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Kanazawa is the capital metropolis of Ishikawa prefecture, situated on the western coast of Japan. Being one in every of Japan’s largest cities, it’s a standard vacation spot for sightseeing and eating, with its elegant cityscape and contemporary seafood from the Hokuriku area.
The primary sights are concentrated in a couple of areas across the metropolis. They are often visited by bus or on foot with out renting a automobile. Right here is an in a single day itinerary course for a two-day one evening go to to Kanazawa, ranging from Kanazawa Station, that may take you to the sights you may’t miss in your first journey to the realm.
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Day 1, 10:00 am– Arrive at Kanazawa Station
Kanazawa Station is a landmark of Kanazawa and was the topic of a lot controversy in 2011 when it was voted sixth among the many 14 most lovely prepare stations on the planet by the American journey journal, Journey & Leisure. Initially in-built 1898 and renovated in 2005 by architect Ryuzo Shirae, the station to has a really futuristic look. It now encompasses a glass and metal dome and a large wood gate resembling a torii gate on the east exit plaza. The Motenashi Dome and Tsuzumi-mon gate are the primary photograph stops for a lot of guests to Kanazawa. Benefit from the structure and snap some photos with one of many symbols of Kanazawa!
Handle: 〒920-0858 Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Kinoshinbomachi, 1番1号
Day 1, 11:00 am– Omicho Market
Credit score: Raita Futo
Omicho Market, the ‘Residents’ Kitchen’, has supported Kanazawa’s meals tradition for 300 years for the reason that Edo interval. 9 minutes by bus or a 15-minute stroll from Kanazawa Station, the slender lanes are lined with some 180 outlets providing all kinds of contemporary seafood, domestically grown greens, and fruit.
The market is crowded with vacationers buying and consuming, however if you wish to have lunch, we advocate Kanazawa’s standard connoisseur Kaisen-don. Recent seafood from the Sea of Japan is served in a bowl so generously that it overflows the bowl. There are lots of eating places the place you may eat Kaisen-don, however it is not uncommon to attend in line for a number of hours at standard eating places. For those who go on a weekend, we advocate consuming outdoors of peak lunchtime hours to keep away from changing into a lunch refugee. For those who can go within the morning, it’s safer to have an early lunch at Omichoi Market first after which go sightseeing.
Handle: 50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0905
Elective, however Really useful– Kimono rental
Kimono rental has not too long ago turn out to be standard amongst feminine vacationers in Kanazawa. Kanazawa, which retains many elegant townscapes, is claimed to be a city the place kimonos are a very good match. You will note many vacationers strolling round in kimonos at well-known sightseeing spots such because the Higashi Chaya-gai district.
There are lots of kimono rental outlets in Kanazawa, lots of that are situated close to Kanazawa Station, Omicho Market, and different vacationer sights. Costs differ from store to buy, however the market price is round 5,000 yen per day. We advocate it for individuals who wish to take pleasure in a unique style model on their journey to Kanazawa!
Day 1, 12:30 pm– Higashi-Chaya District
Higashi Chaya-gai, one in every of Kanazawa’s hottest vacationer sights, is a teahouse district created by the Kaga clan within the Edo interval (1603-1868) by gathering teahouses beneath the citadel. The historic buildings and streets have been preserved of their unique kind. Cafés and galleries which have revitalised townhouses and choose outlets promoting conventional handicrafts line the streets, giving the realm the ambiance of an previous teahouse district.
Solely eight minutes by bus or 10 minutes strolling from Omicho Market, there are numerous photogenic scenes. Many individuals will be seen taking photographs in kimonos with the standard streetscape within the background. The period of time you spend in Higashi Chaya-gai varies drastically relying in your objective, however it’s a sightseeing spot it’s best to take your time exploring!
Handle: 1 Chome Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831
Day 1, 2:00 pm– Nationwide Necessary Cultural Property, Ochaya Shima
Credit score: G41rn8
Situated within the Higashi-Chaya district, Shima is a prestigious teahouse in-built 1820 and has remained untouched for the reason that Edo interval. It’s designated as a Nationwide Necessary Cultural Property of Japan and is open to the general public for a payment of round 500 yen. The within of the constructing is as elegant and delicate as seen on TV interval dramas and affords a glimpse of the stylish grownup social scene of the Edo interval.
Shima additionally has a tea room, Kanson-an, the place you may take pleasure in matcha tea and Conventional Japanese sweets whereas gazing out over the backyard. Why not spend a quiet second within the historical capital of Kanazawa?
