Kai Zenkoji Monzen Chaya is a small teahouse just outside the gate of Kai Zenkoji, a historic temple in Kofu City, serving matcha alongside wagashi confections that incorporate Yamanashi's grape harvest, including a Koshu-grape daifuku that wraps sweet grape filling in a soft mochi shell. A light seasonal vegetable lunch set is available for visitors wanting more than a tea-and-sweets stop, drawing on produce from the surrounding Kofu Basin. The teahouse occupies a modest wooden building with a handful of low tables and tatami seating, giving it a quiet, unhurried character in keeping with its position at a temple gate rather than a commercial shopping street. There is no alcohol served; the focus stays on tea, sweets, and the simple lunch set. Reservations are not required, and the teahouse is open from 10am to 5pm, closed on Mondays. Prices are modest, from about ¥500 to ¥1,200, and the stop pairs naturally with a visit to Kai Zenkoji itself, one of the historic temples associated with Kofu's Takeda-clan heritage.
Signature dishes
- Matcha and Yamanashi grape wagashi set
- Seasonal vegetable lunch set
- Koshu-grape daifuku
Good to know
- Known for
- Temple-gate teahouse near Kai Zenkoji, serving matcha, grape-based wagashi, and a light seasonal lunch set
- Hours
- 10:00–17:00; closed Mondays
- Reservations
- Not required
Location
1-11-1 Chuo, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0031
35.6579, 138.5606 View on map
Highlights
- Wagashi incorporating Yamanashi's grape harvest, including a Koshu-grape daifuku
- Quiet teahouse setting just outside the Kai Zenkoji temple gate
- Light seasonal vegetable lunch set using Kofu Basin produce
- Tatami seating in a modest, traditional wooden building
Tips for visiting
- Combine a visit with touring Kai Zenkoji temple, directly outside the teahouse
- Try the Koshu-grape daifuku for a distinctly Yamanashi take on a classic wagashi
- Closed on Mondays
- Remove shoes before stepping onto the tatami seating area
Accessibility
The teahouse requires removing shoes for tatami seating, and the historic building has uneven traditional flooring, limiting wheelchair access.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a full restaurant?
It primarily serves tea and wagashi sweets, with a light seasonal vegetable lunch set also available.
Is it close to a major temple?
Yes, it sits directly outside the gate of Kai Zenkoji, a historic Kofu temple.
Is alcohol served?
No, the teahouse focuses on matcha, wagashi, and a light lunch set.
What are the hours?
It is open 10am to 5pm, closed on Mondays.