Geisha District Tour

OVERVIEW

Visit Kanazawa’s historical entertainment district to watch a traditional geisha performance and browse a public market that has been continuously operating for more than 300 years. As you walk through Higashi Chaya, the guide will describe how the district once supported a huge number of teahouses where geishas performed the classical Japanese arts of singing, dancing and playing musical instruments. Most of those teahouses have been converted into restaurants, but the geisha tradition lives on as you will discover at the Enyukai Hall cultural complex. There, rigorously trained geisha – also known as geiko in Kanazawa – will show off their legendary skills and invite you to join in fun party games. It will be an experience that harkens back to the heyday of geishas. Meandering through the Omicho Market will also reflect a former time period as it opened in 1721. Omicho remains the city’s largest and liveliest market with nearly 200 shops, many of them offering tastings.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow a guide through a historical district full of teahouses where geishas once performed.
• Watch an authentic geisha performance at a cultural complex.
• Converse with the geishas, play entertaining party games and make a souvenir paper fan.
• Browse a vibrant city market that has been open continuously since 1721.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.