October 31, 2026 : Afternoon Matcha at Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
© 安岡喜晴 (JoyShine)
Today we went to the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa.
We sat by the window facing the garden and had matcha.
In a tea bowl with a bamboo design, matcha.
On the plate, matcha cake and shiratama sprinkled with kinako.
Outside the window, a big tree covered in moss.
After that, we walked around the garden.
On the surface of the pond, the sky and the clouds were reflected.
Beyond the pond, we could see the main building.
We looked up from the base of the tree we had seen from the window.
The tree spread its branches high above the roof of the main building.
Before I knew it, the sky had clouded over.
We also looked around inside the building.
A bathroom with a wooden bathtub was still there.
According to the sign, this bathroom was added in the Taisho era, when the building was relocated.
After the building was extended, it was used as a rest house rather than a residence, so the bathroom was hardly ever used.
They say that's why the Taisho-era bathroom is still in good condition.
The white tiles in the changing room are also thought to be from the Taisho era.
The sign there said the company that made them has gone out of business, and they are no longer made.
After leaving the villa, we went into a spaghetti and cake shop on Kawaramachi Street.
We looked into the display case and chose a Sachertorte and a tart with purple cream piped on top.
On the wooden table, two mugs.
The same kind of mug as the one I wrapped both hands around the other day at the cafe in a Kyoto machiya on Higashinotoin Street.
At night, we had unaju at a restaurant in Shijo Omiya.
