basic information

A chaya (lit. teahouse) is an exclusive type of restaurant where guests are entertained by geisha who perform song and dance. During the Edo Period, chaya were found in designated entertainment districts, usually just outside the city limits.

Kanazawa has three, well preserved chaya districts, Higashi Chayagai (Eastern Chaya District), Nishi Chayagai (Western Chaya District) and Kazuemachi. They are charming places with wooden buildings and paved streets reminiscent of another era. Each district still has operating chaya, and you may happen to see a geisha in the early evening as she travels to one of her engagements.

Higashi Chaya District

Nishi Chaya District

The Higashi Chaya District is the largest and by far the most interesting of the three districts. Two chaya, the Shima Teahouse and Kaikaro Teahouse, are open to the public. Other buildings along the central street now house cafes and shops. One of the shops, Hakuza, sells gold leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa, and displays a tea ceremony room which is completely covered in gold leaf.

The Nishi Chaya District, a short walk from both the Nagamachi samurai district and Ninja Temple, is much smaller and offers less to see. There is a museum, the Nishi Chaya Shiryokan, which displays the history of the district and is a meeting place for free tours of the area (Japanese only).

The third district, the Kazuemachi Chaya District has the smallest number of preserved buildings and consists mainly of restaurants and chaya. It is located a short walk across the river from the more interesting Higashi Chaya District.

Higashi Chaya District:

	Shima Teahouse 30 meters down the north side of the street Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 Closed: No closing days Admission: 400 yen A preserved tea house, which has been converted into a museum. The rooms where geisha would perform and the kitchen are on display along with various instruments and items used by the geisha.
	Kaikaro Teahouse 100 meters down the south side of the street Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 Closed: Tuesdays (except national holidays) Admission: 700 yen The Kaikaro Chaya is still an operating tea house, but opens its doors to the public. Tea service is included with admission.
	Hakuza Gold Leaf Store A few steps from Shima Teahouse Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 Closed: No closing days A shop selling gold leaf products, a specialty of Kanazawa. Inside the shop is a traditional Japanese warehouse which has been turned into a tearoom and completely covered inside and out with gold leaf.

Nishi Chaya District:

Nishi Chaya Shiryokan At the southern end of the district Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 Closed: No closing days Admission: Free This converted chaya houses a museum with a model tea room and exhibits about the history of the district.

Any advice or questions? Voice them in the forum!

how to get there

The Higashi Chaya and Kazuemachi districts can be accessed by the Kanazawa Loop Bus in about 12 minutes from Kanazawa Station. Get off at Hashibacho bus stop, from where either district can be reached in a five minute walk.

The Nishi Chaya District is located a short walk from Hirokoji bus stop, reached in a 20 minute bus ride from Kanazawa Station (East Exit bus stops numbers 7 to 9).

How to get to and around Kanazawa

news and reports

Kanazawa Cherry Blossom Report April 13, 2009

travel community

Users who have been to Kanazawa: 249
Users who have been to Chaya Districts: 104

3rd of 9 most visited sights in Kanazawa.
157th of 509 most visited sights nationwide.

Rating by users:		recommended (83/100, 62 votes)
Rating by staff:		recommended
Overall Rating:		outstanding

User Feedback We constantly strive to keep japan-guide.com up-to-date and accurate, and to find ways to improve the user experience. If you have any updates, suggestions, corrections or opinions, please let us know:

hotels & ryokan

Kanazawa Central Hotel A comfort hotel, 3 min walk from Kanazawa Sta. Free LAN Internet and fine amenities in room. Public baths. Helpful staff. Kanazawa Hakuchoro Hotel Perfect location for sightseeing in Kanazawa. Easy access to Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen.

english links

japanese links