Explore the charms of Kanazawa on foot! A 2-day/1-night model itinerary for a girls' trip.

[Day 1] Exploring "Contemporary Art" and "Food" in Kanazawa

On your first day of sightseeing in Kanazawa, start from Kanazawa Station and visit places like the Omicho Market, known as Kanazawa's kitchen, and Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens.

We started with a commemorative photo at the Tsuzumi Gate at Kanazawa Station.

Kanazawa Station is the only station in Japan to be selected as one of the "14 Most Beautiful Stations in the World." Exiting from the Kenrokuen Exit (East Exit), you'll find the glass structure known as the "Hospitality Dome," and beyond that, the station's symbol, the "Tsuzumi Gate."

The "Tsuzumi-mon" gate, which is modeled after a Noh drum, stands 13.7 meters tall and is truly impressive when viewed up close.Popular as a photo spotTherefore, taking commemorative photos would be a good idea.

Don't forget to leave your luggage at the station before you depart.To avoid carrying luggage, please use the coin lockers or luggage storage facilities located within Kanazawa Station, or the luggage delivery service at the Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center (all services are subject to a fee). The locations of each are as follows:Coin lockers are available in multiple locations within the station. Baggage storage... directly opposite the ticket office. Kanazawa Station Tourist Information Center... near the Kenrokuen ExitIf you're traveling by bus, head to the bus terminal on the east side.If you purchase a "Kanazawa City 1-Day Free Pass" at the information center, you can visit all the spots introduced in this article using only this pass.You can also purchase the digital version if you pre-register.

Seafood rice bowl lunch and street food at "Omi-cho Market"

It's about a 10-minute bus ride from Kanazawa Station. Our first destination is "Omicho Market." Let's enjoy lunch and street food while soaking up the lively atmosphere unique to a market.

Oguchi Suisan boasts the largest sales area in the Omi-cho Market and is popular for its grilled seafood corner.You can enjoy scallop skewers, cuttlefish tentacle skewers, sushi, and more. Depending on when you visit, you can also enjoy seasonal delicacies such as crab soup, which is sold only on weekends and holidays from around mid-November.

"Kaiten Sushi Okura," which offers a great lunch service, is also recommended.In particular, the Omi-cho Lunch (10-piece sushi platter with miso soup) is a great deal. Since it's limited to 10 servings, you might want to go early.

Within the market, you'll also find other establishments such as seafood rice bowl restaurants and shops serving Kanazawa-style oden (Japanese stew).

A photogenic experience that stimulates the senses at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, exhibits contemporary art works from both Japan and abroad.Outdoor permanent exhibits and indoor interaction zones are free of charge.You can enjoy it there. Shopping at the museum shop is also recommended.

The "Color Activity House" is an art installation featuring walls made of glass in the three primary colors, making it perfect for photos. You can also enjoy the sight of the colors changing as you walk between the glass panels.

The "Swimming Pool," which is considered synonymous with the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, is also a must-see.Looking down at the pool from above ground makes it appear as if there are people at the bottom, while looking up from underground gives you the strange sensation of being underwater.

To avoid crowds, if you plan to visit the paid area where the "Swimming Pool" is located, it is recommended to purchase tickets online in advance. If you wish to view the underground section of the "Swimming Pool," reserve your entry time slot on the day of your visit and then purchase your exhibition ticket.

Find solace in the seasonal scenery at Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens.

Kenrokuen Garden is considered one of Japan's three most famous gardens and is also a nationally designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Built by successive lords of the Kaga Domain, it is a representative Edo-period strolling garden with a large pond called Kasumigaike at its center.The Kotoji Lantern in the middle of the pond is a symbol of Kenrokuen Garden, so be sure to take a commemorative photo there.Let's take a picture.

One of the charms of Kenrokuen Garden is that you can enjoy spectacular scenery that changes with the seasons. In spring, you can see the rare Kenrokuen Chrysanthemum Cherry Blossom, and the cherry blossoms are also illuminated at night. In early summer, the garden is surrounded by fresh greenery, and in autumn, by vibrant autumn leaves.

