Tsuchiya Cafe

Inside Tsuchiya Cafe

Tsuchiya Cafe sits quietly along the river in the traditional 主計町 area of Kanazawa, offering a peaceful spot to pause amid the rhythmic flow of historic streets and water. This cafe’s charm is rooted in its thoughtful connection to place: the interior combines subtle traditional touches like tatami mats with large windows that open out to both the river and the distinctive local architecture, creating a calm atmosphere perfect for slowing down.

The menu highlights simple yet inviting options such as carefully brewed coffee, refreshing ice cream, and a subtly sweet ぜんざい (red bean dish) alongside amazake—a fermented rice drink that tends to appeal to visitors interested in local flavors and gentle sweetness over strong alcohol content. The cafe feels well suited for those who want to enjoy a quiet moment, possibly in the afternoon when the soft light fills the upstairs seating with views over the water and the charming streets below.

Tsuchiya’s service stands out for its warmth and attentiveness, with staff who are patient and helpful—English menus are available, which makes ordering smooth even for travelers unfamiliar with Japanese. The modest pricing invites a relaxed stop rather than a rushed one, encouraging visitors to linger or quietly observe the flow of daily life along the riverside.

This spot is particularly appealing for people who appreciate a gentle break from exploring Kanazawa’s historic districts, especially those who enjoy pairing traditional drinks like amazake or hojicha with light sweets in a softly lit, tatami-matted setting. Given its riverside location and the nearby quiet street, early evenings or rainy days can offer especially peaceful visits, contrasting with the busier moments in the city’s main tourist areas.

Highlights & Local Essentials

Highlights

Great coffee

What they serve

Alcohol

Beer

Coffee

Wine

Best for

Dessert

Seating

Table service

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car park

Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Wheelchair-accessible seating

Parking

Free parking lot

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

Closed

Friday

Closed

Saturday

12:00 PM - 06:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 05:00 PM

What Locals & Travelers Say

59 Reviews

Izara Williams

23 Dec 2025

I found this cafe alongside the river. I loved the look of the decor so I decided to have some amazake there (one of my favourite Japanese drinks). The man who served me was very kind and hospitable and the amazake came with what I believe was a cup of hojicha and a red bean sweet. The upper floor has a lovely view onto the traditional street on one side and the river on the other. Some of the seats upstairs are designed for kneeling with low tables which I found really enhanced the peaceful experience and I felt very grounded as I enjoyed my drink. Many thanks to the owner for maintaining this beautiful rest place!

Kimberley Brook

22 Dec 2025

This cafe was awesome! The historic beauty, amazing service, & fantastic food & drinks made our stop here very memorable! Would highly recommend!

Adrian ASD

03 Nov 2025

Very beautiful and hidden find on a rainy day in Kanazawa. Beautiful Interior with reasonable prices and a very friendly owner.

Alex

31 Oct 2025

As soon as I arrived in Kanazawa, I strolled along the riverside toward the historic Higashi Chaya district. On the way, I discovered Tsuchiya Café, a charming traditional spot with windows opening onto the water. I ordered a coffee, while my friend chose amazake—a gently sweet, velvety drink made from fermented rice, often referred to as “sweet sake,” though it contains little to no alcohol.

Stephanie Brown

13 Oct 2025

This is a great spot to stop for a cup of tea or coffee in Kanazawa. The upstairs seating area overlooks the river and the room is decorated nicely and covered in tatami mats. The man serving is was very nice and there is an English menu for easy ordering. The street that this shop is located is lovely, one of our favorites in the town.

Yang Xinrong

11 Oct 2025

Visited two weeks ago, owner served us and was very kind. The space is a calm respite after a long day of walking. I loved the red bean dumpling dessert, very tasty. We sat upstairs that had a view of the river. When asked for a dinner recommendation, he happily obliged to make a booking for us! We appreciated his kindness. Be sure to drop by!

Joaquin Diaz

23 Sep 2025

Very cozy and relaxing place to stop for a drink. The matcha and amasake were delicious and the owner is very welcoming and friendly. Highly recommended.

Shells 8

13 Sep 2025

Beautiful place, the owner is very kind and the river view from the 2nd floor is amazing and relaxing.