Higashi-Chaya district [ひがし茶屋街]
Main Street of Higashi-Chayagai
Photo by Kanazawa City
An alley in Higashi-Chayagai
Photo by Kanazawa City
Higashi-Chaya district ("Higashi-Chayagai" in Japanese) is one of three old Geisha towns in Kanazawa. (Higashi-Chayagai, Kazuemachi-Chayagai, Nishi-Chayagai)
It is on the north side of Asano River flowing through Kanazawa city, and is located about 1 km northeast of Kanazawa Castle Park.
"Chaya" is a restaurant with entertainment by Geisha.
Geisha entertains the guests, and shows traditional Japanese dances and songs.
(It is not a house of prostitution.)
Basically, only regular guest can enter Chaya.
So general tourist can't enter Chaya.
Geisha performance in Chaya
Photo by Kanazawa City
A chaya 'Shima'
Photo by Kanazawa City
Higashi-Chayagai was built in 1820, and is the largest among three districts in Kanazawa.
The main street is about 150 meters long from east to west, and many old wooden two-story Japanese-style houses along the street.
There are some ordinary cafes and restaurants in the old houses.
Especially, the cafes of Japanese sweets and ice cream are popular.
A room in chaya Shima
Photo by Kanazawa City
Japanese sweets with gold leaf in Kaikaro
Six real Chaya are in the district, but you can't enter them.
But two Chaya are opened for a fee in the daytime.
They are Shima and Kaikaro, and you can see the inside of Chaya.
(Of course, you can't meet Geisha.)
At that time, tea room is opened.
Especially, in Kaikaro, you can taste Japanese sweets coated with gold leaf.
How to get here
By route bus (Kanazawa Loop Bus), about 12 minutes from Kanazawa station to Hashiba-cho stop.