Winter is a beautiful season for viewing "yukitsuri," the snow ropes used to protect tree branches from breaking under the weight of heavy snow. Among them, the snow ropes on the particularly large Karasaki pine tree in the park are so famous that they have been featured in the media.

Related article: [Winter sightseeing in Kanazawa] Snowscapes and gourmet food will make your heart flutter! A recommended trip for girls

Enjoy Kanazawa's culinary delights! A dinner featuring local ingredients.

After finishing our sightseeing in Kanazawa on the first day, let's go out for dinner.We recommend gourmet dishes using ingredients unique to Kanazawa, such as Noto beef, Nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), and Kaga vegetables.is.

Ushiju Teraoka, a Noto beef specialty restaurant run by a long-established butcher shop with over 100 years of history, offers dishes such as "Ushimabushi," which features Noto beef roast beef topped with gold leaf, as well as "Ushiju," a rice bowl dish made with Noto beef.

"Nodoguro Meshi" from "Nodoguro Meshi Honpo Itaru" is one of Kanazawa's specialties, featuring thick slices of blackthroat seaperch that have been seared to enhance their flavor and aroma. Finally, it is served with a rich, flavorful broth.

For a slightly more upscale experience, you could enjoy a kaiseki meal featuring traditional Kaga cuisine at Tsubajin, Kanazawa's oldest traditional Japanese restaurant. For those who enjoy alcoholic beverages, Slow Luck, a vegetable bar offering a variety of Kaga vegetables, is highly recommended.

Choosing the right base is important! 3 recommended hotels for girls' trips

Here are some hotels perfect for a girls' trip, featuring a wide range of amenities such as cleansing products, toners, and lotions.

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Castle

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Castle is located about a 5-minute walk from the Kenrokuen Exit (East Exit) of Kanazawa Station. It features a lobby with a modern Japanese design, and guests can also use the large public bath located in the annex.

There are 13 types of Guest rooms in total, and all rooms are equipped with memory foam pillows and down pillows.If you prefer a room with a separate bathroom and toilet, choose the "Deluxe Triple" room. If you prefer to stay in the same building as the large public bath, choose the "Annex Standard Twin" or "Annex Deluxe Twin" rooms. You can choose the perfect room to suit your preferences and the number of people in your party.

At the breakfast buffet, you can enjoy over 40 kinds of dishes, including local specialties such as Kanazawa oden and nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch).You can purchase a "Kanazawa City 1-Day Free Pass" at the hotel.Therefore, the fact that you can efficiently start sightseeing on the second day is also an attractive point.

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi is located in the heart of Katamachi, Kanazawa's bustling downtown area. It is Access from Kanazawa Station in approximately 17 minutes by bus and on foot.

Among the wide variety of Guest rooms,We especially recommend rooms equipped with "smart TVs" to make your hotel stay more enjoyable, and hair dryers and showerheads from the beauty brand "ReFa".You can choose from options such as the "Standard Twin" or the "Superior Triple Room 【33 ㎡ 】" with a separate bathroom and toilet.

The breakfast buffet offers over 40 different dishes, including Kanazawa curry, local specialty Jibu-ni stew, and French toast made with wheat gluten.

"HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi" isBy registering as a member of the "GoTo Pass" loyalty program and making a reservation, you can use the free lounge equipped with soft drinks, alcohol, and snacks.Therefore, it's a better deal (no membership fee or annual fee).

HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Kanazawa

HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Kanazawa is located a 5-minute walk from the west exit of Kanazawa Station. It features a wide range of amenities to support a comfortable stay, including a library room where guests can read and a 24-hour free fitness gym.

All Guest rooms are spacious, measuring 32 square meters or more.The beds are 120cm or wider (excluding extra beds), so you can relax and unwind comfortably.The Deluxe Twin, equipped with a smart TV and a ReFa hair dryer & showerhead, is recommended for girls' trips.is.

In addition to a breakfast buffet, the hotel's Restaurant offers Kanazawa specialties for dinner, including a platter of fresh seafood and chef's choice sushi. You can also purchase a "Kanazawa City 1-Day Free Pass" at the hotel.

[Day 2] Step back in time in the charming "Tea House District" and "Samurai Residences"

On the second day of sightseeing in Kanazawa, enjoy lunch and sweets while strolling through the charming teahouse district and samurai residences. Finally, we'll introduce some spots with a great selection of souvenirs.

