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I’ve at all times been conscious of the big selection of issues to do in Kanazawa, nevertheless it wasn’t till I returned for the third or fourth time that it lastly clicked for me.
Quite than touring immediately from Tokyo to Kanazawa, I’d taken the “great distance” in the midst of winter, making my manner by means of the cities and cities of the Japanese Alps to the Hokuriku area. Initially, I feared I’d made a mistake coming again right now of yr—it was 8ºC, with heavy rain and wind so strung it snapped the umbrella my lodge loaned me in two.
In a single day, nonetheless, the rain turned to snow, and I awoke into what I can solely describe as a misplaced scene from Memoirs of a Geisha. Most individuals don’t have “strolling round in a blizzard at daybreak” of their Kanazawa journey information, however I’m telling you: You must.
The place to Keep in Kanazawa
There’s an more and more big selection of trendy ryokan and boutique lodges in Kanazawa, however I normally prefer to preserve it easy. One property to which I’ve lately taken a liking is Resort Pacific Kanazawa. Stylish, comfy and handy, this easy and stylish property is wedged between the Geisha district of Kazue-machi and Kanazawa Fortress Park.
In fact, for those who’re not a single individual touring, or are right here for a special day (the Kanazawa sakura, for instance) or in any other case extraordinary examples of what to do in Kanazawa, you may need to keep someplace much more particular. Yamanoo is positioned on a hill overlooking iconic Higashi Chaya district, whereas Resort Kanazawa Zoushi is a ryokan-style property simply steps from Omicho Fish Market.
The Greatest Issues to Do in Kanazawa
Return in time at Kanazawa Fortress
Kanazawa Fortress just isn’t, on its face, one of the vital spectacular in Japan, having been principally re-constructed, and missing a preserve since its unique one was destroyed in a 1602 fireplace. Alternatively, Kanazawa Fortress Park could be very lovely (particularly within the snow), and the museum contained in the restored constructing is informative and attention-grabbing. It additionally occurs to take a seat proper in the midst of city (and all the opposite issues to do in Kanazawa), which makes it an ideal place to start exploring in your Kanazawa journey.
See Kenroku-en in all 4 seasons
The citadel additionally sits actually throughout the road from Kenroku-en, the Kanazawa backyard that’s grow to be one in every of my favourite in Japan through the years. Native folks say it is a place you’ll want to see in all 4 seasons, and I’m glad to have skilled what appears to be the rarest (winter) throughout my most up-to-date journey. My favourite half about this most lovely of Kanazawa issues to do is how various it’s horticulturally, from the twisty pines that line the shores of Kasumigaike Pond, to a lush ume plum grove that boasts bursts of brilliant pink in winter and the assorted iris ponds that bloom in late spring.
Uncover the Kanazawa Geisha districts
If you Google “issues to do in Kanazawa,” I’d nearly guess cash {that a} image of the Higashi Chaya district comes up. I really like this a part of city, particularly strolling up the hill above it to the bamboo-shrouded Hohsen-ji temple, however there are different geisha districts to discover as nicely. I already talked about Kazue-machi, which sits on the Asano River and which seems to be notably placing in a blizzard or amid the cherry blossoms, however an additional possibility can be to go south of the Sai River to Nishi Chaya, which is small however extremely charming.
TIP: Whereas most vacationers who go to Higashi Chaya merely cease on the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum, you possibly can as an alternative attend a singular Kutani-yaki ceramics workshop to make one-of-a-kind matcha bowls.
Tour Samurai properties in Nagamachi
I’ve at all times been stunned that Nagamachi isn’t extra talked up on the subject of Kanazawa sights—it’s maybe the best-preserved Samurai district in all of Japan, for one. Alternatively, I really like how abandoned this a part of city tends to be, so perhaps it’s not such a foul factor that so many individuals miss it. Whether or not you go to former warrior dwelling just like the Nomura-ke Home, or duck into unassuming Grill Otsuka for one of the best tonkatsu curry you’ll ever eat, add Nagamachi to your record now.
Eat your manner by means of Omicho Market
As I discussed earlier, it was wet and depressing once I first arrived to Kanazawa for my second journey—I spent hours within the Kanazawa market not a lot as a result of I wished to, however as a result of I didn’t have a alternative. The seafood at Omicho Market is diversified (and really lovely), and lives as much as the hype round it in as a lot as that. I’ll say that it’s a bit dear for my style, which as an alternative pushed me to attempt (for the primary time ever!) gold-leaf smooth cream. Which is an acceptable deal with, given the Japanese title of Kanazawa: “Marsh of Gold.”
