7 most fascinating things in Kanazawa city, the jewel hidden in the west of Japan
Kanazawa City is the convergence of both traditional and modern beauty and it is like a jewel that shines brightly, shimmering on the western edge of the rising sun. Discover, 8 of the best attractions in this city!
Unaffected by war, Kanazawa city fortunately still retains the ancient cities, samurai museum, geisha street ... and traditional crafts. That is the reason why Kanazawa is likened to a glamorous shining gem on the western edge of Japan.
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8 most attractive things in Kanazawa city
1. The oldest and most romantic Kanazawa Castle in Japan
The castle with the same name as the city of Kanazawa was inhabited by Maeda Toshiie of the Maeda clan, the second most powerful feudal clan after Tokugawa in Edo (present-day Tokyo).
Although it has undergone an incident and has to be restored, but Kanazawa is still one of the ancient castles of Japan, attracting a lot of tourists every year because of its extremely beautiful landscape. Even the Ishikawamon and Sanjikken Nagaya gates of Kanazawa Castle are 50-meter-wide pavilions that have been designated as important cultural assets of Japan .
- Address: 1-1 Maru no Uchi Kanazawa-shi
- Opening hours: 7:00 - 18:00 (March to October 15) and 8:00 - 17:00 (from October 16 to the end of February)
- Ticket price: free for everyone
2. Kenrokuen, one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan
In Japan, there are three gardens known as the Korakuen garden in Okayama, the Kairakuen garden in Mito and the Kenrokuen garden of Kanazawa city . In it, Kenrokuen garden is visited by many people more by its unique architecture and landscape.
The name Kenrokuen means Siamese - the 6-in-1 garden to talk about the six main elements that make up its beauty: vast, tranquil, man-made, ancient, geysers and scenery. beautiful view.
Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa Japan has a spacious garden campus with open spaces and tranquil waters. The garden is also home to a variety of plants that are specific to each season, so no matter what time of year you visit, you will see a new Kenrokuen coat.
Visitors to Kanazawa City will be amazed at the plum blossoms and cherry blossoms in spring and then be amazed at the warm earth tones when you visit the garden in autumn. Winter is when the whole garden stands out with the yukitsuri, the conical ropes tied to the trunks to keep the branches from the heavy snow. 4 times a year will organize light up at night, visitors will admire the magical landscape different from the day.
- Address: 1, Kenroku-cho, Kanazawa-shi, Ishikawa
- Opening hours: 7:00 - 18:00 (March to mid-October) and 8:00 - 17:00 (between October to February)
- Fares: ¥ 310
2. Ninjadera Temple, works with great design through all time
Ninjadera Temple commonly known as the Ninja Temple is a wonderful architectural work of Kanazawa city . Normally, information about ninja is often hidden, so when you hear the name of the Ninja Temple, other visitors will be very curious about what you can visit in it.
In fact the temple was built for the purpose of worship but in history, it also serves as a secret place to protect Maeda lord.
From the outside, the temple has a luxurious design, looks only two floors high but actually it has four floors with seven floors of mezzanine inside. And you can only visit the inside of the temple with a guide. Usually when participating in Japanese tours , you will not need to worry about this matter.
The tour lasts 30 minutes in English and you will have to book 10 minutes in advance if you want an English speaking guide. And during the course of visiting the Ninja Shrine in Kanazawa City , you will have to abide by the very strict regulations here. Photography for example is strictly forbidden during the entire visit.
But in return, you will go from surprise to surprise when you hear your guide introduce the secret designs of the temple. For example the stairs are hidden behind a closet door or even on the ceiling. And you will be amazed to discover the secret mezzanine floors. Also don't accidentally bump into the alms box at the entrance of the temple, it's a scary trap 3 meters deep.
- Address: 1-2-12 Kanazawa, Ishikawa 921-8031
- Opening hours: 9:00 - 16:00 (weekdays), 9:00 - 14:30 (weekends)
- Phone number reservations: 076-241-0888
- Fares: ¥ 1000 for adults and ¥ 700 for children
3. Higashi Chaya, the "holy land" of geisha culture
The Higashi Chaya district, established in 1820, is one of the best preserved geisha cultures in Kanazawa City . It was originally set up as a place to entertain aristocrats, but today is a place for tourists to learn about geisha.
Chaya in the name Higashi Chaya refers to teahouses, where geisha perform dances, play traditional musical instruments and play drinking games with customers at dinner. Today, many chaya has been converted into cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops and museums.
In Kanazawa City, the famous Geisha Ochaya Shima house has now become a museum displaying the colorful costumes and geisha instruments.
- Address: Higashi Chaya district, Kanazawa city
- Opening hours: 9:00 - 18:00 daily
- Admission price: ¥ 500 for adults and ¥ 300 for children under 16
4. Nagamachi, cradle of Samurai culture
The Nagamachi Samurai District in Kanazawa City is where the samurai used to reside with their families. Samurai, in the culture of Japan is a hero, fighting for the clan and respected.
Similar to the Higashi Chaya Geisha district, most of the residences in the Nagamachi district have been converted into shops and restaurants. Including the Nomurake Residence, which also preserves samurais items such as costumes, swords ... is a must-visit place.
- Address: Nagamachi District, Kanazawa City
- Opening hours: 8:30 - 17:30 daily
- Fares: ¥ 550
5. Japan's most famous gold leaf industry
Kanazawa City is famous for its gold leaf industry, currently accounting for 99% of Japan's total gold leaf production. The yellow leaves created in Kanazawa never lose color or become oxidized and are extremely thin. That is why the name Kanazawa is famous in this industry.
People in Kanazawa city use gold leaf a lot, from everyday items to gold leaf cosmetics, and even use it to decorate the cake.
6. Street food in Omicho market is hard to match
Kanazawa is located in the coastal city, so it is not difficult to understand that the famous dishes here have seafood ingredients, especially those made from shrimp, sushi and sashimi.
Wanting good food in Kanazawa City , there is nowhere else but Omicho market. This is a local market with about 200 stores bustling day and night. The market is especially noisy in the early morning, when fishermen bring fresh seafood to traders.
The afternoon is a glorious time for the restaurants in the market. Many people, both indigenous and tourists from other localities, visit Omichi to enjoy the rich cuisine of this place.
- Address: 920-0905 Ishikawa, Kanazawa, Kamiomicho
- Opening hours: 9:00 - 18:00 daily. Note many stores are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, as well as national and New Year holidays.
7. The city of Kanazawa gets a new coat every cherry blossom season
From the end of March to the beginning of April every year, the whole city of Kanazawa looks like pink by cherry blossoms. You must visit this city at the time of cherry blossom bloom to see how much of Kanazawa's charm moves people.
At that time, people will hold picnics right under the cherry trees in the Kenrokuen garden. As soon as sunset falls, all the cherry trees here are illuminated to create a shimmering beauty like the fairytale in dramas.
In addition, Kanazawa Castle and Kazuemachi Geisha Street are also popular sightseeing spots in Kanazawa City during the cherry blossom season.
From Tokyo, you can easily catch a bus or train or fly straight to Kanazawa. You also only need 2 days to be able to visit all the famous tourist spots in Kanazawa city . There is no reason to refuse this opportunity to awaken the hidden beauty of this western Japanese gem.
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