Hitotei Teahouse
Emperor Kokaku (1780–1817) donated the Hitotei teahouse to Ninnaji (the temple’s 28th head priest was the emperor’s stepbrother). Unlike Ryokakutei, the other teahouse on the temple grounds, Hitotei features a full-length door, known as a “royal entrance.” The crawl-in entrance of Ryokakutei compels all those who enter to humble themselves when entering the teahouse. A full-sized entrance was provided for the Hitotei so that the emperor would not have to crawl into the room. The building is generally closed to the public, but groups can make reservations ahead of time to view its gardens, which have been described as “seas of moss,” and to learn about its architecture from the outside. The teahouse not only has its own garden, but is also incorporated into the temple’s North Garden, adding to its scenic ambience.