Handle: 1 Chome-13-21 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831
Gold Leaf Ice Cream
When the Japanese consider gold leaf, the primary metropolis that involves thoughts is Kanazawa. Kanazawa has thrived as a centre of gold leaf manufacturing for the reason that 1600s. Immediately, it produces virtually 100% of Japan’s gold leaf. Town has its distinctive manner of making gold leaf that has existed for over 400 years, often called the entsuke approach. In 2014, Japan licensed entsuke gold leaf as a Chosen Conservation Method. In December 2020, UNESCO added entsuke gold leaf to its checklist of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
How are you going to take pleasure in gold leaf from Kanazawa? You will see many merchandise with gold leaf all around the metropolis, and Higashi Chaya District isn’t any exception. Provided that the gold is edible, there are limitless choices for golden confectionary delights. There’s even gold-flecked espresso!
Whereas many shops promote gold leaf merchandise, Hakuichi is likely one of the most well-known. They promote chopsticks, plates, oil-absorbent paper created from gold leaf, and gold leaf cosmetics like lotions and packs, that are standard as souvenirs. One thing you positively can’t miss is the kinpaku no kagayaki soft-serve ice cream from Hakuichi. This delectable deal with not solely appears lovely, nevertheless it tastes simply nearly as good. Take some photos to seize the fantastic thing about your ice cream ceaselessly and benefit from the refreshing flavour!
Handle: 1 Chome-15-4 Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831
Kazuemachi-Chaya District
Credit score: Go to Kanazawa
The Kazuemachi Chaya-gai is an space alongside the Asano River between Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge and Naka-no Hashi Bridge. The district is lined with traditional-style eating places and teahouses. Not like Higashi Chaya-gai, which has many vacationers, this space is much less crowded and has a peaceful ambiance, making it an ideal place for a stroll. It is just a five-minute stroll from Higashi Chaya-gai, so why not escape the crowds and take a sightseeing tour together with it?
Handle: 2-5 Kazuemachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0908
Day 1, 4:00 pm– Kenrokuen Backyard
Kenrokuen Backyard is an unlimited backyard dotted with mountains, ponds, and teahouses the place guests can stroll round and benefit from the completely different landscapes. Together with Korakuen Backyard in Okayama Metropolis, Okayama Prefecture, and Kairakuen Backyard in Mito Metropolis, Ibaraki Prefecture, Kenrokuen Backyard is likely one of the three most well-known gardens in Japan. The Michelin Inexperienced Information Japan has awarded it the very best ranking of three stars. This backyard can also be residence to different historic and iconic constructions. On the northern financial institution of the Kasumigaike Pond is the Kotojitoro Lantern, which stands over 2 meters tall, made uniquely with two legs as a substitute of 1. Beneath Kasumigaike Pond lies one in every of Japan’s oldest fountains, powered by a drop in elevation within the pond, inflicting the water to shoot up 3.5 meters excessive!
The backyard’s magnificence will be loved all through the 4 seasons: in spring, 200 crimson and white plum timber and 420 cherry timber of 20 varieties bloom; in summer time, extra flowers bloom and greenery is plentiful; in autumn, the park is full of brilliant crimson autumn leaves; in winter, the “Yuki-hanging”, a conventional winter customized in Kanazawa, protects the branches of the timber from the snow. Stroll by way of this backyard for less than round 320 yen and benefit from the scenes, outlets, and picturesque magnificence it affords.
Handle: 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936
Kanazawa Fort Park
Kanazawa Fort Park is accessible from the Katsurazaka Exit of Kenrokuen Backyard, with the principle gate, Ishikawa-mon Gate, simply in entrance of you. Kanazawa Fort was the residence of the Maeda household of Kaga Hyakumangoku and is called an impregnable citadel. The citadel park is in an ongoing means of restoration. Hishi and Tsuzuki Yagura (two turrets) related by Gojiken Nagaya (a protracted storehouse) had been among the many first to be restored in 2001 utilizing conventional constructing strategies and supplies and is likely one of the highlights of this park. In 2015, the Hashizume-mon gate, adjoining to the turrets, was added. That is the one a part of the park that has an admission payment of roughly 310 yen.
