Stone Paved Streets of Kanazawa

Kanazawa's most iconic entertainment district

Takako Sakamoto Mar 04, 2015 - 2 min read

<p>Higashi Chaya-machi streets still have the feel of the castle town of Kaga Hyakumangoku (the alias of Kaga Domain in feudal Japan)</p>

<p>Lamp light spilling from Asano River Bridge</p>

<p>The view seen from Higashi Yamakagan Ryokuchi Park</p>

<p>The stone-paved street along Asano River in Kazue-machi Town retains the shadow of its former self</p>

<p>Nakano Bridge in Kazue-machi Town</p>

<p>Mysterious lights reflected on the river surface</p>

<p>In this old town, there remain houses with beautiful latticed bay windows called, 'Kimusuko'</p>

<p>Once again, I looked at Asano River Bridge from Kazue-machi Town</p>

On the first day of my trip to Hokuriku Region in February 2015, after appreciating the beautiful night-time illumination at Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, I headed for Higashi Chaya-machi, the old entertainment district which still has the feel of the old castle town of Kaga Hyakumangoku, the Kaga Domain of feudal Japan.

At twilight, dim lights are lit in the chaya (teahouses), and the sound of shamisen (Japanese guitar) and drums can sometimes be heard on the streets. When I visited, the streets were quiet, but I could hear the occasional voices of people talking under the warm light inside the chaya houses. Shimmering lights reflected on the river created a sensuous, bewitching atmosphere in an old town. A quaint Hanamachi (old entertainment district) like this suits stone paved streets!

Ancient City Kanazawa 1. Delicacies of Noto Peninsula 2. Drum Gate of New Kanazawa Station 3. Symmetrical Beauty at Kenrokuen 4. Stone Paved Streets of Kanazawa

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Find out more about Higashi Chaya District.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...