Now You're All Set! A Beginner's Guide to Enjoying Higashi Chaya District
The sight of rows of traditional townhouses with their distinctive, red-lacquered latticework is like something out of another world! It’s one of Kanazawa’s most popular tourist areas, and a must-visit for many first-time visitors to the city.
Furthermore, since the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, new shops and cafés have been popping up one after another, making it even more enjoyable to wander around, including the back alleys. Even if you’ve visited before, this is a place worth revisiting.
A local writer will guide you through the best ways to explore this neighborhood.
Be sure to check out this feature! The Latest Lunch Guide to Higashi Chaya District.
What is Higashi Chaya District like?
Higashi Chaya District is located about 2 km from Kanazawa Station, a 30-minute walk away. Designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, this area preserves the streetscape of what was once a bustling teahouse district. Today, many renovated traditional townhouses serve as shops, housing, souvenir stores, and restaurants.
Some people mistake it for a theme park because the streetscape is so beautiful, but it’s essentially a shopping district. There are no set opening hours or admission fees. However, most shops are open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
*Please note that eating while walking is prohibited in Higashi Chaya District (except in areas designated as preservation zones), so you are generally expected to eat within the premises of the shop. However, there are some places in the Higashiyama area surrounding Higashi Chaya District where you can eat your food on the go, so please check with the shop where you made your purchase.*
What is a teahouse like?
Although they are called “ochaya,” these are neither places to drink tea nor shops that sell tea. They are sophisticated social venues where geisha entertain guests with elegant and refined performances. There are currently five ochaya operating in the Higashi Chaya District, with over a dozen geisha, but Kanazawa still upholds the tradition of “no first-time visitors allowed”; unless you are introduced by someone special, you cannot enter an ochaya. At the “Kanazawa Asanokawa Enyukai Hall,” you can learn about Kanazawa’s tea house culture, including the history of the Higashi Chaya District, geisha entertainment, and the architecture of the tea houses.
How long does the tour take? What’s the best way to see the sights?
We recommend visiting Higashi Chaya District together with the Kazue-machi Chaya District, located across the Asanogawa River. If you’re just strolling through the streets, it takes about an hour. A recommended route starts and ends at the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge, taking you through Hiromi, Higashi Chaya District, Utasu Jinja Shrine, Kannon-machi Street, back to the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge, then on to Kazue-machi Chaya District, and finally down Akari-zaka.
However, if you stop to peek into shops that catch your eye or try the popular gold-leaf soft-serve ice cream along the way, two hours will fly by in no time. And since there are hidden-gem cafes and boutique shops not only on the main street but also in the surrounding alleys, I recommend exploring the area with a sense of adventure.
Please note that the location of the nearest “Hashiba-cho” bus stop varies significantly depending on the route. If you get off at a stop that is far away, head toward the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge first. The bus ride from Kanazawa Station to the Hashiba-cho bus stop takes about 7 minutes.
About Parking in Higashi Chaya District
The area faces National Route 359, with the “Higashiyama Tourist Parking Lot” for general use on the east side and the “Higashiyama Tourist Bus Parking Lot” on the west side. The general-use lot has limited spaces and is often full. There are also the “Higashiyama Riverside Tourist Parking Lot” and numerous coin-operated parking lots, but all of them can fill up on weekends and holidays. Kanazawa is a city with narrow streets, making it difficult to explore by car. We recommend using local buses or walking to get around.
Take Instagram-worthy photos! Key tips to keep in mind
The classic way to photograph Higashi Chaya District is from the square known as Hiromi. Be sure to take note of the intricate details of the houses, such as the latticework called “kimusuko.” Utasu Jinjya Shrine, located at the back of the district, has a wonderfully elegant atmosphere.
The Asanogawa River is lined with a series of photogenic bridges, including the pedestrian-only Naka-no Hashi Bridge, Ume-no Hashi Bridge, and the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge, a nationally registered tangible cultural property. At night, the bridges are illuminated, and the cherry blossoms in spring are truly spectacular.
The view of the Kazue-machi Chaya District from the opposite bank of the Asanogawa River is particularly striking. From the Naka-no Hashi Bridge, looking toward the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge, you’ll see the gentle, graceful scenery characteristic of the Asanogawa River—also known as “Onna-gawa” (Women’s River). As you venture deeper into the alleyways of the chaya district, be sure to capture “Kuragari-zaka” (Dark Slope) and “Akari-zaka” (Light Slope) on camera.
If you want to blend in with the atmosphere of this neighborhood and take some photos, I recommend changing into a kimono.
Enjoy a special experience in Higashi Chaya District
Here are the five most popular activities in Higashi Chaya District:
1. Strolling through the town in a kimono
2. Enjoying Japanese sweets and matcha tea at a machiya café (featuring stalls from long-established confectionery shops)
3. Experiencing tea house culture (including tours of “Shima” and the limited-time “Experience the Authentic Arts of Kanazawa Geisha”)
4. Enjoy shopping (there are many select shops housed in renovated traditional townhouses)
5. Try gold leaf application and other Japanese cultural experiences (traditional performing arts, traditional crafts, tea ceremony, incense ceremony, etc.)
These quintessential Kanazawa experiences, set against a classical backdrop, will make for wonderful travel memories.
We also recommend elegant evenings for adults. There are also casual bars and izakayas where you can drop in.
While the traditional teahouses in Higashi and Kazue-machi do not accept first-time customers, there are also casual bars and izakayas where you can drop in freely, some of which are housed in buildings that were once teahouses.
After having a drink, it’s romantic to stroll through the teahouse district illuminated by gas lamps. Why not enjoy a slightly more elegant evening in the teahouse district?
Even if the teahouse bars seem a bit intimidating, you can visit them with confidence for the first time by using the “Kanazawa Bimi” gourmet ticket.
（Text by Ken Wakai, Hokuriku Writer）
