As soon as you step inside the gate, it feels like entering a different world. The garden may not be very large, but once you enter the building to enjoy some matcha, the view of the garden is very soothing. It was a quiet and relaxing experience with few people around. I enjoyed the matcha and sweets.

[Visit on April 21, 2023] - Admission fee for the paid park facilities: 100 yen - Matcha set: 500 yen Rakusuien (Matcha set) 092-262-6665 2-10-7 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka https://tabelog.com/fukuoka/A4001/A400101/40036739/

In Fukuoka, there is a scenic garden called Rakusuien located near Sumiyoshi Shrine. It was originally the site of a villa built by a Fukuoka businessman named Shimozawa Zenemon in 1906. After the war, it was used as a ryokan called Rakususo before being converted into a Japanese garden with a pond and stream. I stopped by during my travels to enjoy some matcha tea. The entrance fee was 100 yen, and the tea cost 500 yen. I purchased my ticket at the entrance, explored the garden, and then enjoyed tea by a small waterfall in a traditional Japanese house overlooking the garden. The tea came with sakura-shaped sugar sweets and wafer-like tea snacks. The sakura-shaped sugar sweets had a delicate sweetness with a jelly-like center that melted smoothly. The matcha tea was not too strong, and it helped me relax and unwind.

On this day (3rd December 2022), I walked to Rakusuien. It took about 1 hour and 30 minutes from my home. Rakusuien is said to be the site where Hakata merchant Zenemon Shimozawa built his Sumiyoshi Villa. There are quite a lot of visitors, especially young couples. Perhaps many are here for the Christmas Market currently being held in front of JR Hakata Station. After entering, I enjoyed a matcha set in a Japanese-style room. After having the matcha set, I strolled around the garden. The garden is small, so it didn't take long to go around. Still, having such a space near JR Hakata Station is precious. After finishing the stroll, we also headed to the Christmas Market. (laughs) P.S. Entrance fee: 100 yen Matcha set: 500 yen Opening hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Closed on Tuesdays

I had about 2 hours of free time around Hakata Station, so I searched online for a nearby tourist spot. I found Rakusuien, which is about a 10-minute taxi ride away. It's primarily a Japanese garden, but there is a tea house where you can enjoy matcha. It's a calm and peaceful place, you wouldn't believe it's in the middle of an office district. The matcha was authentic and I enjoyed it with some tea sweets. It was so relaxing... If it was only 500 yen, I would be completely satisfied!! I would recommend it with a score of 75 points.

It is located near Sumiyoshi Shrine and surrounded by greenery. The garden is not very large, but it was enough to relax while looking at the greenery and listening to the sound of water. The carp gather quickly when you prepare food for them, which is amusing. I wanted to relax on the garden bench, but there were mosquitoes at this time of year, so I gave up. I guess I need insect repellent. I had a leisurely time enjoying matcha and sweets in a Japanese-style room. Thank you very much! (^^)

Here, near Hakata Station in an office district, you can visit a Japanese garden where you can not only view but also enjoy matcha tea. Surrounded by Hakata walls, the garden features a suikinkutsu, a tea room called "Rakusui-an," a pond, and even a small waterfall, creating a tranquil space where time seems to slow down. It's like a slightly smaller version of the Higo Hosokawa Garden and Shoseikaku in Mejirodai. Enjoying matcha tea in a large tatami room within such a garden is truly a pleasant experience.

Enjoying a matcha set while looking at the garden. The tea is served by being poured into the cup, along with dried sweets. After tea, take a leisurely walk while looking at the trees and koi in the garden. Unlike cafes, there aren't many people, so it's nice to forget about the hustle and bustle of the city.

During a business trip, I visited with my junior colleague during our free time. As we passed through the gate, it felt like entering a different world. The gentle sunlight, the rustling of leaves, and the sound of water created a peaceful atmosphere, as if time stood still in this place. We strolled through the garden at a leisurely pace and came across a large pond with many carp swimming in it. I thought we could have fed them if we had bought some bread crusts sold nearby. Inside the building, the scent of tatami mats was soothing. We were guided to a private room, where we enjoyed tea and tea sweets. The garden was well-maintained and the scenery was truly beautiful. This place may be a good escape for those leading busy lives.

