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Planning a go to to Kanazawa? We’ll present you round this historic metropolis and its fantastically restored Chaya Districts and samurai residences. And one of many three nice gardens of Japan, Kenroku-en.
Throughout our household journey to the northwestern half (北陸地方) of Japan, our first cease was the historic metropolis of Kanazawa (金沢). What makes this metropolis particular is its well-preserved authentic buildings. It is without doubt one of the few cities in Japan that remained untouched through the conflict.
Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is definitely accessible utilizing the Shinkansen line Kagayaki (かがやき). The journey from Tokyo is a fast 2.5 hrs. Earlier than this prepare was obtainable, going to Kanazawa from the Kanto space would have required over 6 hours.
On the Tokyo Shinkansen station, all of us bought tremendous excited when he noticed the interconnected Shinkansen. Our son has the Plarail (プラレール) for the connecting trains and has been eager to see them in actual life. In case you are , right here’s a YouTube video of the trains connecting.
The Kagayaki prepare has a futuristic design with fashionable facilities that aren’t on the N700 Shinkansen, together with adjustable headrests. The sinks have been very fashionable, with one spout for cleaning soap, one for water, and the final one for the hand dryer. There’s additionally a child diaper altering station inside the lavatory.
There are many electrical plugs on the prepare for many who must recharge their gadgets.
Earlier than we hopped on the Shinkansen, we loved the bento we bought on the Shinkansen platform. All through the journey, we loved Japan’s picturesque countryside, with quite a few tunnels punctuating the ultimate stretch of the journey.
Kanazawa Station: A Gateway of Magnificence and Comfort
As you arrive on the station, you exit into a big indoor plaza with numerous shops and eating places. The station is split into 2 sides. The primary facet is the gorgeous predominant entrance that was voted one of many world’s high 15 stations in 2011.
The principle entrance is a lined dome known as “Motenashi”, which symbolizes the wholehearted leisure of friends. In entrance of it are picket constructions known as “Tsuzumi-mon”, resembling the standard Japanese drum gates.
In case you overlook any souvenirs on the journey, no worries as you’ll be able to most likely discover them on the station whenever you depart. You too can choose up a scrumptious bento on your Shinkansen journey house.
Kanazawa Loop Bus: Handy and Stress-Free Journey
Not like many different giant Japanese cities, Kanazawa doesn’t have a subway system to conveniently take you across the metropolis. Nevertheless, the metropolis loop bus will take you to most vacationer spots, the RL (proper loop) and LL (left loop).
The fare will rely upon the place you get on the bus and the place you get off, which can be displayed on a display on the entrance of the bus. Alternatively, for simply 500 yen (youngsters) and 800 yen (adults), you may get a day move with limitless rides (as of 2023).
Should Go to Locations in Kanazawa
Throughout our transient one-and-a-half-day go to, we didn’t have the time to go to each spot. Nevertheless, we’ll give our high suggestions based mostly on the most effective order to maximise your time if you’re on a good itinerary.
Omicho Market (近江町市場)
In case you are coming from the Tokyo space, the prepare journey takes about 2.5 hours. When you depart within the morning, you’re more likely to arrive round lunchtime, so Omicho Market (近江町市場) is a superb place to seize some meals. From the principle entrance of Kanazawa station, board the LL route at Bus Cease #7. Get off the primary cease at LL1 and also you’ll end up on the market’s entrance.
Omicho market has been round for round 300 years and is famend for its large number of seafood and produce.
As Kanazawa is located close to the Japan Sea, it has an abundance of seafood that we don’t sometimes see within the U.S. One cool factor we noticed was when the fishmonger skillfully scraped tuna meat off its bone to serve to the group.
Moreover the meals stands, there are additionally flower retailers and numerous stands that provide native specialties.
For lunch, we went to the extremely reviewed Yamasan (山さん) and the sushi was incredible. The seafood was tremendous recent and the fish had a pure sweetness to it. Kanazawa is known for its seafood and we weren’t upset.
By the point we left the restaurant, there was a line with over 10 individuals ready to get their piece of Kanazawa’s prized seafood. In case you are in search of one thing small, Omicho Market has numerous meals stalls providing tasty snacks and bites to eat.
