Kazuemachi-Chaya district [主計町茶屋街]
Kazuemachi-Chayagai by Asano River
Photo by Kanazawa City
An alley in Kazuemachi-Chayagai
Photo by Kanazawa City
Kazuemachi-Chaya district ("Kazuemachi-Chayagai" in Japanese) is one of three old Geisha towns in Kanazawa. (Higashi-Chayagai, Kazuemachi-Chayagai, Nishi-Chayagai)
It is on the south side of Asano River flowing through Kanazawa city, and is located about 0.3 km west of Higashi-Chaya district and about 0.7 km north 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.
Street in Kazuemachi-Chayagai
Narrow alley in Kazuemachi-Chayagai
Higashi-Chaya district is the popular sightseeing spot and many tourist visit there.
But Kazuemachi-Chaya district is an active and small Chaya district.
It is unknown when Kazuemachi-Chayagai was built, but it is thought that the period was the same as Higashi-chaya.
The area is about 100 meters long along Asano River.
Stone steps in Kazuemachi-Chayagai
A street in Kazuemachi-Chayagai
Now, this district is one of good places to see traditional Japan and the river.
That is quieter than Higashi-chaya district.
An alley with stone steps is charming.
Four real Chaya are in the district, but you can't enter them.
But two Chaya are opened for a fee in the daytime.
But there are some ordinary cafes and restaurants in the old houses.
How to get here
By route bus (Kanazawa Loop Bus), about 12 minutes from Kanazawa station to Hashiba-cho stop stop.