Taken on 5/2/2024

In Japanese culture, geisha houses have been traditional places for feasts and entertainment since the Edo period. Also referred to as “chaya”, they are where geishas entertained wealthy nobility and rich merchants. Geishas are female Japanese entertainers who perform dances and play traditional Japanese instruments.

The central part of Kanazawa was once dotted with a number of geisha houses, but in 1820, these were moved to three specific districts away from the city centre. The largest one of these – and arguably the most famous – is the Higashi Chaya district.

The geisha houses in Higashi Chaya have a stunning traditional appearance. A geisha house is characterised by the beautiful lattice on the outer side of its first floor, called “kimusuko”, and the Japanese-style guestrooms located on the second floor. During the Edo period, the construction of two-story buildings except geisha houses was prohibited, making their appearance all the more striking.

These historical geisha houses along with Kyoto's Gion and Kanazawa's Kazue-machi have been designated as Japanese cultural assets. No other geisha districts have been designated as cultural assets for Japan, making Higashi Chaya even more special.

The district includes facilities where you can see the interior of a geisha house that was built almost 200 years ago, as well as quite a few old buildings have been refurbished into restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. Additionally, it takes a mere three minutes on foot to reach the banks of the Asano River from Higashi Chaya, making it an excellent area to explore afterwards.

2024/5/2に撮影

金沢文化を代表する茶屋街のひとつ。和の趣を感じるフォトジェニックな写真を撮影するには最適なスポットです。着物をレンタルした女性観光客が伝統的な町並みをバックに撮影している姿が多く見られます。また、格式ある割烹や、お洒落な町家カフェ、伝統工芸品を扱うセレクトショップなどが立ち並び、金沢らしいグルメやショッピングが楽しめます。作家・五木寛之作品『朱鷺の墓』の舞台としても有名。外国人観光客も多く、情緒溢れる古い町並みは、国の重要伝統的建造物群保存地区に選定されています。

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