One of many distinctive skewers we tried was blowfish! My son’s been fascinated with blowfish since he was just a little boy, so he was tremendous excited to strive, however a bit apprehensive about being poisoned! Protected to say the blowfish was correctly ready and suitable for eating!
Kanazawa Fort Park (金沢城公園): Kanazawa’s Wealthy Historical past and Structure
From Omicho market, you’ll be able to simply stroll over to the Kanazawa Fort Park (金沢城公園). The doorway charge is 310 yen for adults and simply 100 yen for youngsters (as of 2023).
Though the fortress itself not stands, having been burnt down and rebuilt quite a few occasions all through historical past, the park remains to be house to many vital constructions that performed a giant position in Kanazawa’s historical past. Notable monuments embody the Ishikawamon Gate (石川門) and the Gojikken Nagaya (五十間長屋), 90-yard-long warehouse. They have been each constructed over 100 years in the past.
One distinctive factor concerning the fortress is its white lead tiles in comparison with the black tiles you sometimes see on Japanese castles. These tiles have extra energy and sturdiness in opposition to the snow.
Most of the buildings recreated on-site have been constructed utilizing the standard methodology by specialised craftsmen. You’ll be able to see an instance of the fortress wall dissected, showcasing the extremely detailed development strategies up shut.
There are free guides in English obtainable on web site and we extremely advocate utilizing them. They inform you concerning the historical past of Kanazawa and the highly effective Maeda clan household that dominated it through the Edo interval.
Kenroku-en Backyard(兼六園): Kanazawa’s Pure Magnificence
Linked to the fortress by a sky bridge is one in all Japan’s Three Nice Gardens, Kenroku-en (兼六園). Initially, Kenroku-en was established because the non-public backyard of the Maeda Household, someday within the 1600s. The doorway charge is 320 yen for adults and simply 100 yen for youngsters (as of 2023).
The backyard’s identify derives from having all 6 traits of an excellent backyard – spaciousness, serenity, venerability, scenic views, refined design, and coolness. It stretches an enormous 25 acres, Kenroku-en has a formidable panorama and a beautiful harmonious design. One among its notable options is the two legged lantern within the nook of Kasumigaike (霞ヶ池).
Kenroku-en is wealthy with historical past and there’s a lot to discover so for those who want to be taught extra, you’ll be able to learn extra right here for particulars.
twenty first Century Museum of Up to date Artwork (金沢21世紀美術館)
After searching the backyard, head over to the twenty first Century Museum of Up to date Artwork (金沢21世紀美術館) proper subsequent door. The distinctive round museum capabilities each as a gallery and neighborhood house.
You’ll be able to be taught extra concerning the present reveals on show on the museum’s web site.
By the point you completed searching the museum it’ll be getting late so head again to Kanazawa station and discover a scrumptious izakaya to get pleasure from your meal. I’ll speak extra concerning the meals we had afterward within the publish.
For day 2, I like to recommend beginning on the Higashi Chaya District, a standard geisha district that’s fast to get crowded with vacationers proper from the early morning.
Higashi Chaya District – Japanese Teahouse District (東茶屋街): A Step Again in Time
From Kanazawa station, hop on the RL bus and get off at RL5 for Higashi Chaya (東茶屋街).
What’s Chaya? Chaya refers back to the conventional tea homes the place Geisha have been performing for the reason that Edo interval and even to at the present time.
As you stroll alongside the streets lined with machiya-style constructions (conventional picket townhouses), it takes you again in time.
Whereas we didn’t have time to go to Ochaya Shima (志摩), one of many buildings the place you’ll be able to pay and enter to expertise a glimpse of a Geisha’s life throughout that period, there are quite a few different institutions in Higashi Chaya. Nearly all of the buildings have been became eating places and shops which you’ll flick thru, some showcasing the artwork and crafts of Kanazawa.
There may be additionally the Yasue Gold Leaf Museum (金沢市立安江金箔工芸館) the place you’ll be able to see how gold leaves are made. 99% of gold leaves in Japan are made in Kanazawa immediately and are utilized in iconic constructions together with Kinkakuji (金閣寺) in Kyoto. On the museum, you’ll be able to see how the expert artisans make the spectacular gold leaf. Here’s a video on YouTube displaying their work.
