Kintsuba Nakataya Higashiyama Chayagai

Kintsuba Nakataya represents one of Kanazawa's enduring confectionary traditions, established in 1934 by the Nakada family. The shop occupies a beautifully preserved machiya—a traditional wooden townhouse exemplifying Edo-period architecture—at the gateway to the historic Higashiyama Chayagai geisha district. The first floor operates as a retail store selling the company's wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), while the second floor houses Wami, a sit-down sweet shop. The signature kintsuba is prepared using high-quality Hokkaido Dainagon azuki beans, which hold their integrity during boiling and carry natural sweetness. Popular items extend beyond classical kintsuba to include cheesecakes featuring these beans and tarts topped with various pulses (chickpeas, green peas, walnuts). The business hours run 9:00–17:00 daily (last orders 16:00), positioning it as a convenient stop for visitors exploring the adjacent historic district.