Higashi Chaya District

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Higashi Chaya District

Stroll through the atmospheric streets where teahouse culture continues, stopping at cafes and stores.

4.30 5

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It is one of Kanazawa's representative tourist attractions. The townscape with its beautiful Degoushi (latticed window) and the stone pavement has been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government.
It was originally founded in 1820 when Maeda Narinaga, the 12th lord of the Kaga Domain, built a teahouse district by grouping teahouses scattered around the castle town.
Today, traditional buildings from the Edo period still stand side by side. Cafes and stores selling Japanese sweets, traditional crafts, and miscellaneous goods are scattered throughout the town, and visitors can enjoy shopping and dining in the elegant atmosphere of the townscape. At dusk, the eaves of the houses are lit, creating another atmospheric atmosphere. No matter where you cut off the lights, the picturesque scenery continues, making it fun just to take a stroll.

Incidentally, a teahouse is a place where wealthy merchants and men of the town gathered at night in the Edo period to enjoy the entertainment of geisha dancing and shamisen playing. Kanazawa's teahouse culture has a tradition of "no first-time visitors," Even today, except for a few facilities that are open to visitors, no one is allowed to enter without an introduction.

Highlights

  • There are many places to rent kimonos in Kanazawa City, including the Higashi Chaya-machi district. You can also walk around the city in a kimono and enjoy the town's atmosphere.
  • Fashionable cafes and stores line the elegant streets.

Photos

  • The entire teahouse district is a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Photo by: Kanazawa City).

    The entire teahouse district is a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings (Photo by: Kanazawa City).

  • Dotted with photogenic spots (Photo by: Kanazawa City)

    Dotted with photogenic spots (Photo by: Kanazawa City)

  • The scenery after dark is also emotional (Photo by: Kanazawa City)

    The scenery after dark is also emotional (Photo by: Kanazawa City)

  • Kimonos go well with the emotional atmosphere of the town.

    Kimonos go well with the emotional atmosphere of the town.

  • Lots of picturesque landscapes

    Lots of picturesque landscapes

Reviews

5

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    Higashi Chaya District is full of history and culture. Visiting here really let me feel the charm and elegance of traditional Japan.

    Compared to Kyoto, I actually love everything about Kanazawa even more! 🥰

    At night, when the crowds are gone, Kanazawa's tea district feels especially peaceful and has a totally different charm.

  • This is the largest and most charming of Kanazawa's three teahouse districts. There are plenty of gold leaf products and foods to check out.

  • When you visit Higashi Chaya District, you have to get a gold leaf ice cream from Hakuichi! I also picked up some edible gold leaf to take home—just sprinkle it on your food and it instantly looks fancy.

Learn More

Details

Name in Japanese
ひがし茶屋街
Postal Code
920-0831
Address
Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa
Telephone
076-232-5555 (Kanazawa City Tourism Association)
Hours
Walk anytime
Directions
Take a city bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at Hashiba-cho and walk 6 minutes.
Official Website
Official Website (English)