When you wish to expertise dinner with Geisha, you’ll be able to take a look at extra particulars at Kaikaro (懐華樓).
The spotlight for the Higashi Chaya for us? Gold leaf-covered ice cream! How did it style? Identical to common ice cream! Nevertheless it’s a pleasant option to function what Kanazawa is known for.
Myoryu-ji Temple – Ninja Dera (妙立寺): The Secrets and techniques of a Ninja Temple
Time for extra exploration! Bounce on to the loop bus at RL5 and get off at RL12 to go to Myoryu-Ji (妙立寺), also called Ninja Temple. The doorway charge is 1200 yen for adults and simply 800 yen for youngsters.
The temple was inbuilt 1585 by Lord Maeda Toshiie and later moved to the present location by his son. Moreover being a spot of worship for the Kaga Household (based by Maeda Toshiie), the temple additionally served as a army outpost. Resulting from this motive, quite a few hidden lure doorways, and mechanisms have been constructed to confuse intruders.
To completely benefit from the Ninja Temple, I like to recommend making a reservation beforehand as a result of it’s a guided tour they usually solely settle for a sure variety of guests per tour.
Unusual Expertise Visiting Myoryu-ji Temple
To be utterly sincere, the temple was a wierd expertise for us after we visited. Once we arrived, there was no reception space or place to buy a ticket. We needed to stroll in direction of the temple from the principle entrance and make a left on the finish to discover a small white intercom. Right here, we allow them to know we’re there for our appointed time. They’ll ask you to attend for those who’re early.
On the appointed time, we have been requested to take away our footwear and enter the temple. They collected the admission charge from us on the time and please word that it’s money solely. We have been requested to our kids’s passports to show they’re elementary college age to qualify for youngsters’s costs. They requested us 3 occasions (through the cellphone reservation, on the intercom, and when buying the ticket) concerning the youngsters’s passports, which I assumed was unusual.
Throughout the tour, images usually are not permitted they usually particularly talked about that translation from Japanese to English was not allowed (bizarre proper?).
For every time slot, they break the big group into smaller teams so guests can match within the numerous spots through the tour as some areas are fairly small. The tour is in Japanese solely however they do give English audio system a binder with the reason of every attention-grabbing spot.
Regardless of all of the unconventional hiccups, our kids loved it and it was fascinating to think about why there was a must construct such misleading mechanisms on the time.
Nishi Chaya – Western Tea Home District (西茶屋街)
After visiting Myoryu-ji temple, it’s a brief breeze to Nishi Chaya (西茶屋街), the western tea home district. It’s smaller than Higashi Chaya (東茶屋街) however with that comes fewer individuals. It’s an excellent alternative to calm down and take some good footage.
Whereas exploring Nishi Chaya, don’t overlook to go to Nishi Chaya Shiryokan Museum (西茶屋資料館), positioned alongside the road. Admission is free and you’ll step inside and benefit from the atmosphere of a standard Chaya.
Nagamachi Samurai District (長町武家屋敷跡): Samurai Historical past
After visiting the Chaya, delve additional again into the wealthy historical past of Kanazawa by visiting Samurai homes in Nagamachi Samurai District (長町武家屋敷跡). You’ll be able to simply attain Nagamachi by hopping again on to RL12 and getting off at RL14.
Again within the feudal days, Shogun held the best authority and dominated the Daimyo from every area. Underneath every Daimyo are samurai warriors, and within the Nagamachi space, there are a number of restored Samurai homes. The Onosho Canal (大野庄用水) runs via the Samurai District, which is the oldest canal of Kanazawa. It was an necessary waterway that carried items from the harbor to the fortress city.
Of the samurai’s homes, the one we visited was the Nomura-ke (Nomura Household’s Residence, 野村家). There’s an entrance charge of 500 yen for adults, 400 yen for highschool college students and 250 yen for youthful youngsters (as of 2023).
Inside the home, you’ll be able to stroll round and admire the Edo artifacts of the Nomura household, who lived right here for ten generations. The ceilings are made from Japanese cypress and the beautiful work on the sliding door panels have been created by Maeda’s painter. They showcase the inventive and architectural fantastic thing about that point.
