Kanazawa | Nishi Chaya District, a street preserving the charm of the Edo period.

✓ Nishi Chaya District One of Kanazawa's three major chaya districts, Nishi Chaya District may be smaller in scale, but its approximately 100-meter-long bustling street is lined with lattice-fronted chaya buildings that retain the rich atmosphere of the Edo period. The main street is adorned with two-story wooden chaya structures, and as evening falls, the sound of shamisen music fills the air, creating a unique ambiance. The Kanazawa Nishi Chaya Museum recreates the architecture of the chaya from that era, allowing visitors to explore the interior and experience the banquet scenes, making it a must-visit attraction. Additionally, Nishi Chaya District boasts the highest number of geisha among the three chaya districts. The wooden Western-style building "Nishi Kenban Office" serves as a practice venue and office for geisha, though it is usually not open to the public. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of geisha entering or leaving the tea houses.