• Table of Contents
• A Moment of Stillness at a Historic Site
• Fall Leaves Illumination at the Former Hasegawa Residence
• Visitor Information

A Moment of Stillness at a Historic Site

A flower
arrangement and ink wash painting symbolizing the changing seasons greeted me
inside the tatami room of the Former Hasegawa Residence in Matsusaka, where I
could see the traditional garden from between the sliding doors.

In the
corner of the room, the tea kettle sat quietly—soft birdsong drifted in from
just outside.

The
Former Hasegawa Residence in Matsusaka holds a special place in Japan’s history
as a designated National Important Cultural Property. This estate was once the
home of the Hasegawa family, one of the many historically significant merchant
families who lived in Matsusaka. Every part of the estate, from the detailed
patterns in its sliding screens to the arrangement of the buildings, tells
stories about the former residents, architecture, and merchant class life in
the Edo period (1603-1867).

Here, you
can enjoy a cup of matcha green tea with seasonal wagashi, or traditional confections, on a handful of special days
throughout the year.

▲The
garden and the seasonal wagashi from
my visit in early spring. The wagashi were
made to look like bamboo shoots, cherry blossoms, and flower petals on flowing
water.

The
shape and the ingredients of the wagashi
change every season, bringing you into the present moment with their flavor and
meaning. My visit was a precious opportunity to experience stillness and the
reverence of seasons in a beautiful, historical place.

While
tea with seasonal wagashi is a
special offering only on certain days, you can have tea or coffee at the Former
Hasegawa Residence throughout the year. Drop by to enjoy a drink and feel the
depth of the city’s history through the elegance of this treasured estate.

Former Hasegawa Residence

【Address】1653 Uomachi, Matsusaka, Mie 515-0082

【Phone】0598-21-8600

【Hours】9am-5pm (*Closed on Wednesdays)

【Entry】¥400 for general admission, ¥200 for ages 6-18

【Website】https://matsusaka-rekibun.com/hasegawa/
(Japanese)

You can
enjoy matcha for ¥500, or coffee for ¥400 from 10am to 3:45pm during opening
hours. Coffee is Thursday to Saturday only. A separate general admission fee is
required. See below for information on the seasonal confection event.

You can view
the English language pamphlet for the Former Hasegawa Residence here: https://matsusaka-rekibun.com/

Tea with Seasonal Confections at the Former Hasegawa
Residence

Tea with
seasonal confections will be served on six days throughout the year in 2025.

Click here for details

Fall Leaves Illumination at the Former Hasegawa Residence

If you visit
the Former Hasegawa Residence around December, you can enjoy a cup of warm tea
or coffee while admiring the fall colors, or walk through the fall leaves in
the illuminated garden in the evening.

Hasegawa Fall Leaves Night Walk (2025 Fall Leaves
Illumination)

【Date】Friday, December 5, to Sunday, December 7, 2025

【Time】Until 7:30pm (Last entry at 7:00pm)

【Entry】¥400
for general admission, ¥200 for ages 6-18

Visitor Information

[You can find out more about events, sights, and other things to do and see in Matsusaka at the links below. ]

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Site

Matsusaka City Tourism Information Official Instagram