Recommended machiya cafes and coffee shops in Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya-gai
Higashi Chaya-gai is a popular sightseeing spot in Kanazawa and is lined with the hottest restaurants and stores. There are many machiya cafes in old buildings, where you can relax while tasting special Japanese sweets and sweets. Here we introduce five of the best places to stop by during your stroll.
1kazu nakashima
Fruit daifuku (rice cake stuffed with whole fruits) is a specialty
This sweet shop is owned by "Nakajima," a Japanese sweets store established in 1881. The fourth-generation owner opened the store in 2016, offering a new style of Japanese confectionery. One of the most popular items is "Fruits Daifuku," made with whole seasonal fruits. In addition to the "Mikan Daifuku," which is 10 cm in diameter, there are always three to four varieties of Daifuku made with strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, and other seasonal fruits. The natural sweetness of the fruit can be enjoyed because the sweetness of the white bean paste is changed depending on the fruit. The freshness that fills your mouth is another secret to the delicious taste.
A relaxing space in a renovated Edo period warehouse
At the tables in the cafe, you can watch female Staff/staff members in kimonos making matcha (powdered green tea), which is very tasteful. In the back of the store, there is a room converted from an Edo-era storehouse with antique chairs and sofas, creating a cozy atmosphere. At the cafe, you will be thrilled by the fourth generation's playful Japanese sweets such as Daifuku, a daily-changing japanese sweet, and a luxurious green tea parfait. The jogashi that go well with local sake are also popular, with white bean paste kneaded with mascarpone cheese and flavored with black pepper and sansho (Japanese pepper) for a mature taste. This is a place where you can enjoy Japanese sweets in a new way.
- kazu nakashima
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1-7-6 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
From JR Kanazawa Station East Exit, take the Hokutetsu Bus (clockwise route) around Kanazawa Castle Town. 10 minutes by bus, alight at Hashiba-cho and walk about 5 minutes.
10:00-18:00
Thursdays
076-252-5280
None
2kureha
Hospitality with carefully selected Japanese sweets and powdered green tea.
Although located on the main street of "Higashi Chaya-gai," the teahouse "Kurenha" has the atmosphere of a hideout. It is one of the few places in Kanazawa where you can enjoy Kami-gashi (fresh confections) from Kanazawa's Japanese confectionery store "Yoshi Hashi," which is well-known at famous ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) and tea ceremonies. The menu is rich in variety and the matcha is authentic, using products from a long-established teahouse in Kyoto. The "matcha dango" and "matcha soft serve ice cream," which are made from a unique blend of matcha, are particularly popular for their deep, bitter flavor. In addition to sweet dishes, hot sandwiches and udon noodles are also available, making them perfect for a light lunch.
Kimono rentals are also popular as the restaurant is directly managed by a kimono store
The main store of Kurenha was established in 1776 by the long-established kimono store "Eritora. The store is therefore decorated with dyed paintings by Yusui Toku II, a popular Kaga yuzen artist, and has a store selling Japanese accessories on the first floor. While the first floor has a casual atmosphere, the second floor has tatami room seating that retains the atmosphere of a good old machiya (townhouse). The view overlooking the teahouse district is also attractive. The store also offers Kaga yuzen rental and dressing services, so taking a stroll through the teahouse district in kimono and taking a break at the teahouse is a chic way to enjoy yourself.
- Kureha
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- 1-24-3 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa MAP
- From JR Kanazawa Station East Exit, take the Hokutetsu Bus (clockwise route) around Kanazawa Castle Town. 10 minutes by bus, alight at Hashiba-cho and walk about 5 minutes.
- 10:00-17:00, summer season-18:00
- Wednesdays (open if Wednesday is a national holiday)
- 076-253-9080
- None
3issho
A long-established tea shop proposes hojicha (roasted green tea) to be enjoyed with all five senses
The store specializes in hojicha (roasted green tea) under the direct management of Maruhachi Tea House, which was founded in 1863. The store is named after Kosugi Issho, a Genroku-era haiku poet representative of the Kaga clan. In the cafe, visitors can enjoy seasonal Japanese teas and sweets, including the signature product, "Kaga stick tea. There are always three types of tea available, which are selected by pouring hot water over the tea leaves and sampling the aroma. Visitors can enjoy the tea with all five senses to find their favorite Japanese tea. The dried sweets that accompany the tea are also elegant and relaxing. The tea utensils made by artists and the tin plates used to serve the sweets are also a delight.
A modern space combining a coffee shop and a gallery
The face-to-face counter seating is a special place where you can enjoy communication through tea. Staff/staff members will be happy to teach you about the characteristics of tea leaves and how to make a delicious cup of tea, enriching your daily tea drinking experience. There is also a gallery inside the store, where exhibitions of local artists' works, such as vessels, flowers, and paintings, are mainly held. It is refreshing to see how the atmosphere changes from time to time. There is also a store in the back of the store that sells various types of Japanese teas made by Maruhachi Tea House. It is also a convenient place to look for souvenirs.
- Issho
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- 1-26-13 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa MAP
- From JR Kanazawa Station East Exit, take the Hokutetsu Bus (Kanazawa Castle Town Circular Bus "clockwise route"). 10 min. ride, 5 min. walk from Hashiba-machi Bus Stop.
- Coffee shop, gallery, shop 10:00-17:00 (L.O.16:30)
- Mondays and Tuesdays (closed on Wednesdays if the day falls on a national holiday)
- 076-251-0108
- None
4sabo soshin
An adult café specializing in coffee loved by locals
This café is always mentioned when talking about good coffee in the Higashi Chaya-gai area. The coffee is carefully brewed by hand drip using beans roasted by a long-established coffee shop in Kanazawa. The "Soshin Blend" is available in shallow roast or deep roast, and the iced coffee is made with water. The sweets to be enjoyed with coffee range from Japanese and Western sweets to anmitsu (sweet bean paste), cakes, and parfaits. In summer, shaved ice with homemade syrup and red bean paste is also available.
Relaxing coffee time in a teahouse-style store
In 2005, the store was the first newly built store in Higashi Chaya-gai. The two-story building, which incorporates teahouse architecture, has blended in perfectly with the old townscape over the years. The first floor has mostly counter seating with a low ceiling and a relaxed atmosphere, and the aroma of coffee wafting through the air is soothing. The second floor, on the other hand, has a high ceiling and a large window with a view of the teahouse district. Located on the main street of the teahouse district, it is a convenient place where you can casually enjoy a cup of coffee or other beverages.
- Sabo Soshin
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- 1-24-1 Higashiyama, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa MAP
- From JR Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Castle Town Tour Bus (clockwise route). 5 min. from Hashiba-cho stop.
- Open from 10:00 - varies by day (please check before visiting)
- Wednesday
- 076-252-4426
- None
Local Guide who was in charge of this article
- Koya Suzuki Active Kaga Men
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