Kazuemachi Chaya District: Kanazawa’s Hidden Geisha Quarter Along the Asanogawa River
Kanazawa is famous for preserving buildings that remain from its heyday as a prominent cultural city during the Edo period. As a result, it has many historical and traditional spots throughout Japan, and visitors to Kanazawa are said to be able to fully enjoy the essence of Japan.
Since Kanazawa developed from a castle town that flourished during the Edo period, the city is characterized by many areas where you can feel history and tradition. There are areas where you can experience history firsthand and areas where you can actually experience tradition, making Kanazawa popular for its abundance of unique experiences.
This time, we will introduce recommended summer spots in Kanazawa and explain how to enjoy them.
Kazuemachi Chaya District is One of Kanazawa's Three Chaya Districts
Did you know that Kazuemachi Chaya District is one of Kanazawa's three chaya districts (famous entertainment quarters), along with Higashi Chaya District and Nishi Chaya District? During the Edo period, this area came to be called Kazuemachi because Tomita Kazue's residence was located here.
Kazuemachi Chaya District is characterized by its streetscape of narrow alleys and shops with senbonkoshi (lattice patterns with densely packed vertical slats), and is renowned for offering views of Kanazawa's distinctive scenery. This precious streetscape, which richly preserves Kanazawa's history, has been designated as a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Three Highlights of Kazuemachi Chaya District
Kazuemachi Chaya District has three main highlights. It's packed with Kanazawa's distinctive charms, including beautiful scenery and the presence of geishas who carry on Japan's traditional culture.
The Atmospheric Streetscape Woven by Asano River and Traditional Buildings
The first highlight is the scenery created by Asano River and the traditional streetscape.
Kazuemachi Chaya District is located along Asano River, which not only creates a sense of tranquility, but the long-established restaurants and tea houses evoke the good old Japan, creating a deeply atmospheric landscape.
Additionally, the slopes "Akarizaka" and "Kuragaizaka," which connect the main street to the back alleys, have the unique charm of back streets and have become tourist attractions. I have visited these slopes myself, and even during the day, the areas that receive little sunlight create an even more emotionally rich space, giving you the sensation of wandering into another world.
Why not stroll through the unchanged streetscape and let your thoughts drift to history?
Geishas as Inheritors of Japanese Culture and Traditional "Tea Houses"
The second highlight is the presence of geishas, who are inheritors of Japanese culture, and the "Tea Houses" to which they belong.
Geishas are practitioners of traditional performing arts that originated in the Edo period—women who entertain guests by performing songs, dances, and musical instruments at banquets. While geishas appear to live in a glamorous world, wearing gorgeous kimonos with shironuri (white face paint that covers the entire face to remove individuality) to enliven banquets, behind the scenes you can glimpse their professional side as they undergo rigorous daily training.
In Kazuemachi Chaya District, there are four "Tea Houses" where geishas belong:
• Enya
• Nakanoya
• Mayu tsuki
• Mshou
I once happened to see a geisha near a "Tea House." She appeared to be on her way to work, and her beautifully dressed figure was striking against the chaya district as dusk began to fall. If you want to see geishas, evening or later is your best bet.
Experience Geisha Culture in Tea House Parlors on Saturdays During the Period!
Source:Official website
Why not try experiencing geisha culture at tea houses on Saturdays during the period? While Kanazawa's tea houses generally don't accept first-time visitors, experience plans that anyone can participate in have been prepared to preserve tea house culture.
In the experience plan, you can watch geisha dances and ozashiki taiko (parlor drumming) up close, drum together with them, and experience ozashiki asobi (parlor games) and other activities. I also participated and was able to see gorgeous dances and enjoy communicating with geishas, spending a dreamlike time.
Please participate in the experience plan and feel Japan's precious traditional culture that you can't usually experience.
<Information>
- Dates: April 26, 2025 - March 28, 2026
Time: 13:00-14:00
- Location: Each of Kanazawa's three chaya districts
- Phone: 076-232-5555
- Fee: Adults 5,000 yen, University students and under 2,500 yen (includes tea and sweets)
- URL: https://www.hot-ishikawa.jp/event/detail_22547.html
The Beautiful Main Street That Begins to Light Up at Dusk
The third feature is the beautiful main street that begins to light up at dusk. Many shops in Kazuemachi Chaya District open at night, and as evening approaches, street lights and shop fronts begin to illuminate. The soft light that leaks from the shop lattices (architectural fixtures made by combining thin wood vertically and horizontally for doors and windows) onto the street creates a fantastical beauty.
