The Higashi Chaya District is the largest of the preserved teahouse districts alongside Nishi Chaya District and Kazuemachi. Chaya is Japanese for teahouse and in Kanazawa they can be found in the former entertainment districts where Geisha performed during the Edo Period. The area has been preserved to maintain a historic atmosphere. There are two teahouses open to the public, which are Kakikaro Teahouse and Shima Teahouse. The Kakikaro Teahouse still operates as a tea house and has tea served with the payment of admission. The Shima Teahouse was converted into a museum. Inside you can see the rooms where geisha once performed and the various instruments used by them. Many of the other buildings on the central street have been converted into shops and cafes for patrons to enjoy. One notable shop is the Hakuza Gold Leaf store where the Kanazawa specialty gold leaf products are sold. There is also a tea room that is completed covered in gold leaf.
