Higashi Chaya District

Higashi Chaya District is an area in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Its exterior is so beautiful that some people mistake it for a theme park, but it is essentially a normal shopping street. Of course, there are teahouses, but only about five establishments today are the traditional, geiko-entertaining “ichigensan okotowari” (no first-time customers) type. However, two Edo-period teahouse buildings—“Shima” and “Kaikaro”—can be visited for a fee. If you’re just walking around to sightsee, you can cover the area in about an hour. Simply looking at the buildings with traditional wooden latticework (kimusuko) can make you feel as if you’ve time-traveled. There are also shops that rent and dress visitors in kimono, making a kimono stroll a popular experience. Workshops such as gold-leaf application and other Japanese cultural experiences are plentiful, so it’s also a favorite sightseeing spot for tourists. Access: about 10 minutes from Kanazawa Station. If driving, note that parking is limited.