Get out of city
Though the are loads of issues to do in Kanazawa city-proper, I do like to take day journeys from Kanazawa. In winter, most evident one is to Shirakawa-go, which could simply be essentially the most lovely farm city on the earth. In case you occur to be in Kanazawa on the finish of April (simply after peak cherry blossom time, admittedly), you could possibly journey to the “snow tunnel” of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, whereas close by Kaga Onsen makes for a extra evergreen tour. Maruoka Fortress, in close by Fukui prefecture, is the oldest of Japan’s unique such buildings. An alternative choice can be to take a highway journey alongside the Noto Peninsula.
When to Go to Kanazawa
As lots of my Kanazawa information footage present, nearly all of the issues to do in Kanazawa are extra lovely and pleasurable within the snow, whether or not in falling kind or as a resplendent white carpet. Nevertheless, winter just isn’t the one time of yr to go to Kanazawa, although it’s a sentimental favourite of mine. Autumn can be beautiful, particularly in Kenroku-en as a result of vast number of timber there. As you possibly can see, there isn’t one “greatest time to go to Kanazawa.”
Certainly, after having a number of years in the past skilled the Kanazawa cherry blossom season, I lately acquired to go to Kanazawa in summer season for the primary time—it was a revelation. Kanazawa Fortress particularly was extremely lovely amid the irises, as have been the normal homes of Kazue-machi beneath willow billows. Despite rain, warmth and humidity, you possibly can count on this to be a crowded and costly interval to go to Kanazawa, as is mid-November, when autumn colours are at their peak.
How Many Days Ought to You Spend in Kanazawa?
The difficulty of what number of days in Kanazawa it’s best to spend is barely much less controversial than for different cities in Japan. The density and high quality of sights right here however, Kanazawa’s historic middle is comparatively small, so that you don’t have to spend a complete lot of time right here, until you propose to scrutinize every place totally.
For many vacationers, I’d say two or three days in Kanazawa is right, although there are some causes to increase. Specifically, visiting secondary sights (such because the lesser-known Kanazawageisha district of Nishi Chaya and the close by “ninja temple” of Myouryu-ji) or sampling distinctive Kanazawa eating places (just like the delectably homestyle Manmarumaru) could make you need to spend 4 days or extra in Kanazawa.
Different FAQ About Issues to Do in Kanazawa
Is Kanazawa price visiting?
Kanazawa is totally price visiting—I’ve gone nearly a dozen instances now, and love town extra on every go to. There’s one thing for everybody, from the character on provide in Kenroku-en backyard, to the structure of the Higashi Chaya and Kazue-machi Geisha districts, to the culinary delights of Omicho Market to the Samurai and Ninja tradition of Nagamachi and Myouryu-ji temple, respectively. Is it price going to Kanazawa? That’s a no brainer!
What’s Kanazawa recognized for?
Kanazawa is thought, amongst Japanese folks, for being dwelling to Kenroku-en, one in every of Japan’s high three panorama gardens. Extra colloquially, it’s well-known for being the “Kyoto of the North,” and its Geisha districts give it an identical aesthetic to Japan’s former capital.
What’s there to do in Kanazawa at night time?
Though Kanazawa lacks the nightlife of Tokyo or Osaka, there are many issues to do at night time. All over the place within the metropolis is extra beautiful after night time falls, whether or not you’re amid the picket homes of Higashi-chaya, beneath the distinctive modern-meets-ancient structure of Kanazawa Station or in Kenroku-en backyard throughout one in every of its seasonal illuminations.
The Backside Line
Like this Kanazawa journey information, Japan’s so-called “Kyoto of the North” is a lot greater than the sum of its components. Whether or not you stroll by means of Kazue-machi in the midst of a blizzard like I did, go to Kanazawa Fortress when the sakura are at full bloom or expertise another seasonal serendipity, I hope you’re capable of fall in love with Kanazawa, as an alternative of merely going by means of the motions as I did up till my final journey. Want personalised steerage placing your Japan journey collectively? Rent me to create a Japan itinerary for you, and let me sweat the main points.
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