Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa

In the Edo Age, TOKUGAWA Family who ran the EDO Bakufu, was the largest feudal lord at that time with four million koku of rice. Kanazawa was the capital of Kaga Domain with one million koku of rice. MAEDA Family governed Kaga domain during the Edo Age and was the second largest feudal lord after TOKUGAWA Family.
 "Koku" is a unit of volume, corresponding to 180 litter.

As Kanazawa was not destroyed in World-War II, a couple of historical districts remain in the city. Higashi Chaya District, "Higashi-Chayamachi", is one of the typical and most popular historical districts in Kanazawa City.

Square space is located at the entrance of Higashi Chaya District.

If you turn at the corner of the square space, you are in the heart of Higashi Chaya District with remaining the atmosphere of the Edo Age.

Old houses in Higashi Chaya District

"Chaya" means places of feasts and entertainment for high class Samurais and wealthy merchants. "Geisha", traditional female entertainers, performed dances and played Japanese traditional musical instruments while serving excellent meals and Japanese sake.

Decorations are displayed to welcome guests at the entrance of each house.

"Shima" was one of the "Chaya" houses in the Edo Age and is now open to the public.

"Shima" was built in 1820 and is now designated as an important property of Japan. If you go up to the second floor, "Hiroma", the main room for the guest, and "Hikaenoma", anteroom, are located.

Inside of "Shima"

When a guest had a seat in front of the alcove, the fusuma doors were opened. Geisha ladies showed up in the front of a golden folding screen and they started the entertainment.

The quality of musical instruments and cultural level of Geisha ladies were very high. Guests were also expected to have high cultural knowledge and behavior. Even though you were rich enough, you could not experience entertainment at Chaya without an introduction from other guests. With this kind of system, they maintained their cultural level.

The wealth of Kaga Domain also kept such a high level of cultural activities.
"Higashi Chayamachi" is designated as an important preservation district of historic buildings.

How to get there
To Higashi Chaya District, take a Hokutetsu Bus at the seventh bus stop to the east side of Kanazawa Station. Or, take a "Kanazawa Shuyu Bus", Kanazawa Loop Bus. You can get off a bus at the Hashiba-Cho bus stop.

Official English Website:
http://visitkanazawa.jp/mustgoplace/
touristspot/area4/1

Other Historical Sites near by:
Kazuemachi Chaya District
Ruins of Kanazawa Castle
Kenrokuen Garden
Nagamachi Buke Yashiki District