[1 Night] Stay at an Inn in Higashi Chaya District, Enjoy Kanazawa's Fine Cuisine and Bonsai Making

Your Journey Unfolds in Higashi Chaya District, a Historic and Atmospheric Area

Higashi Chaya District, home to the inn Maki No Oto Kanazawa, is just a 10-minute drive from Kanazawa Station. Established in 1820 and recognized by the Kaga domain, this historic teahouse district features ochaya, traditional gathering places where geisha entertain and showcase Japanese arts and culture. The main street, only a minute's walk from Maki No Oto Kanazawa, is lined with century-old teahouses and designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

A street lined with houses featuring lattice doors

Higashi Chaya District is filled with narrow, maze-like alleys that transport you back to the Edo period (1603-1868). As night falls and tourists leave, the area becomes quiet and serene. Occasionally, light spills from lattice doors, accompanied by the soothing sound of geisha playing the shamisen. The setting for this plan, Maki No Oto Kanazawa, seamlessly blends into this enchanting atmosphere.

Experience Kanazawa culture at a peaceful inn

Experience Tranquility in the Heart of the Teahouse District

Maki no Oto Kanazawa is an intimate four-room inn—two rooms in the main building and two in the annex—set in the historic teahouse district, offering a unique connection to Kanazawa's rich history and food culture. Housed in a traditional "eel's bed" townhouse with a narrow front and deep interior, the rooms open up toward a quiet, spacious courtyard. With tatami rooms and Japanese-style baths, you can unwind and experience the calm of traditional Japanese living, shoes off.

The inn's interior retains the atmosphere of a traditional townhouse, offering a peaceful retreat from the city

Enjoy a stay in either the NISHI room in the main building or the YUZEN room in the annex, just a brief 10-second walk apart. Both offer serene spaces that make you forget you’re in the city. NISHI, located on the second floor of the main building, features a tatami-floored living room and bedroom with views of the courtyard. YUZEN, on the first floor of the annex, also includes a tatami-floored living area and bedroom, with a courtyard view that can be enjoyed from the bathtub.

NISHI room: Japanese-Western style with a tatami living room and bedroom

NISHI room: Relax and enjoy the natural greenery

YUZEN room: A comfortable guest room with a seamless layout across the living room, bedroom, and bathroom

YUZEN room: Spacious with a view of the courtyard

A Fresh Culinary Adventure for All Five Senses

Higashiyama Wakon is on the first floor of Maki No Oto Kanazawa, a renovated old townhouse. This hideaway-like space is tucked away at the end of a dimly lit alley, accessed through a noren curtain. The kappo-style dining features a counter around the kitchen, where dishes are served one by one. One highlight is watching the cooking process, almost like a live show. At the table seats, you can also enjoy views of the illuminated courtyard.

Enjoy the skills and flavors of a master chef up close

Tomokazu Imai, the owner and talented chef of Higashiyama Wakon, represents Kanazawa with his innovative approach. While honoring traditional cooking methods, he adds his unique flair through delicate yet bold combinations of seasonal ingredients. For instance, he skillfully pairs sea urchin with lotus root, crab with chrysanthemum, and matsutake mushrooms with beef to create surprising flavors. The course includes over a dozen small dishes, offering a truly impressive culinary experience.

A selection of dishes highlighting Kanazawa's abundant ingredients

This plan lets you enjoy dinner not only at Higashiyama Wakon but also affiliated restaurants of Maki No Oto Kanazawa. As one of Japan’s top culinary destinations, Kanazawa boasts a rich food scene. Maki No Oto Kanazawa provides a carefully curated list of recommended restaurants, allowing you to choose from a variety of cuisines, including sushi, kaiseki, French, and teppanyaki.

A gourmet experience that delights all five senses in an elegant setting

Creating Bonsai Art for Modern Spaces

Bonsai is the ancient Japanese art of shaping trees in containers to bring nature indoors. Your instructor, Yoshikatsu Shimomura, a bonsai master from Mikunien in Fukui Prefecture, focuses on blending bonsai with modern life. His works, displayed in the hotel, aim to make bonsai more accessible and break its traditional image. In this plan, you’ll create your own one-of-a-kind bonsai piece, guided by Shimomura’s expert instruction.
*The experience takes place either on the morning of your arrival day or the following morning.

Shimomura says, "I want to offer more opportunities to experience bonsai."

Start by adding soil to the pot. Choose two types of trees and place them inside, securing them with wire. Fill the gaps with more soil and cover the surface with moss. Lastly, wrap wire around the branches and bend them into your desired shape. Shimomura will guide you through the key techniques for adding soil and shaping the branches.

The expression will change completely based on the tree you choose and how you shape the branches

The finished bonsai is a unique piece of art that reflects your personal vision. Display it in different spots around your room at Maki no Oto Kanazawa and enjoy the harmony it brings to the space. "As it’s a living thing, it’s important to care for it—place it in a sunny spot and water it when the moss dries,” says Shimomura. Through this experience of creating and nurturing "living art," you’ll connect with the Japanese spirit of harmony with nature.

Bonsai complements the elegant space of Maki no Oto Kanazawa

Immerse Yourself in Fine Food and Art in a Historic Town

During the Edo period, Kanazawa was a thriving castle town, known for its blossoming craft culture and rich food scene, thanks to the abundance from both mountains and sea. The teahouse district, with its enduring traditional charm, continues to captivate visitors today. This plan offers a chance to experience Kanazawa’s culinary delights and bonsai art, crafted with the city’s unique techniques, all within the elegant atmosphere of the teahouse district. Listen closely and discover the hidden stories behind the food and artistry that make this place so special.

Breathtaking art is found throughout Maki no Oto Kanazawa