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Higashi Chaya
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · JP

Higashi Chaya

Getting around: About a 15-20 minute walk from Kanazawa Station, or take the Kanazawa Loop Bus to the Hashiba-cho stop.
Hours: An open historic district; individual teahouses and shops generally open around 9am-5pm or 6pm.

Higashi Chaya is Kanazawa's largest preserved geisha entertainment district, with narrow streets lined by wooden latticed teahouse facades dating to the early 1800s. Several former teahouses are now open to the public as museums or shops, including Shima and Kaikaro, letting visitors see the ornate gold-leafed interiors once used for entertaining guests.

The district is also known for gold leaf products, since Kanazawa produces most of Japan's gold leaf, and shops here sell everything from gold-leaf ice cream to cosmetics and crafts.

Higashi Chaya FAQs

Can I go inside the old teahouses?

Yes, several former teahouses like Shima and Kaikaro are open as paid museums showing traditional geisha entertainment interiors.

Why is gold leaf associated with this area?

Kanazawa produces the vast majority of Japan's gold leaf, and Higashi Chaya has many shops selling gold leaf crafts, cosmetics, and food.

Is there an entrance fee for the district?

Walking the streets is free; individual teahouse museums charge their own small admission.

Are geisha performances still held here?

Some teahouses still host private geisha entertainment, though it's typically by reservation rather than casual walk-in.

How long should I plan for a visit?

About 1-1.5 hours to walk the streets and visit a teahouse or two.

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