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 | Kanazawa Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 44 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (44) Within the Higashi Geisha district, the former Geisha house " Ochaya Shima" is open between 9am-6pm to the public to look round. It has been preserved in it's original form (apart from the toilets which happen to be western style) and gives a fascinating insight into the life of a geisha. The building displays an interesting range of artefacts ranging from musical instruments to hair ornaments and tea sets and is well worth a visit. (Price as of March 2005 was 400 yen with the option of payment an additional amount of 500 yen for Japanese tea) Leave a Comment Address: 1-13-21 Higashiyama, Kanazawa IshikawaPhone: +81-076-252-5675Directions: JR Kanazawa station-take central exit go straight down the main road opposite. Follow the road as it turns slightly to the left, turn left when the road comes to a T-Junction, go to the bridge and take the third right. It's on the 3rd block on the left.Website: http://www.ochaya-shima.com/english/
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Visiting Kanazawa?
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Most tourists make it to Kanazawa for one reason, Kenroku-en garden. Many will argue that it is Japan’s premier garden and you won’t hear me argue. I have visited the park well over 20 times now and learned all about how to see its beauty. It’s true that on my very first trip there I didn’t think it was all that great, but on subsequent visits I was able to look more deeply at the landscape and see why it is truly special. My advice is to take your time when walking around. Sit. Ponder. Listen to nature.
Of notable things to see in the park…
The very famous two legged lantern, in the lake.
The stunning lake, with traditional tea house.
Japan’s first fountain.
The park is also opened about half a dozen weeks throughout the year for free, most impressively during the cherry blossom season, when the park is busiest. At other times, there is a 300 yen fee.
*Combination discount tickets are available for Kenroku-en and Kanazawa castle (I believe you save 100 yen).
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Check out the amazing Ninja-dera, or Myoryu-ji is you want to see a “trick” temple with fascinating hidden passages, secret chambers and secret doors. A word of caution, you can’t go through on your own. You have to take a tour and its all in Japanese. If you ask though, they will give you a laminated book that explains what the tour guide is talking about. The book is not for keeps though. They only have one, so make sure you give it back at the end of the tour.
Cost 800 yen.
Hours of operation 9 to 4 (usually) Phone: 076-241-0888Directions: Five minutes walk south of the river.
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Let’s not split hairs here, Kanazawa-jo is not even close to the best castle you can see in Japan, but it’s only a 2 minute walk from Kenroku-en. You can walk through the castle ground for free and see the 2001 reconstructed version of the castle which now houses a museum (9-4:30pm, 300 yen). The “museum” inside highlights the construction techniques used but also gives way to a few nice views of the castle itself. Its certainly worth a look.
The castle actually doesn’t look bad and the grounds of the castle are well kept, with some wooded hills and trails to the side. It’s nice for a very short hike and will yield several scenic spots to see Kenroku-en and part of the city. Definitely worth your time.
The real attraction however is the Ishikawa-mon, the 18th century gateway to the castle. The gate is the main entrance way facing Kenroku-en park. There are also two storehouses which date from the same time that have been preserved.
*Combination discount tickets are available for Kenroku-en and Kanazawa castle (I believe you save 100 yen). Address: 1-1 Marunouchi, Kanazawa 920-0937Phone: 076-234-3800
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The Higashi Chaya district, or Geisha district as we call it here, is like a mini Kyoto. The district is a handful of blocks dating from the 1820s and is still filled with teahouses, shops seeing gold leaf items and some older Geisha still practicing their crafts. There are several festivals that take place in Higashi Chaya. It’s a very rewarding place to visit, especially if you haven’t been to the Geisha district in Kyoto. Directions: A 15 walk northeast of Kenroku-en, across the Asanagawa river.
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Kanazawa Castle was originally built in 1580 but has been entirely reconstructed. It had been one of the largest castles in Feudal times, but was burned down in 1881. The oldest part of the castle now is the entrance (Ishikawa-mon) which was rebuilt in 1788. The castle grounds are nice to have a wander around in, and inside the castle itself offers some great views over the city. There is also an interesting model of the castle and a plan of the surrounding area inside, which offers an insight into how the castle was built and how life was ordered. It costs 300yen to go inside the castle, but is free to wander around the grounds.
More pics in the travelogue.
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Kanazawa’s biggest festival, Hyakumangoku Matsui, is held in the second weekend of June, somewhere between the 10th to the 14th. The main event is a parade through the city, with hundreds of men clad in Samurai gear, women in traditional clothing, acrobats and a famous actor playing the king. It’s quite a spectacle and you’re bound to find something that entertains you. The festival runs through the whole week so it’s a good time to visit. Everyone is certainly in a festive mood.
The one down side is the festival is held at the beginning of the rainy season, so the weather is usually poor.
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The Friday night before the Hyakumangoku Matsui (Mid-June) there is a much more laid back and interesting event called the Floating Lantern parade. At this free event hundreds, if not thousands, of designed paper lanterns are illuminated with a real candle and sent down the river. Address: Asa gawaDirections: The lantern parade is held at the Asa gawa river, about 5 minutes walk from Kanazawa station.
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If you’re into modern art, check out the ultra hip 21st century museum. The museum has a large collection of “interesting” things that are free to view and play with. The inner exhibitions, which you must pay for, change periodically, so it’s a crap shoot. Might be good or maybe not.
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Kenroku-en is billed by the japanese as one of their 3 best gardens, and understandably so. We spent a couple of hours wandering through it and were captivated. It truly is a beautiful spot to be and a great space for the kids to 'have a stretch'. The name 'Kenroku-en' means 'garden of 6 qualities', the qualities being spaciousness, views, seclusion, water, ingenuity and antiquity. It adjoins the grounds to Kanazawa Castle, and combining the two makes a nice day. Admission is 300yen.
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on April 2, 2005
on April 15, 2007
on May 27, 2008
