It has been a few years since my family traveled. Japan is one of our favorite vacation destinations. We have been to Tokyo and Kyoto on previous family trips before, so on our next trip, I'd like to propose the Hokuriku Region (北陸地方), Kanazawa (金沢) and Noto Penninsula (能登半島)in particular. This page will focus only on Kanazawa.
Hanzawa Naoki
Hanzawa Naoki, originally aired in 2013 and a sequel aired in 2020, is a critically acclaimed TV show in Japan. Its 2013 series finale boasts the highest viewership numbers in the Heisei Era.
The titular character, Hanazawa Naoki, is from Kanazawa.
Get in
- Direct flight into Komatsu Airport (小松空港), then either 30-minute JR train or a 40-minute bus into Kanazawa
- Direct flight into Nagoya (名古屋), then take a 3-hour JR train or a 4-hour bus to Kanazawa.
- Bullet trains from Tokyo Station takes only a little over 2.5 hours to reach Kanazawa.
See
Omicho Market / 近江町市場
Touted as Kanazawa's Kitchen, this market is pedetrians-only and has been in business for over 300 years. It is a must-visit for every traveler to Kanazawa.
Omicho, as the market is affectionately known to the Kanazawa locals, is within walking distance from Korinbo (香林坊), the best shopping quarter in the Hokuriku Region. From the market, otehr popular Kanazawa sightseeing destinations, such as Kenroku-en and Higashi Chaya District, are also reachable on foot.
Although best-known for its seafood, Omicho is also good for souvenior-shopping.
Many vendors are open from 9 to 5 and often closed on Wednesdays.
Higashi Chaya District / ひがし茶屋街
In Edo Era, buildings are legally limited to one stories. Chaya, or tea houses, are two-stories tall and notable execeptions to the rule.
Higashi Chaya District was an entertainment district, where geishas entertained guests in tea houses. The District is beautifully preserved and has been designated as National Cultural Treasures in Japan. The district retains its look and feel from the Edo Era.
Kaikarou (懐華楼), the largest tea house, now from time-to-time schedules geisha performances for the general public.
There are a number of traditional Japanese sweets shops and kimino rental shops in Higashi Chaya District as well.
Kenroku-en / 兼六園
One of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, its name comes from the incorporation of 6 aspects in its garden design. These 6 garden-design aspects (宏大、幽邃、人力、蒼古、水泉和眺望) come from Sung Chinese Li Geifei's (李格非) description of "Famous Gardens of Luoyang" (洛陽名園記)
Cherry blossoms in the spring, Japanese iris in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and snow-covered in winter, this garden has its allure in all seasons. Kenroku-en also has evening lighting schedules for visitors who want to enjoy the garden in a different light. For visitors who wish to avoid crowds, visit before official visitor hours; the admission charge is waived then as well.
A quintessential Japanese garden, Kenroku-en is a must-see.
Eat
- Kabura sushi / かぶら寿司: A Kanazawa winter speciality, often eaten as a New Year cusine. Made with yellowtail amberjack marinated in rice malt and wrapped with salted Japanese white turnips, kabura sushi is perhaps an aquired taste.
- Pufferfish / ふぐ: The largest volume of wild pufferfish is caught in Ishikawa Prefecture's Noto Pennisula, so pufferfish cuisine in Kanazawa can be especially fresh.
- Crabs / カニ: From November to March is snow crab (づわいガニ）season in Kanazawa. Crabs are best fresh, so this is not to be missed in Kanazawa.
Sleep
Yuzuya Ryokan Kanazawa Ryokusone / 柚子屋 日本 緑草音 金澤
A high-end traditional Japanese style ryokan, Rryokusone has only 7 guest rooms.
Uan Kanazawa / 雨庵
A hotel that combines Japanese and Western aesthetics. This hotel has 47 guest rooms.
Souveniors
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Kintsuba / きんつば: A representative Kanazawa sweets, kintsuba is made with red beans, agar and sugar. Covered in lightly dusted flour, it is then pan-fried and subtly salted.
- Gold foil / 金箔: During the Edo Era, gold foil production is restriced to Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto. Kanazawa began producing gold foil in the second-half of the 19th century and is responsible for over 98% of gold foil production in Japan. In Kanazawa, in addition to crafts and decorative objects, one can now find gold foil added to lotion and ice cream.