When you stroll through the nighttime streets of Kazuemachi Chaya District that come alive at night, you can hear the sounds of drums and shamisen played by geiko flowing from somewhere, allowing you to fully enjoy the charming streetscape. You can definitely experience the quietly calm atmosphere that is unique to this area, unlike other tea house districts.
Three Must-Visit Spots When You Come to Kazuemachi Chaya District
Next, I'll introduce three spots you should definitely visit when you come to Kazuemachi Chaya District. Since you can learn about the history of Kazuemachi Chaya District, try visiting them while strolling through the streets.
Kyoka's Road
Source:Tripadvisor
The first spot, Kyoka's Road, is a approximately 600-meter path from Tenjin Bridge to Naka Bridge along the Asano River, named after the novelist Izumi Kyōka who was born and raised in this area. It also served as the setting for Izumi Kyōka's masterpiece "Gi-kekyo-ketsu," and many literature fans visit here.
Along the road, there are various attractions scattered throughout, including the Izumi Kyoka Kinenkan Museum, memorial monuments of characters appearing in Izumi Kyōka's works, and bridges with wooden fences that retain the atmosphere of the Meiji and Taisho periods.
By strolling along Kyoka's Road, you can fully enjoy Izumi Kyōka's worldview.
⟨Information⟩
- Address: Hashiba-cho Kazuemachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: None
- Phone Number: 076-220-2194
- Official Website: None
Izumi Kyoka Kinenkan Museum and Its Surrounding Streets
Source:Wikipedia
The second spot is the Izumi Kyoka Kinenkan Museum and its surrounding streets.
The Izumi Kyoka Kinenkan Museum has a permanent exhibition room, special exhibition room, mini theater, and museum shop, where you can experience not only his works but also Izumi Kyoka's life and unique aesthetic sense. Since the museum was built on the site where Izumi Kyoka lived, you can experience his foundation. The museum shop sells many limited goods, making them perfect souvenirs. My recommendation is the adorable goods featuring rabbits, which Izumi Kyoka loved.
The surrounding streets retain the streetscape from when Izumi Kyoka was born and raised, giving you the sensation of time-traveling to the past.
⟨Information⟩
- Address: 2-3 Shimoshinmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 9:30-17:00
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Phone Number: 076-222-1025
- Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/kyoka/
Naka Bridge
Source:Kanazawa Tourism Official
Naka Bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge on the downstream side of the Asano River that served as the setting for Izumi Kyoka's novels "A Bird of a Different Feather" and "Teraha Kyogen." Built in 1673 during the early Edo period, it was once called "Ichimon Bridge" because people had to pay one mon (an old monetary unit) to cross the bridge. Today, it's known as a popular photo spot for its charming wooden bridge.
I have seen the bridge illuminated at night. The lit-up bridge and the lights from the tea house district reflected on the surface of the Asano River were mystical, and I found myself lost in time watching the scene.
Since you can view a charming landscape different from daytime, please visit Naka Bridge both during the day and at night.
⟨Information⟩
- Address: Hashiba-cho Kazuemachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 24 hours
- Closed: None
- Phone Number: None
- Official Website: https://www.kanazawa-kankoukyoukai.or.jp/spot/detail_10194.html
Tours Guided by Locals to Other Historical Streets are Also Recommended!
Tours guided by locals to other historical streets are also highly recommended. The Kanazawa Half-day Historical Walking Tour allows you to visit historical sites throughout Kanazawa in a pinpointed manner within half a day. You will visit five famous locations:
・Omicho Market
・Kanazawa Castle Park
・Kenrokuen Garden
・Japanese Confectionery Museum
・Higashi Chaya District
This tour offers more than just learning about history through sightseeing - you can sample food at the market, appreciate seasonal nature at Kenrokuen Garden, and enjoy Kanazawa's charm from various angles. It will surely become an unforgettable memory!
〈Information〉
- Meeting Point: Familymart + Drug Comeya Kanazawa Musashi Store
- Tour Area: Kanazawa
- Start Time: 10:00
Recommended Restaurants Around Kazuemachi Chaya District Where You Can Taste Exquisite Kanazawa Gourmet
From here, we will introduce recommended restaurants around Kazuemachi Chaya District where you can taste exquisite Kanazawa gourmet cuisine. Experiencing Kanazawa's flavors at these renowned establishments will surely bring natural smiles to your face.
