Nishi Chaya District: A Glimpse into Kanazawa's Geisha Past
Explore Kanazawa's Nishi Chaya District: a historic geisha district with preserved teahouses, museums, and traditional charm.
Nishi Chaya District, one of Kanazawa's three preserved teahouse districts, offers a serene glimpse into the city's Edo-era entertainment culture. Established in 1820, it once thrived as a place where geiko (Kanazawa's term for geisha) entertained wealthy patrons. Today, its main street, lined with traditional wooden teahouses, exudes a nostalgic charm, housing sweet shops, cafes, and operating geiko parlors.
A brief summary to Nishi Chaya District
- 2 Chome-25-18 Nomachi, Kanazawa, 2 Chome Nomachi, Ishikawa, 921-8031, JP
- +8176-232-5555
- Visit website
Local tips
- Visit the Nishi Chaya Museum to learn about the district's history and geisha culture.
- Stroll along the main street in the early evening to experience the district's enchanting atmosphere and possibly hear the sound of shamisen music.
- Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Ninja Temple (Myoryuji), a short walk from Nishi Chaya.
Getting There
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Walking
From the Myoryuji (Ninja) Temple, walk east along the main road. Turn right at the first major intersection. Walk straight; Nishi Chaya District will be on your left in about 5 minutes. No costs involved.
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Public Transport
From Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus (Left Loop), Hokutetsu Local-Line Bus, or West JR Bus to the 'Hirokoji' bus stop. From there, it's approximately a 3-minute walk to Nishi Chaya District. The fare for the bus is a flat rate of ¥210 for adults and ¥100 for children. Alternatively, the Kanazawa Flat Bus Nagamachi route stops directly at the 'Nishi Chaya District' bus stop.
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Taxi
From Kanazawa Station, a taxi to Nishi Chaya District will take approximately 10-15 minutes. Taxi fares in Kanazawa start at ¥690 for a small taxi, with additional charges of ¥80 for every 277 meters. The ride should cost under ¥1000.
Discover more about Nishi Chaya District
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