Tsuen Chaya

Japan's oldest tearoom, which was established in 1160 during the late Heian Period and even appeared in a traditional Kyogen play. The current shop, built in 1672, preserves the architectural style of a townhouse of the early Edo Period and was portrayed in Miyako meisho zue (a collectiion of pictures depicting famous places in Kyoto). Antique teapots, some hundreds of years old, are on display and a wooden figure of the first Tsuen, carved by the monk Ikkyu Zenji, is enshrined in the shop. Be sure to enjoy tea made by the 24th head of Tsuen clan.