The Nomura home additionally has a gorgeous backyard that was ranked probably the greatest in Japan by the Michelin Information. The backyard is small however options many traits of Japanese gardens, together with a 400-year-old Japanese bayberry, a waterfall and pond, and numerous stone options like bridges and lanterns.
As you stroll round between the mud partitions of Nagamachi and tour Nomura Home, you’ll be able to think about the lifetime of a samurai throughout that point.
Oyama Shrine (尾山神社): The place East meets West
You’ll be able to both stroll to the Oyama Shrine (尾山神社) or take the loop bus at RL14 and get off at RL15 and stroll backward.
Oyama Shrine is understood for its distinctive gate, which was designed by a Dutch architect again in 1875, combining a combination of Japanese, European, and Chinese language architectural influences. It’s additionally free to enter and discover!
There’s additionally a gorgeous backyard with ponds and bridges on web site that dates again to the late 1500s. Oyama Shrine holds particular significance because it’s devoted to Maeda Toshiie. You’ll be able to see a giant statue of him in addition to his spouse’s picture carved right into a stone on the grounds.
Staying and Consuming in Kanazawa
Resort MyStays
In Japan, whenever you guide resorts, there are normally 3 choices
- Room Solely
- Room and breakfast
- Room and two meals (breakfast and dinner)
Resulting from our hectic journey and touring schedule and eager to strive completely different eating places, we booked a room solely at Resort MyStays in Kanazawa. On the time, it was newly transformed so the rooms are fashionable and clear, and it additionally comes with free Wifi. We booked a room for 4 so that they arrange 4 particular person beds for us.
In comparison with US resorts, Japanese resorts present many facilities as normal, together with toothbrushes, shaving kits, PJs, and slippers. Resort MyStay had giant drawers full of various face wash and tub salt on the first flooring so that you can get pleasure from, making it a cushty and handy choice for us.
The resort was a brief stroll from Kanazawa station, and you might make the most of the underground walkways to navigate the town and cross the bigger intersections that have been above floor.
Kuroya (くろ屋): A Memorable Izakaya Expertise
Since Kanazawa is understood for its seafood, we ate at a neighborhood izakaya near the station. We known as the top-ranked izakaya one after the other. Sadly, most have been absolutely booked. Fortunately, we have been lastly capable of reserve a desk at Kuroya. If there’s an izakaya you need to eat at, I like to recommend calling a couple of days earlier than.
So how was Kuorya? It was superior! The menu featured a variety of native fish and Kaga greens, largely from 400-800 yen every (see the menu). I extremely advocate this place because it’s not removed from the station, and each dish was glorious.
One factor to notice, most izakaya or ingesting eating places do not need non-smoking sections. When you’ve got younger youngsters or are allergic to smoking, you would possibly need to ask if they’ve non-smoking sections.
Kuroyuri (黒百合): Genuine Oden in Kanazawa Station
For our second dinner, we ate at Kuroyuri (an oden restaurant) positioned contained in the Kanazawa station.
Kuroyuri has been round for greater than 60 years and is presently run by the third era of the household. The meals was amazingly good, however they solely permit you 90 minutes to eat since there was a line of individuals ready.
You’ll be able to order Oden a la carte relying on what you need to eat, with a collection of 20 completely different sorts of substances. Moreover Oden, there’s sashimi, grilled meals, deep-fried assortment, salad, and carbs.
The dashi for Oden was very mild but flavorful. All of the completely different Oden have been scrumptious, which is a testomony to the recipe, which has been the identical for 50+ years. Many of the dishes are between 400-600 yen (see the menu).
In case you are within the station and in search of good meals, head on over to Kuroyuri for some genuine Japanese Oden.
Gold Castella: Kanazawa Dessert
Like many shops, the buying part within the Kanazawa station presents many native treats. What caught our consideration was the gold castella, which regarded irresistible, so we purchased one to get pleasure from at our resort. It tastes simply nearly as good because it regarded, and I extremely advocate it!
Kanazawa is understood for its native arts and crafts, and you’ll see extra particulars on the Kanazawa tourism conventional arts web page. We totally loved our quick time there and advocate planning a full two-day Kanazawa itinerary to see and benefit from the metropolis.
Now let’s proceed our journey, subsequent cease is Toyama, and a day journey to Kurobe Gorge!
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