Katsuyama Castle Museum

We stayed in several beautiful hotels so far, but this was the best place we kept talking about afterwards. The location is extraordinary. During the day, Higashi Chaya is one of Kanazawa’s most visited areas, but early in the morning and after the crowds leave, it becomes quiet and almost completely different. Being able to step outside our own machiya and experience the district at those hours felt incredibly special. The house itself is beautifully considered. It still feels unmistakably like an old Kanazawa machiya, yet everything is refined, comfortable and contemporary. The craftsmanship and artworks throughout the house never felt like decoration for a hotel — they felt naturally part of the space. Having the entire house to ourselves also gave the stay a level of privacy that we really appreciated. The beds were very comfortable, everything was spotless, and check-in was effortless. Preparing matcha in the house in the evening was one of those small experiences that made the stay feel completely different from a conventional hotel. If you are coming to Kanazawa, I would strongly recommend staying here rather than simply visiting Higashi Chaya during the day. For us, the house and the neighborhood became one of the highlights of Kanazawa itself.