Different restored buildings embrace the Kahoku-mon Gate (2010) and the Nezumita-mon Gate (2020) close to Oyama Shrine. These gates have higher flooring you may enter freed from cost and comprise shows concerning the gates’ historical past and building. The citadel park additionally has a backyard, the Gyokuseninmaru Backyard, which was restored in 2015 and has a central pond and round strolling path. Stroll by way of the park and have a look at the restored structure, be taught concerning the historical past of Kanazawa, and benefit from the nature surrounding you. The park is open at evening on Fridays, Saturdays, and the day earlier than public holidays when you may admire the splendidly illuminated surroundings.
Handle: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0937
Day 1, 6:00 pm– Inns in Kanazawa
Inns in Kanazawa Metropolis are concentrated round Kanazawa Station and Kanazawa Fort Park. They vary from enterprise resorts to luxurious resorts. The downtown areas Korinbo, Katamachi, and Tatemachi are on the west facet of Kanazawa Fort Park and are often called Hokuriku’s busiest and most connoisseur cities in Kanazawa. Relying on the aim of your go to, you could find a resort of your selection not removed from the sights throughout your keep.
Day 2, 10:00 am– Nagamachi Samurai District
Nagamachi Bukeyashiki is a district that preserves the homes the place the Kaga clan warriors lived throughout the feudal period, with conventional earthen partitions and stone-paved alleyways remaining and grand samurai residences lining the streets. One of many essential sights of this district is Nomura-ke, a restored samurai residence displaying the life-style and artefacts of the period when samurai had been affluent. The district has different museums and restored constructions like Kaga Hanshi. A 2-minute stroll from Nomura-ke, Kaga Hanshi is a horse secure with a backyard to walk by way of and luxuriate in nature.
Stroll across the Nagamachi Samurai District and immerse your self within the surroundings, envisioning what life was like within the feudal period. The street from this space to Korinbo is dotted with cafés, Japanese confectionary outlets, and outlets promoting conventional crafts akin to Kutani ware. As you stroll, cease by the outlets and decide up some souvenirs!
Handle: 1 Chome-3-12-2 Nagamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0865
Day 2, 12:00 pm– Nishi-Chaya District
Nishi Chaya-gai is one in every of Kanazawa’s three teahouse districts, together with Higashi Chaya-gai and Kazuemachi Chaya-gai. In comparison with Higashi Chaya-gai, there are fewer vacationers and the ambiance is extra relaxed. Though smaller in scale, the city is lined with Kappo eating places and Machiya outlets and has a quaint ambiance. A 14-minute stroll from Nagamachi Samurai District, Nishi Chaya-gai is claimed to have the biggest variety of geiko of the three teahouse districts. At nightfall, you may really feel the evening of Kanazawa, the city of arts, with dressed-up geiko strolling the streets and the sound of shamisen (three-stringed Japanese guitar) enjoying from the rows of homes.
Handle: 2 Chome-25-18 Nomachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 921-8031
Day 2, 2:00pm– Myoriyu-ji Temple
Credit score: Irina Gelbukh
Also called the Ninja Temple, the Myoriyu-ji Temple is residence to a number of devices, together with a cash field that turns right into a pit, a hidden staircase that seems when the floorboards are rolled up, and a nicely that’s stated to have been used as a solution to Kanazawa Fort. This temple is a two-minute stroll from Nishi-Chaya District.
Whereas the temple will not be related to Ninja, it obtained the title resulting from its numerous misleading defences. On the time of its building, the temple was beneath stress with the Tokugawa Shogunate, which imposed many constructing restrictions in an try and weaken the feudal lords. These gadgets had been put in to avoid these restrictions and put together for an assault. Within the occasion of an assault, the misleading defences supplied the defenders with time to flee to the Kanazawa citadel and alert them of the assault.
The temple exterior is 2 storeys excessive, however it’s stated to have 4 storeys, 23 rooms, and 29 staircases. It’s stated to have hidden tunnels, secret rooms, traps, and a labyrinth of corridors and staircases. These will be seen on guided excursions, the place a information will lead you thru the maze-like inside. The excursions are held in Japanese, though good English guidebooks can be found.*
Handle: 1 Chome-2-12 Nomachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 921-8031
*Superior reserving is required.
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Two days, one evening. Whether or not it’s for enterprise or sightseeing, this two-day itinerary will will let you see a number of the greatest websites in Kanazawa. I hope these places will let you really take pleasure in and perceive the sweetness and historical past of this excellent metropolis.
Have you ever been to Kanazawa? How was it? Any ideas of places not on this itinerary? Tell us! Join with us by way of Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Fb, Twitter, or Pinterest.
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