Mar 4, 2015 - 1 min read

Stone Paved Streets of Kanazawa

Kanazawa's most iconic entertainment district

By Masayoshi Hirose

Community writer

Translated by Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

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

Lamp light spilling from Asano River Bridge

The view seen from Higashi Yamakagan Ryokuchi Park

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

Mysterious lights reflected on the river surface

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

Once again, I looked at Asano River Bridge from Kazue-machi Town

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