Kifune
Source:Hitosara
Kifune is a prestigious restaurant that has earned Michelin stars, and it's a Japanese restaurant that prides itself on cuisine with meticulous attention to detail in ingredients and tableware, themed around "encounters with emotions that can only be experienced here and now." The restaurant, renovated from a Taisho-era traditional house, is renowned for its atmospheric charm.
The menu offers three options each for lunch and dinner, with breakfast available exclusively on Sundays. I once had the "Yuzen" lunch course. The dishes featured seasonal ingredients as well as luxury ingredients like matsutake mushrooms and foie gras, allowing me to enjoy a gorgeous lunch experience.
All rooms are private, with operations limited to four groups each for lunch and dinner, making reservations essential. The second-floor seating is recommended as you can enjoy a luxurious dining experience while overlooking the Asano River.
〈Store Information〉
- Address: 1-9-69 Hikosanmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 11:30-15:00, 17:30-22:30, Sundays only 7:00-9:00
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Phone Number: 076-220-6131
- Official Website: None
Ichirin
Source:Tabelog
Ichirin is a popular restaurant known for Japanese cuisine that abundantly uses local seasonal ingredients. The interior, renovated from the residence where American printmaker Clifton Karhu spent his later years, offers the attractive feature of viewing the Karhu Collection.
I ordered the "Kanazawa Temari Sushi" for lunch. The bite-sized sushi, shaped like round temari balls, was so adorable that it seemed almost too precious to eat. With other dishes like simmered dishes, tempura, and tamagoyaki, the variety was abundant, so I took my time savoring each dish.
For dinner, there are not only single-item menus but also course options with 7-10 dishes to choose from. They also stock a variety of alcoholic beverages including local sake, so please enjoy the marriage of food and drink.
〈Store Information〉
- Address: 2-6 Kazuemachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: Thu-Fri 11:30-13:30, 17:00-22:30; Sat-Sun-Holidays 11:00-12:30, 13:00-14:30, 17:00-22:30; Tue 17:00-22:30
- Closed: Mondays, Tuesday lunch
- Phone Number: 076-208-3703
- Official Website: https://www.ichi-rin.com/
Sushi Asanogawa
Source:Tabelog
Sushi Asanogawa is a sushi restaurant that inherits the taste of Kazuo Morita, renowned as one of western Japan's finest sushi chefs. The sushi is crafted with carefully selected seafood from across the nation, nori from Tsukiji, vinegar from Kyoto, and an original blend of rice, showcasing their dedication to quality.
My recommendation is the "Maguro no Akami Zuke" (marinated lean tuna), directly taught by Kazuo Morita. The marinating technique that maximizes the tuna's umami is exquisite, and the harmony when it mixes with the sushi rice in your mouth is outstanding! Please definitely savor this renowned restaurant's flavors.
For both lunch and dinner, you can enjoy "Nigiri Osusume" (recommended nigiri set) which includes main nigiri sushi with small dishes and soup. The content changes based on daily purchases, so the variety of toppings is a daily surprise.
Seating includes private rooms and table seats, and at the counter, you can watch the master's skilled techniques and enjoy conversation while dining.
〈Store Information〉
- Address: 2-13 Kazuemachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
- Business Hours: 11:30-14:30, 17:30-22:00
- Closed: Wednesdays, Thursdays
- Phone Number: 076-222-1114
- Official Website: https://www.sushiasanogawa.jp/
Being Guided by Locals to Restaurants with Exquisite Cuisine Allows You to Enjoy Kanazawa's Food Culture More Deeply!
Being guided by locals to restaurants with exquisite cuisine allows you to enjoy Kanazawa's food culture more deeply. The Kanazawa Night Foodie Tour features guides well-versed in local knowledge who will introduce you to three hidden gem restaurants.
First, you'll head to a Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy dining at the counter. Here, savor traditional Japanese cuisine and carefully selected local sake. Next, while strolling through the fantastically atmospheric samurai residences at night, you'll head to the second restaurant. Here, you can enjoy "oden," a representative Japanese simmered dish popular for its gentle flavors. Finally, at a bar where you can experience "kikisake" (sake tasting), you'll enjoy comparing and savoring 3-5 types of Japanese sake.
Why not visit these three establishments with different personalities and satisfy your appetite with Kanazawa's various flavors?
〈Information〉
- Meeting Point: BEAMS (Korinbo Ramoda)
- Tour Area: Kanazawa
- Start Time: 18:00
