Kanazawa x Snow in Cool Japan ❄️ : Japan Travel Guide

Kanazawa is a compact city with marvelous tourist attractions that we can’t help but stop by. From one among the top 3 beautiful Japanese gardens in the country to the most stylish Art Museum with pool photo spots, including a bazaar people confirm is as good as Tokyo. Well, offering this much, shouldn’t we stop by? Let’s see if this is real-good by reading the below trip review. START!

Japan Trip: Osaka-Kyoto-Nara-Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama

OMG, this is the 4th Japan trip in my life! The last 3 trips I went there for 3 consecutive years, and the strange thing was I always traveled there in February every past year. I too don’t understand why (LOL). For the 2019 Japan trip, I really want to go back to Kansai, especially Osaka-Kyoto-Nara because the first time I visited there, it was 4-5 years ago. I didn’t make a blog yet so I want to do it again this time. I love to make a useful trip review for those who want to follow my tracks!

The other Hokuriku areas such as Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama, I also want to make it there because Shirakawa-go village is Thai tourists’ popular attraction. Besides, I want to visit the light-up festival as I heard each winter, Shirakawa-go organizes the event only for 4-5 days. Oh, this sounds interesting! Well, if you want to know how beautiful and fun this trip will be. Please follow me, everyone!

1. Review: Osaka
2. Review: Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
3. Review: Kyoto // In the writing process
4. Review: Nara 
5. Review: Kanazawa
6. Review: Shirakawa-go
7. Review: Takayama

JR Pass: Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

For this trip, not using the train pass is not recommended at all. If anyone follows this path (Osaka-Kyoto-Nara-Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama), there isn’t a train pass that would be as suitable as the JR Pass: Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. We can use it since leaving the airport. From this platform, we’ll go straight from Kansai Airport to Kyoto. Then, continue to traverse by visiting Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama city, then return to Osaka on the last day of the pass expiry date.

The JR Pass: Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is priced at 14,000 yen (about 131 USD), it gives you a 5-day active period upon activation. You should buy in advance about 2 weeks before traveling so the Exchange Order will be delivered to your home address first, then redeem it for the original pass at the JR Ticket Office.

To purchase this pass, it’s a recommendation to look via KLOOK as usual because it’s easy to buy, convenient to pay, everything can be done through the KLOOK application itself. Anyone who wants to read more details as well as seeing the updated price, click Buy / View price > JR Pass: Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass here

Start Kanazawa + Buy the Hokutetsu One Day Pass

Of course, I used the JR Pass: Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass by taking the JR Thunderbird train straight from Kyoto to Kanazawa at 10 am. By the time I dragged the suitcase into the accommodation, it was almost 11 (AW!). The day’s plan seemed to have many places but it was not tiring as you guys think, just keep strolling.

1. Omicho Market
2. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art – Kanazawa
3. Higashi Chaya District
4. Kanazawa Castle
5. Kenroku-en Garden

Each tourist destination is somewhat apart. The most convenient way to travel is by taking a bus. (there’s no subway around) So I recommend everyone to buy the Hokutetsu One Day Pass for 500 yen, you can get on the unlimited buses and relieve worries about finding coins to pay for the fares. It’s very easy to use, just show the pass to the bus drivers. That’s it! As for the price, if you don’t by the bus pass, you have to pay 200 yen per bus at a time. Just getting on 3 buses is already worth your spending.

There are many places to buy the Hokutetsu One Day Pass, including a Tourist Information at JR Kanazawa station, many top hotels in the city, or opposite of Omicho Market. Recommend details about the pass, guide map, bus route, and where to buy all the passes, click here > www.hokutetsu.co.jp

Omicho Market

At first, I excluded the Omicho Market in my plan list, but when I checked in and left the suitcase at the hotel. I searched for the info to find places to eat. Fortunately, Omicho Market is nearby which takes only 5 mins walk. It’s extremely close! So, lunchtime began in this market. For those who like fresh seafood, sashimi, sushi, please come here. It’s thumbs up!

The must-eat is Sashimi menus. Let’s walk straight to the shop where they display raw fresh fishes. Here, I ordered salmon, Hotate clams, sea urchins, and tuna. The food was very fresh. Customers all gathered around and ate right there, it was crowded (LOL) // Another outstanding and must-try product in this market is a king crab. I’m not a big fan of any species of crab. So, let’s PASS! Haha, but if you like it, give it a shot!