After visiting Sumiyoshi Shrine, I went to this place I wanted to visit. I paid the entrance fee and tea fee at the entrance first. I was guided to the tea room, where I had matcha tea and sweets. The garden in front of me was lovely, and the tatami room was spacious, allowing me to relax. I was able to forget that I was in Hakata and truly unwind. Since there were many autumn leaves, I would like to visit again during the autumn leaf season.

After the Poetry Café, I wanted to visit another place, so I went to Rakusuien. It's a Japanese garden located right next to Sumiyoshi Shrine. It was quiet, probably because it was a weekday. Walking through the moss-covered tea garden made time seem to flow slowly. The entrance fee is ¥100, and for an additional ¥500, you can enjoy matcha tea. They served a delicate matcha tea with a rice cake stamped with the shape of a plum and a nightingale, along with cherry blossom tea as a service for the Hinamatsuri festival. I wanted to take more photos from different angles because it was so cute, but I felt it might be impolite, so I only took one. I decided to try tea ceremony for the first time with the help of a guide. I was a bit nervous, but it was delicious. There was also a lovely display of Hina dolls. Even though it wasn't cherry blossom season or autumn foliage season, and it was still cold, I initially thought it was an off-season for a Japanese garden. But when I actually visited, I realized that there is no on or off season for the four seasons, right? It's not just about being vibrant. The gentle early spring light and the garden's still sleepy expression also felt like an "on" moment. I'm glad I went there.

Good evening. I am a beauty acupuncturist, Kozue. The other day, I visited a Japanese garden near Sumiyoshi Shrine in Hakata. The place I visited this time is called Rakusuien. The entrance fee is 100 yen, but the garden in the middle of the city has a charming atmosphere. Inside the garden, there are features such as a water harp and a tea room. The matcha set was 500 yen, and you can enjoy tea in a tea room with a view of the garden. The matcha set includes matcha and a confectionery called "Tabigoromo," which has Daikokuji natto inside the dough, and white amber sugar. The dough is slightly sweet, with a crispy surface and a slightly moist interior, with a good balance of saltiness. This saltiness may come from the Daikokuji natto. The balance of sweetness and saltiness goes well with the bitterness of matcha. The matcha is light and easy to drink, refreshing the mouth after the sweetness of the confectionery. I was able to spend a moment where I could forget about daily life. Thank you for the meal.

◆Hakata Japanese Garden Rakusuien◆ If you go to Hakata and the weather is nice, I highly recommend visiting this place. It's about a 12-13 minute walk from Hakata Station. You pay ¥100 at the entrance of the Japanese garden Rakusuien and then you can stroll around the garden. On the day I visited, the temperature was a bit low but the weather was nice, so I could leisurely explore the garden. The Japanese garden itself is a space where you can forget that you are in the city, and for ¥300, you can also enjoy a cup of matcha tea. It was so nice to admire the changing autumn leaves and feel refreshed. Even with the entrance fee of ¥100 and the tea, it only cost ¥400. I have been to Fukuoka many times, but I didn't know about this place. I had a great time here.

As the days become cooler, the autumn leaves are progressing further. Why not take a leisurely stroll from Hakata Station to a building nestled in the valley with a Japanese garden and enjoy a cup of tea while admiring the autumn foliage? The entrance fee is 100 yen and a matcha set costs 300 yen. Despite the cold weather, mosquitoes are still common, so it's recommended to bring mosquito repellent cream in case you get bitten. You can also enjoy your tea in a traditional tatami room. Take a moment to relax in the serene atmosphere, surrounded by the aroma of tea, mosquito coils, the faint sound of cicadas, and the calming Japanese room. Why not savor this exquisite moment with a cup of tea?

