What other travelers are saying about Higashi Chaya District
Historic tea house district with charming old streets and well-preserved buildings. Many tea houses here offer dessert and the popular gold leaf ice cream.
The area is quite big and the streets are photogenic, perfect for a slow stroll. I visited on a Wednesday, and I am not sure if it is a bad day to visit Kanazawa, but some of the shops were not open. I should have spent more time here and explored the area across the river too. Feels like there is more to see if you take your time.
The district is full of old tradition tea houses and is well known for its gold leaf ice cream. It was lovely to spend a couple hours walking around exploring the local stores. There is a tourist information centre which provides free information, bathrooms, water and a place to rest. It gets pretty busy (went in January) but it’s still enjoyable.
Great geisha town. Pretty chilled. Went there twice. Once late and once in the afternoon. When it was late and the sun was going down, it was really nice hut shops were closed. But great for photos then if you like posing. If not, and you like matcha tea, then come during the day. I had match at the central part and it was really good. The plain matcha was strong and smooth.
This is an old Samurai district in Kanazawa! The structures are idyllic of the time period and are best when visited when no one is on the streets (best pictures!). Not much was open when we were walking around during sunset, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places to eat. Truly a cool place to visit!
They call this he Little Kyoto. We love exploring and this is one of my favourites in Japan! I love architecture and the streets here are lined with traditional buildings. We were there in summer so it was hot but we still love it coming from cold freezing weather.
The Higashi Chaya District is one of Kanazawa's well-preserved Edo-period geisha districts, known for its historic wooden teahouses and atmospheric streets.
While geisha performances are less common than in Kyoto, some teahouses in the district occasionally host geisha performances or cultural demonstrations, often by reservation.
Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal to avoid crowds and experience the district's quiet charm. Evening visits offer a glimpse of the illuminated streets and traditional nightlife.
Look for Kaga Yuzen silk products, gold leaf crafts, and traditional sweets, which are all local specialties.
Sample local dishes like jibuni (duck stew), Kanazawa curry, and fresh seafood from nearby markets.