Enjoy traditional townhouse cafes and gold leaf sweets in Higashi Chaya District.

Higashi Chaya District, one of Kanazawa's three geisha districts, is a beautiful streetscape with latticed windows and cobblestone streets, making it a popular spot for social media photos.

At Kaikaro, the largest teahouse building in Kanazawa, you can tour the interior and enjoy the famous golden kuzukiri at the attached cafe. Visiting Shima, which is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, is also recommended.Presenting a "Kanazawa City 1-Day Free Pass" entitles you to a discounted admission price.can.

One way to enjoy Higashi Chaya District is to stroll along the main street and the surrounding area, browsing the shops. In addition to famous sweets such as "gold leaf soft serve ice cream" and "Kanazawa pudding," there are many shops selling cosmetics and Japanese goods made with gold leaf, as well as Kutani ware tableware.

Lunch and a stroll around the Nagamachi Samurai District

Nagamachi Samurai District is an area where samurai residences from the feudal era still stand. The townscape, with its earthen walls and cobblestone streets, is beautiful, and it is also known for the "komogake" (straw matting) used to protect the earthen walls from freezing in winter.

There are cafes scattered around that offer a retro atmosphere, having been renovated from traditional townhouses and other buildings.For lunch, I recommend having it around the Nagamachi Samurai District.For example, the Kanazawa Kutani Museum located within the area has an attached obanzai (Kyoto-style home cooking) restaurant and cafe where you can enjoy homemade dishes made with plenty of Kaga vegetables and seasonal seafood from Ishikawa.

It would be a good idea to stop by the "Nomura Family Samurai Residence Site," where the building and gardens are open to the public, and enjoy matcha tea and dried sweets in the tea room.

A historical walking tour starting from "Nishi Chaya District"

Nishi Chaya District, along with Higashi Chaya District and Kazue-machi Chaya District, is known as one of Kanazawa's three most famous geisha districts. Visitors can enjoy the streetscape lined with beautiful geisha houses featuring latticed windows, as well as the Kanazawa City Nishi Chaya Museum, which recreates the luxurious atmosphere of a geisha house.

Within easy walking distance is the Teramachi temple district, home to approximately 70 temples and shrines, among which the most famous is "Shokyuzan Myoryu-ji," affectionately known as the "Ninja Temple."Visiting the interior of the temple is possible with a prior reservation.You can see hidden staircases and trapdoors disguised as offering boxes.

If you have time, we recommend visiting the Yoshiro and Yoshio Taniguchi Memorial Kanazawa Architecture Museum, which showcases the charm of architectural culture, or the Suzuki Daisetsu Museum, which features a water mirror garden that is a popular photo spot. Both are eligible for discounts with the Kanazawa City 1-Day Free Pass.

Choosing souvenirs at "Anto" in Kanazawa Station

After finishing your sightseeing in Kanazawa, head to Kanazawa Station. Finally, buy some souvenirs at "Anto" in "Kanazawa Hyakubangai" located inside the station before you go home."Anto" features over 80 shops where you can buy Japanese sweets, local sake, seafood, handicrafts, and more.

Takagiya Confectionery's "Kami Fusen" is a new kind of Japanese sweet, featuring a round monaka (wafer) filled with Japanese-style jelly (kintama). There is also a seasonal "Shunmi Kami Fusen." Fran-Doll's "Kanazawa Milk Manju Jiwaman," which was served as an in-flight meal in JAL's first class, is also recommended as a souvenir.

"Kakinoha-zushi," which is said to have originated as a tribute to Lord Toshiie Maeda, is a great option to buy to take home or as a bento box to enjoy on the Shinkansen.

Summary

Kanazawa is a tourist destination with many attractions, from its charming streets and photogenic art museums to local sweets and gourmet food. If you plan your visits in advance, you can efficiently explore the city without using a car.

For accommodation, we recommend a hotel conveniently located for sightseeing. A hotel with excellent in-room amenities and a good breakfast buffet will make your stay even more comfortable. Using the sightseeing itinerary we've introduced as a guide, why not plan a girls' trip to enchanting Kanazawa with your friends?