A-MEI Tea House — Attraction in New Taipei

Yes, I came here because Spirited Away. Yes, I know it’s a tourist trap.

And yes... it was absolutely worth it.A-Mei Teahouse sits perched dramatically in Jiufen like it’s waiting for a Miyazaki character to float by on a soot sprite. From the outside, it’s every Studio Ghibli lover’s dream—red lanterns, dark wooden beams, and the kind of architectural drama that screams, “Come sip overpriced tea and contemplate your existence.”

The view? Unreal.

You're sipping tea while staring out at rolling green hills, tiled rooftops, and that sparkling northeast Taiwan coastline. It’s giving serenity with a side of cinematic fantasy.

Now, I’ll admit, the tea terrace itself is a little less whimsical than the outside implies. But hey, they can't all be hand-drawn backdrops, right? What it lacks in cartoon magic, it makes up for in ambiance and fresh air. And honestly, after elbowing through Jiufen Old Street’s snack-packed chaos, the calm up here felt like therapy.

The staff were warm, helpful, and impressively multilingual—switching between Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, and some pretty solid English. I got handed a Chinese tea menu at first, and when my brain short-circuited trying to decode it, they graciously pulled out the English version (toned down like the PG version of an R-rated menu).I was shown a beautiful bamboo menu of tea options, and while I longed for something dramatic like "Dragon Phoenix Pearl of Enlightenment" or "Ancient Cloud Mist Tears of Heaven," I was gently guided toward a basic tea set for 300 NTD (~$9 USD) that came with four small snacks. Was I slightly crushed that I didn’t get a full-on fancy tea ceremony with fog machines and the ghost of Chihiro’s parents turning into pigs? Yes. But also… I probably wouldn’t have known how to appreciate a super rare oolong anyway.

That said, the experience itself?

10/10 for slow tea sipping on a literal mountain.I got walked through the tea ritual: warm the pot, rinse the leaves, let it steep, pour gently, sip, repeat. A little kettle of hot water sat on a warmer beside me so I could refill at my leisure. The leaves? Generous. Easily 4–5 good steeps per round and enough in the pot for like 20 total—if you're committed to becoming one with the tea table.The snacks were… fine. Not mind-blowing, but they weren’t trying to be the stars of the show.

A-Mei Teahouse is about the mood, not the Michelin.I stayed for over an hour, just vibing—recovering from Old Street overstimulation, breathing in mountain air, and letting the tea melt my mortal stress. When I arrived, there was no wait. When I left? A line down the stairs. Yet the staff never rushed me. Not once.

TL;DR:

Touristy? Yes.

Overrated? Not at all.

Worth the hype? Absolutely—especially if you’re a sucker for Ghibli, views, and tea that comes with a personality.Pro tips: Sit by the edge for the best views.

Don’t stress about the fancy tea—you’ll still get a great experience.

Go early to avoid the crowds.

Be ready to chill… like, seriously chill.Because sometimes the best part of travel is sitting still with a tiny cup of tea and thinking, “Damn, maybe I am the...

Let's start with what I liked: Generous drink set with a huge pot of water and tons of kumquat juice syrup that would have lasted me a long time, alongside cheesecake for the set. Tasted decent but not what I wanted!

Please don't be like me: read the menu carefully! The drink set menu that comes with a wide variety of drinks (even if they mention 'TEA' like osmanthus etc.) is NOT flavours for the NT$300 set with plain hot or cold tea and traditional snacks.

This was the most confusing part for me, I thought it meant I could choose flavours of tea... Then I realised I ordered the wrong set. Was disappointed I had a cheesecake at a teahouse but ngl the generically featured 'Hot' and 'Cold' tea wasn't so appetising...

Interestingly, the pretty, clearly labelled menus I see in other reviews here wasn't what I got. I had plastic folders with printed papers slotted in. Could it be they screen you at the door and decide where to seat you based on purchasing power? (Might just be my theory but do share your experiences if you give it a go to help other travellers!)

Granted, it was partly my fault as I misunderstood the serving staff - she mentioned this is not tea (but I do see that some of the drink options include 茶 which is tea, correct me if I'm wrong?)

Also, the whole process of ordering was very rushed and made me feel flustered... Was there at 11.30am and it wasn't crowded yet, but I can understand that as a main attraction they probably just want to get things going. Having plain 'hot' and 'cold' tea didn't seem appetising at all and I should have clarified more on my part.

Lastly, note that the seats shown in most of the reviews aren't necessary what you'll get - I was seated on the upper floors with orange, garish plastic chairs that were filmsy and not the most comfortable... and glass tables that killed a little of the atmosphere.

If you'd like a little more personalised service and less commercialised, more authentic atmosphere, I'd head to one of the smaller tea houses off the main street, tapering off into the residential areas of the old town.

TLDR; one of the more overhyped tourist spots I've been to; it's not pricey for its status as an 'attraction' but the...

In the labyrinthine streets of Jiufen's Old Street, where time seems to weave itself into the very fabric of the cobblestones, there exists a sanctuary of tranquility known as A Mei Teahouse. Here, amidst the whispers of the past and the echoes of a bygone era, one finds solace in the gentle embrace of tradition and tea.

As I stepped into the teahouse, I was enveloped in an atmosphere that seemed plucked from the pages of a Miyazaki masterpiece. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the soft strains of traditional music, transporting me to a realm where reality and fantasy intertwined like delicate tendrils of steam rising from a cup of tea.

The service at A Mei Teahouse was as swift as it was gracious, with servers gliding effortlessly between tables like spirits in the mist. Their smiles were warm, their gestures fluid, as they guided me through the intricacies of the tea ceremony with an air of quiet reverence.

Outside, the heavens opened, and rain cascaded down in a symphony of sound and motion. But within the confines of A Mei Teahouse, I felt sheltered from the storm, cocooned in a sanctuary of serenity. As I sipped my tea, the rhythmic patter of raindrops against the windows became a soothing lullaby, a gentle reminder of the beauty that lies in nature's embrace.

In that moment, time seemed to stand still, and I found myself lost in contemplation, my thoughts drifting like leaves upon a tranquil stream. In the quiet intimacy of A Mei Teahouse, I discovered a sanctuary of the soul, a refuge from the chaos of the world outside.

As the rain continued to fall, I lingered in the warmth of A Mei Teahouse, grateful for the respite it offered from the storm. And as I emerged back into the world, I carried with me not just the memory of a meal, but a glimpse of a universe where magic and reality are one...