fuji is about 60% in winter, 30–40% in spring and autumn, and only around 10% in summer.
In other words, seeing Mt. Fuji is never guaranteed. If you can see it, you are very lucky. So where should you go if Mt. Fuji is hidden by clouds? Of course, you can visit famous places such as Owakudani, Lake Ashi, and Hakone Shrine. However, I would like to introduce a tea house.
A Hidden Tea House in Gora Park
You can enjoy matcha tea in Tokyo as well. Many Japanese gardens offer this experience, such as Hamarikyu Garden, Rikugien Garden, and Koishikawa Korakuen Garden. However, these places can be crowded. It is often difficult to experience the quiet atmosphere that is an important part of the tea ceremony.
That is why I recommend Hakuundo Tea House. The tea house stands inside Gora Park. Gora is the final station on the Hakone Tozan Railway from Hakone-Yumoto. It originally developed as a villa area and still has many traditional inns and hotels.
The tea house sits at the edge of the Gora park. Most visitors spend their time around the rose garden, fountain, and cedar trees in the center of the park. To reach the tea house, you need to walk to the far side of the park. I suspect that many visitors never notice it.
The Path to the Tea House
A gate marks the entrance, but you cannot see the tea house from there. After I pass through the gate, I walk along a quiet path surrounded by trees. Stone lanterns, stone paving, and other traditional garden elements line the route. There are also stone steps, so visitors should watch their footing.
At the end of the path stands the tea house. Tea houses exist to help people calm their minds and step away from everyday life. During the development of the tea ceremony in the 16th century, people created a special space called a roji, or tea garden path, in front of the tea room. People walked through this space before entering the tea room. It helped them leave their daily concerns behind and prepare their minds.
The approach to Hakuundo Tea House serves the same purpose. I find this space especially impressive. It is the kind of place that is difficult to find in Tokyo.
Experiencing the Spirit of the Tea Ceremony
The tea house serves matcha and traditional Japanese sweets. There is a veranda, and the tatami room has space for about six guests. When I enter, a staff member wearing a kimono welcomes me. Inside the room, I see a hanging scroll and a flower arrangement on the left side. An irori fireplace sits on the right side.
As I sit on a cushion and wait, a staff member brings me a Japanese sweet. She bows and places it in front of me. In the tea ceremony, people eat the sweet first. The sweetness balances the slightly bitter taste of matcha. Good manners also require finishing the sweet before drinking the tea.
After that, the staff member brings me a bowl of matcha. She kneels, bows politely, and places it in front of me. As I drink the tea, I look at the peaceful space around me. When no other guests are present, the silence feels remarkable. The alcove and the fireplace create a beautiful atmosphere together.
I usually spend only about fifteen minutes in the tea house. Even so, after finishing the matcha, I often feel like closing my eyes and sitting quietly for a few more minutes. That is the kind of place it is.
More than anything else, Hakuundo Tea House offers a chance to experience the spirit of wa-kei-sei-jaku (和敬清寂), harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. If you would like to experience the essence of Japanese culture, I highly recommend a visit.
Visited in 2026.
Basic Information
■ Name of Place：Hakuundo Tea House (白雲洞茶苑)
■ Address : Hakone Gora Park, Kanagawa, Ashigarashimo District, Hakone, Gora, 1300
■ Homepage : https://www.hakonenavi.jp/gorapark/en/map/tea/