Drink in Kanazawa
|
Houses of tea
In Japan, a teahouse doesn't always serve just tea.
- 茶屋�
- The name may mean "tea shop", but the main selling point of a chaya is geishas, not tea.
- 茶房�
- A "tea room" (sabō) is a tea house that serves traditional Japanese tea and sweets.
- 茶寮�
- A "tea pavilion" (saryō) is where formal tea ceremonies are conducted.
- 茶店�
- True to the name, a "tea shop" (chaten) sells tea (the leaf) and its utensils, but doesn't serve it.
- 茶の間�
- The "tea space" (cha-no-ma) is what the Japanese call living rooms.
- 喫茶店�
- These days kissaten or "tea enjoyment shop" usually means a coffeeshop ? including Starbucks!
|
While in Kanazawa, don't miss the opportunity to sample tea ceremony tea (抹茶 matcha), served with either an incredibly dry and tasteless sweet (干菓子 higashi) or a rather more appetizing fresh one (生菓子 namagashi). Figure on �500-1000 depending on where you try it; the Higashi-Chaya geisha district probably offers the nicest teahouses.
The Katamachi area in central Kanazawa is wall to wall with bars of all shapes and sizes. Some buildings such as the Elle Building are almost exclusively full of hostess bars (often referred to as lounge bars) which may not always be foreigner friendly. Many bars will hit you for a cover charge anywhere upwards of ¥500 per person stretching into thousands. As the competition is stiff bars without a charge will often advertise it quite clearly. The St. Louis Jigger Bar run by Suntory is one such cocktail bar on the corner of the Scramble.
Ivory Coast Live House, 2-21-22 5F kanazawa katamati (Walk to where 157 meets water and head right on small street. Make the first right, it is on your right), ☎ +81 076-261-7800, . This is a Live House or Live Rock music bar in Kanazawa, one of the very few with live music in the city. The place is an absolute Gem, and is a great night out. The owner is a fantastic guitarist and singer and has played with the likes of the Allman Brothers, Cher, etc. in his youth. Now his restaurant is a cozy Rock and Roll retreat where the entire staff is a part of the band. All you can drink for ¥3,000 includes music charge and it is easy to spend and entire evening there in this warm atmosphere. The staff is really friendly, speak a bit of English, and patrons are all really fun as well. �
Machrihanish, Katamachi Area, Kigura-machi, +81 076-233-0072, 6:30PM-2AM, closed Su. The best selection of Single Malts in Kanazawa bar none. The English speaking owner spent several years working at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and has visited every distillery in Scotland! If whisky is your thing this is the place to visit. Draft Kilkenny is ¥900 a pint, cocktails start at ¥750 and the vast whisky selection kicks off at ¥700. The fish and chips is recommended. 2F, next to a bar called Cadeau look for the large white sign.
Nyumba, JR Station area, 2-19-4 Hon-machi, +81 076-233-7405, 11:30AM-midnight, closed Su. A stylish, modern family run cafe/bar near Kanazawa station. They do lunch specials for around ¥900 (11:30AM-2PM). Draft beer goes for ¥500 and they have a range of teas and coffees from ¥300. Cocktails are in the ¥600 range.
Pole Pole, 2-31-31 Kata-machi (Walk to where 157 (main street) meets water and head right on small street. Bar on the left 3 blocks ahead.), ☎ +81 076/260-1138. until 5AM, closed Su. Pole-Pole is a reggae music bar with a very friendly staff and laid back staff which all can speak English. Great for visitors to meet locals and other travelers. Good Reggae music and plenty of peanuts on the counter, the floor has a heavy layer of them. You can also eat the food from the Indonesian restaurant next door!Perfect for a laid back and fun evening, especially if you don't speak Japanese. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Kanazawa
