Hokuriku

Kanazawa: A Blend of History, Art, and Nature

Kanazawa is home to beautiful gardens, museums, and architecture. Stroll along the picturesque streets of Higashi Chayamachi, lined with tea houses and sweet shops, and indulge in Kanazawa's famous seafood cuisine.

Kanazawa, a city in the Ishikawa Prefecture, is a charming destination accessible from Tokyo and Kyoto. The city is home to beautiful gardens, museums, and architecture. Visitors can stroll along the picturesque streets of Higashi Chayamachi, lined with tea houses and sweet shops, and indulge in Kanazawa's famous seafood cuisine. Whether you're interested in history, art, or nature, Kanazawa has something to offer everyone.

I went to Kanazawa and fell in love. I can't wait to go back. My top foodie spots are Yamasan Sushi, where the freshest local ingredients are crafted into an amazing sushi bowl (kaisendon), and Mori Mori Sushi, conveniently located near the JR Kanazawa station. I regret not having enough time to visit Horaido and Kazu Nakashima - they're definitely on my list for my next trip.

One of my favorite experiences in Kanazawa was visiting Kenroku-en garden in the early morning, thanks to jet lag! The tranquil atmosphere added to the beauty of the garden, making it even more breathtaking. I was lucky enough to visit during the cherry blossom season, which was absolutely stunning, and now I'm curious to see how it looks in other seasons, especially winter.

Kanazawa Loop Bus

This bus is perfect for exploring the city's main sightseeing spots, including Higashi Chaya District, Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Naga-machi Buke Yashiki District, and Omi-cho Market. With a Right Loop and a Left Loop route, the bus runs every 15 minutes, making it easy to get around. You can opt to purchase the ONE DAY PASS for unlimited rides on the Loop Bus and other eligible buses.

Check out their website for more info.

Kanazawa Station: Motenashi Dome & Tsuzumimon

Located at the Kenrokuen Exit of Kanazawa Station. Designed to "offer an umbrella to those who get off at the station," the dome welcomes visitors to Kanazawa with a beautiful geometric patterned glass ceiling. The majestic Tsuzumimon gate is a popular photo spot, designed to resemble a drum used in Noh, the traditional performing art of Kanazawa. Standing at an impressive 13.7 meters, the gate is supported by two thick pillars and is a sight to behold. Kanazawa Station was even selected as one of the 14 most beautiful train stations in the world.

The Kozaimon gate is illuminated from sunset to midnight. Each day of the week, the gate is lit up in a different color inspired by Kaga Gosai, the five colors of Kaga (a regional area well-known for its traditional arts and crafts): enji, indigo, grass, ochre, and ancient purple. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, each of the five colors will be illuminated for two minutes.

Ishikawa Prefectural Library

With a design inspired by the pages of a book, the exterior of the library is just the beginning. The spacious circular reading area boasts a breathtaking blue ceiling resembling a starry night sky. Take in the view from the circular balcony on the fourth floor or cross the "bridge" on the third floor. You'll notice the abovementioned Kaga Gosai color motif at the library as well.

The library's collection of chairs is also noteworthy, with a diverse array of colors, shapes, and materials. Some chairs were even crafted specifically for this library.

Umi-Mirai Library

Recognized as one of the "25 Most Beautiful Public Libraries in the World," its exterior features around 6,000 round windows of different sizes evenly distributed along the sides of the cube-shaped building. The designers experimented with various factors such as shape, size, placement, and light direction to optimize natural light for reading.

Tokyo

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen, a bullet train that runs between Tokyo and Kanazawa. The journey takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the type of train you take.