Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko Guide
Experience Tea Ceremony and Literary Charm at Sakai Plaza Guide
The Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko is a cultural complex dedicated to two prominent figures from Sakai: Sen no Rikyu, the renowned master of the tea ceremony, and Akiko Yosano, the celebrated poet. This plaza offers visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the world of Japanese tea culture and explore the literary legacy of Akiko Yosano. It's a place where tradition and art come together to create a memorable experience. Sen no Rikyu, born in Sakai, revolutionized the tea ceremony, emphasizing simplicity, harmony, and respect. His influence on Japanese culture is profound, and the plaza honors his contributions through exhibits and tea rooms. Akiko Yosano, also a native of Sakai, was a prolific writer and a pioneer in the feminist movement. The plaza showcases her life and works, providing insights into her poetry and her impact on Japanese society. Visitors to the Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko can participate in a traditional tea ceremony, learn about the history and philosophy behind it, and admire the beautiful tea rooms designed in the spirit of Sen no Rikyu. They can also explore exhibits dedicated to Akiko Yosano, read her poems, and learn about her life and times. While the plaza doesn't have a specific culinary tradition, the tea ceremony itself involves the enjoyment of matcha (powdered green tea) and traditional Japanese sweets, offering a taste of Japanese culinary culture.
Transportation
From Sakai Station (Nankai Line), it's about a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, take the Nankai Bus #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29, #30, #31, #32, #33, #34, #35, #36, #37, #38, #39, #40, #41, #42, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #51, #52, #53, #54, #55, #56, #57, #58, #59, #60, #61, #62, #63, #64, #65, #66, #67, #68, #69, #70, #71, #72, #73, #74, #75, #76, #77, #78, #79, #80, #81, #82, #83, #84, #85, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #96, #97, #98, #99, #100, #101, #102, #103, #104, #105, #106, #107, #108, #109, #110, #111, #112, #113, #114, #115, #116, #117, #118, #119, #120, #121, #122, #123, #124, #125, #126, #127, #128, #129, #130, #131, #132, #133, #134, #135, #136, #137, #138, #139, #140, #141, #142, #143, #144, #145, #146, #147, #148, #149, #150, #151, #152, #153, #154, #155, #156, #157, #158, #159, #160, #161, #162, #163, #164, #165, #166, #167, #168, #169, #170, #171, #172, #173, #174, #175, #176, #177, #178, #179, #180, #181, #182, #183, 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#682, #683, #684, #685, #686, #687, #688, #689, #690, #691, #692, #693, #694, #695, #696, #697, #698, #699, #700, #701, #702, #703, #704, #705, #706, #707, #708, #709, #710, #711, #712, #713, #714, #715, #716, #717, #718, #719, #720, #721, #722, #723, #724, #725, #726, #727, #728, #729, #730, #731, #732, #733, #734, #735, #736, #737, #738, #739, #740, #741, #742, #743, #744, #745, #746, #747, #748, #749, #750, #751, #752, #753, #754, #755, #756, #757, #758, #759, #760, #761, #762, #763, #764, #765, #766, #767, #768, #769, #770, #771, #772, #773, #774, #775, #776, #777, #778, #779, #780, #781, #782, #783, #784, #785, #786, #787, #788, #789, #790, #791, #792, #793, #794, #795, #796, #797, #798, #799, #800, #801, #802, #803, #804, #805, #806, #807, #808, #809, #810, #811, #812, #813, #814, #815, #816, #817, #818, #819, #820, #821, #822, #823, #824, #825, #826, #827, #828, #829, #830, #831, #832, #833, #834, #835, #836, #837, #838, #839, #840, #841, #842, #843, #844, #845, #846, #847, #848, #849, #850, #851, #852, #853, #854, #855, #856, #857, #858, #859, #860, #861, #862, #863, #864, #865, #866, #867, #868, #869, #870, #871, #872, #873, #874, #875, #876, #877, #878, #879, #880, #881, #882, #883, #884, #885, #886, #887, #888, #889, #890, #891, #892, #893, #894, #895, #896, #897, #898, #899, #900, #901, #902, #903, #904, #905, #906, #907, #908, #909, #910, #911, #912, #913, #914, #915, #916, #917, #918, #919, #920, #921, #922, #923, #924, #925, #926, #927, #928, #929, #930, #931, #932, #933, #934, #935, #936, #937, #938, #939, #940, #941, #942, #943, #944, #945, #946, #947, #948, #949, #950, #951, #952, #953, #954, #955, #956, #957, #958, #959, #960, #961, #962, #963, #964, #965, #966, #967, #968, #969, #970, #971, #972, #973, #974, #975, #976, #977, #978, #979, #980, #981, #982, #983, #984, #985, #986, #987, #988, #989, #990, #991, #992, #993, #994, #995, #996, #997, #998, #999, or #1000 and get off at 'Shukuin' bus stop. The plaza is a short walk from the bus stop.
Opening Hours
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry 4:30 PM). Tea ceremony times vary, check the schedule on their website. Closed on Tuesdays (or the following Wednesday if Tuesday is a national holiday) and during the New Year holidays (December 29 - January 3).
Ticket Price
Admission to the plaza is free. Tea ceremony participation fee applies (check website for current pricing).