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.
Traveler reviews
Pleasant historic district with traditional wooden buildings and narrow streets that give a glimpse of old Japan.
The area is known as one of Kanazawa’s former geisha districts, with preserved teahouses creating a charming atmosphere. Today many of the buildings host cafés, small shops, and sweet stores, making it a nice place to stroll and take a break.
Kanazawa is also famous for its gold leaf craftsmanship, and many shops in the district sell products decorated with gold leaf or desserts topped with it. The city produces about 99% of Japan’s gold leaf, which explains why it appears in many souvenirs and even on ice cream or sweets.
The district is relatively small and can be explored quickly, but it is enjoyable if you are already visiting Kanazawa.
Enjoy 😎🤓🧘♀️🙏
Walking through Higashi Chaya feels like stepping back in time. The preserved wooden 'kimagi' lattices are stunning, especially during the 'golden hour' just before sunset when the lanterns start to glow.
It can get quite crowded in the main street, so my best advice is to wander into the smaller side alleys—that’s where you really feel the quiet, historical atmosphere. I highly recommend stopping for some matcha.
Just a heads up: many of the traditional teahouses are closed to the public or require a reservation, but even just admiring the architecture from the outside is worth the trip. Try to visit early in the morning if you want photos without the crowds!
On the surface, this district of preserved traditional machiya timber houses is like a film set. You may as a visitor of Japan dismiss it because surely by now you would have or about to see plenty of similar cute looking and photogenic traditional Japanese houses. You may be right but what makes this one different is the hill that lays behind. It is full of shrines to visit. If I remember correctly there are thirty three of them on a trail. I only had time to visit four. One of them with a fabulous view across Kanazawa city. It is my plan to come back and complete the trail. When I have done that, I will report back, perhaps update this review.
Beautiful district with authentic cafes and little shops. Enjoyed our evening walk around, tried the matcha warabi mochi. If you’re new to the matcha mochi, it might taste weird, but if you’re a matcha lover, you’ll love it.
The Higashi Chaya District is a beautiful and atmospheric place to explore. The preserved wooden teahouses and narrow streets really transport you back in time, and it’s easy to imagine what the area must have been like during the Edo period. It’s especially lovely in the late afternoon when the light hits the buildings and everything feels warm and nostalgic.
There are plenty of small shops and cafés to browse, and it’s a nice area to walk around at a relaxed pace. The gold leaf products and traditional sweets make for interesting souvenirs.
The only reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that it can get quite crowded, and many shops feel a bit tourist-focused. Still, it’s definitely worth visiting if you’re in Kanazawa — just go earlier in the day if you prefer a quieter experience.
