Higashi Chaya District

Attraction > Area

Higashi Chaya District is an area in Kanazawa Japan and is famous for Tea Houses (in Japanese "Chaya"). It is on the East side (in Japanese "Higashi") of Kanazawa so that is why the name is "Higashi Chaya".  Chaya are traditional places of tea and food where Geisha entertain people by performing dances and playing traditional Japanese musical instruments.  This area, the Higashi Chaya District, has been a popular eat, drink and entertainment district since the Edo period (1603-1868).  In the early days of the Edo period all of Kanazawa was was dotted with many Chaya Houses. However in 1820, the Chaya houses were moved into four distinct districts, three of which have been well preserved; Higashi Chaya Gai (Eastern Chaya District), Nishi Chayagai (Western Chaya District) and Kazuemachi,  the largest one being the Higashi Chaya district.  There are two tea houses, the Shima Teahouse and Kaikaro Teahouse, that are open to the public while other building are occupied by cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops.