Kanazawa has three geisha districts from the Edo Period. The well-preserved buildings are fascinating for the foreign visitor, especially since many are still operational tea houses where geisha entertain. Kazue-Machi 主計町 is the smallest, but with the Asanogawa River flowing by, provides a picturesque place to stroll.
Kazue-Machi Geisha District Cherry Blossoms
This Geisha district was officially recorded as Geisha district in 1869 and was featured in the popular Japanese movie “Maiko Haaaan!!!” released in 2007 which was about a salaryman infatuated with maiko and whose greatest goal in life is to play a party game called “yakyuken” with one. Kazue-Machi has also been designated as an Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings since 2008.
Kazue-Machi Geisha District (photo: Hideya HAMANO/flickr)
The maze of narrow back alleys is fun to explore, and in the evening you may even have the chance to see a geisha heading to an assignment or hear the sounds of shamisen and flute music through the evening. Though most of the tea houses are exclusive and require an introduction, there are some restaurants and ryokan where visitors are welcome.
Kazue-Machi is located between the Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge and the Nakano Hashi Bridge along the Asanogawa River. It is about a 15 minute walk east of JR Kanazawa Station. Alternately, it is a short ride from the station to the Hashiba bus stop.
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