On the third day of my summer trip to Kyushu, I arrived in Hakata, a romantic journey. Today, I decided to walk to Rakusuien, which was listed on the walking map I received from the Fukuoka City Tourist Information Center at Hakata Station. It is a 12-minute walk from JR Hakata Station Hakata Exit, located just north of Hakata Sumiyoshi Shrine, one of the three major Sumiyoshi shrines. Rakusuien is the site of a villa built by Chikamasa Shimozawa, a Hakata merchant in the late Edo period, in 1906. It was named after his pen name "Rakusui," based on the saying from the Analects: "The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in mountains." Surrounded by a Hakata fence made of burnt stones and tiles molded with clay, Rakusuien is an urban oasis filled with Hakata charm. The opening hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and the entrance fee is 100 yen for adults. Visitors can enjoy a Japanese garden with a pond and waterfall featuring natural stones and a water koto. By paying an additional 300 yen, guests can also receive hospitality with matcha tea in tea rooms such as Hagi-no-ma, Ayame-no-ma, and Tsubaki-no-ma. After borrowing insect repellent spray and exploring the garden, I decided to relax with a cup of tea in the tea room. There were no other guests present. While listening to the cicadas chirping, I enjoyed the matcha tea and sweets brought by the staff. The sweets were from Seiryu, a confectionery in Hirao, Chuo Ward, with two types: a vivid green jelly-like amber sugar and a fu-yaki with the characters "Myoho." Seiryu seems to have trained in Kyoto, and the fu-yaki is inspired by the Gion Matsuri. It seems that sweets are a staple with matcha tea. The Uji Koyamaen matcha was served in a Karatsu ware tea bowl with a black rim. Thanks to the detailed explanation from the female staff, I learned a lot. Visiting in midsummer, I was impressed by the greenery of the trees, but enjoying Rakusuien in early spring with budding leaves, autumn with red leaves, or winter with fallen leaves would also be wonderful. It was a delightful experience.

There is a space where you can reset your mind, nestled between buildings in the city, yet secluded from the hustle and bustle. Pay ¥100 for admission at the reception and enjoy a set of matcha tea and dried sweets for ¥300, then take a leisurely stroll in the garden. Afterwards, head inside the main house to have tea. You can relax and enjoy without worrying about etiquette, which is one of the good things about this place. You can spend a more valuable time here than at a mediocre cafe.

Rakusuien in Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City. It's located about 8-10 minutes walk from JR Hakata Station, right near Sumiyoshi Shrine. I visited on a Sunday (11/17) after praying at the shrine. The entrance fee is 100 yen. For an additional 300 yen, you can enjoy matcha in the tea room. First, I toured the garden. It's a very small garden. The autumn leaves were not quite at their peak yet. In 1-2 weeks, they will be more colorful. After touring the garden, I moved to the tea room. While looking out at the garden from the tea room, I enjoyed matcha. The total cost was 400 yen. For 400 yen, you can spend quiet time reflecting on yourself. It's nice... It's a place like this in the city... That's the feeling. I want to revisit when the autumn leaves are at their peak in 1-2 weeks. The tranquility in the midst of the city. I'll be back, Rakusuien! P.S. Opening hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on Tuesdays.

Located in Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, "Rakusuien" is about a 15-minute walk from Hakata Station. It is a beautiful Japanese garden in the heart of Fukuoka city, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Inside, there is a space where you can enjoy matcha tea at a reasonable price of 300 yen. It is a luxury to be able to enjoy delicious matcha tea in such a lovely setting, as it is not something you can easily experience in a traditional Japanese room. Seasonal sweets are also included.

I visited Sumiyoshi Shrine, which is also close to Hakata Station, hoping to see autumn leaves, but unfortunately there were none yet. However, I decided to enjoy some matcha tea instead. I relaxed and recharged while looking at the garden.

A seemingly ordinary temple where you can enjoy a cup of tea. The scenery is beautiful and it's quiet with few customers. It's a great space to relax and unwind from daily stress. The entrance fee and tea prices are surprisingly cheap, making it easy to visit.