Higashi Chaya District is located about 10 minutes by bus from JR Kanazawa Station. It is the largest of the three teahouse districts (Higashi Chaya, Kazue-machi Chaya, and Nishi Chaya) that still remain in Kanazawa, and the old streets that retain the atmosphere of the Edo Period (1600/1603-1868) are collectively designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. Lined with fashionable cafes and souvenir stores, it is a popular destination for many tourists.

Higashi Chaya District is said to have originated in 1820, when the Kaga Clan gathered teahouses scattered around Kanazawa Castle in the present location and arranged them in an orderly fashion. Although the word "teahouse" may conjure up images of a modern-day café, it was actually a place where geiko (or geisha) entertained guests with their elegant arts, and where first-time visitors were denied entry unless they were introduced by a special person. Although some teahouses in Higashi Chaya are still in business today, the tradition of "no first-time visitors" still remains, and no one is allowed to enter the teahouses without an introduction. If you want to get an idea of what the teahouses are like, "Shima" and "Kaikaro" are open to the public and can be toured inside for an admission fee. Shima is designated as an Important Cultural Property, so it is definitely worth a look-see if you ever find yourself in the Higashi Chaya District.

In the Higashi Chaya District, visitors can enjoy unique Kanazawa gourmet, such as Kintsuba, a typical Japanese sweet found in Kanazawa, Jibuni, a local delicacy, and Oshizushi, a type of pressed sushi. Hakuichi is a store said to be the first-ever to sell "Kinpaku (Gold Leaf) Kagayaki Ice Cream," which features a very large piece of gold leaf on top of the ice cream, offering visitors a "true taste" of Kanazawa as Japan's largest gold leaf producer. The golden soft-serve ice cream is so photogenic that many tourists get a snapshot before devouring this special treat. Other unique stores include a wine bar run by a former Geiko and proprietress of a teahouse that is still in business today.

Visitors to Higashi Chaya can enjoy a variety of experiences such as strolling around the streets dressed in a kimono, partaking in a tea ceremony, or applying gold leaf, but the "O-zashiki play experience" is a particularly memorable highlight. Normally, it is difficult to enter a Kanazawa teahouse because of the custom of "no first-time visitors" however, with the aim of passing on the culture of the teahouse, the O-zashiki play experience, which includes viewing Geiko dancing and O-zashiki drumming, is open to the public on set dates. Anyone can participate, so please check the dates in advance and take part in this unforgettable experience.