A platinum tearoom, said to be the only one in the world, has been created as part of an exhibit in Japan.

Forming part of 2005 World Exposition Aichi, the tearoom includes panels of platinum and opened on Wednesday to visitors.

The platinum tearoom is three metres wide and 2.4 metres high and is covered in 10,000 platinum leaves, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun.

Visitors have all remarked on the beauty of the gleaming tearoom, which cost 70 million yen just for the materials used.

The luxurious room has been built at Rotary Hall in the Nagakute area and aims to offer a sanctuary away from expo crowds.

Kobori Sojitsu, head of the Enshu-ryu tea ceremony school, helped with the design, based on the universal concepts of purity and eternity and similar to the golden tearoom in the 16th century.