‘Sushi’ is the other choice I suggest. If you take a walk continuously, on the left-hand side, there are many shops providing seats to eat. There’s also a kiosk selling Sushi pack which is cheap and tasty. For me, the 100 scores most delicious Sushi is a lean tuna. In English menu is written as ‘Fatty Tuna’. This one is more heaven-taste than a normal salmon or tuna I’ve ever tried. OMG, while I’m writing this, it still makes my mouth-watering.

After stomach filled, walk inside a bit before heading out to the next attraction. There’re many restaurants in this market and if you observe carefully, there is a mall with Dunkin Donuts located in the front, this building contains only restaurants. You can come to eat at any daytime because it’s closed late than the market.

21^st Century Museum of Contemporary Art – Kanazawa

From Omicho Market, take a bus to the snazzy 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art – Kanazawa where they arrange a popular photo spot as if you dive under the pool. If you’re familiar with this setting shown in pictures. Yes, here it is! Let’s take a peek. // however, the museum title is kinda long and the place is also packed with visitors, haha.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art – Kanazawa is divided into zones, ranging from the museum front which settles Public Installation Arts, opening for a free visit. Then, inside is also divided into 2 main zones, both are the permanent exhibition and traveling exhibition. This one, you have to pay for an admission fee. There’re two prices you can choose (but I don’t remember what it is LOL). I bought a 1,000-yen ticket to explore in every zone. And if you show the Hokutetsu One Day Pass, the price will reduce to 800 yen. Don’t forget to show your pass!

Personally, I think the art museum here is nice because the exhibit Fine Arts is not too Abstract which I quite like, plus the meaning behind those works is easy to communicate. From the museum front, there was the shown work called ‘Color Activity House’ which drew a lot of people to take pictures, the concept was displayed CMYK printing color on glass, and used each color glass overlapping to create other colors. If any of you study the color theory, you may understand this right away LOL.

The favorite spot for everyone is the imitated Swimming Pool in the basement hall. When I got in there, I felt like I was really in a pool. The printout photos are very chic // don’t worry, this area is allowed you to take pictures.

As for the inside, there are many more exhibitions. Overall, there are more than 20 rooms in which I will not write the details much because taking a photo isn’t allowed there. So I suggest you go and see it by your own eyes. If I write without reference images, you may get confused!

Higashi Chaya District

Taking the bus and getting off at the Asanogawa Bridge. This is another beautiful and charming viewpoint so I stopped by to take some photos before heading to the Higashi Chaya District. If any of you have free time, you can try strolling along the river. Wow, this looks stunning. It was a pity that my plan was quite tight so I had no chance of walking around.

Walk straight and turn right, you’ll find various shops along the street. Then, there’s the Higashi Chaya District teahouse which is an ancient two-story building, standing parallel across one another. These buildings are traditional teahouses in the olden day Japanese people often came to celebrate and admire the beauty of the Geisha show. As you may see the long rows of these ancient buildings, but only a few teahouses still maintain the original style for over 180 years, which is called ‘Shima Geisha House’. Whoever is interested in this, should have a look!

Because at the time I was so hungry, so I didn’t get in. I tried to find a restaurant near the teahouses but there wasn’t any. Actually, I found one but it closed! I walked for a while but there were only a snack and souvenir shops. With my tummy rumbling, I strolled the outside area. The atmosphere was Japanesy and had a hidden charm. It’s a must-come attraction although there aren’t many things to do. But sightseeing and learning this area, I think it’s worth your time.

Kanazawa Castle – Kenrokuen Garden Illumination

For anyone visiting Kanazawa during February, I suggest you attend the Kanazawa Castle – Kenrokuen Garden Illumination which has a specific period. This year (2019) light-up event held only 19 days, from 1 – 19 February at 5.30 – 9.00 pm. If you plan to travel next year during winter, you have to check the updated schedule. Overall, I appreciated it, I felt lucky I traveled during that period.

Kanazawa Castle

It was getting late when I left the Higashi Chaya District. At first, I waited for the bus but it took so long time, in the end, it didn’t show up. So, I told my friends to walk until reaching Kanazawa Castle. Well, it was already dark so the gate was closed, we had to wait until the next turn at 5:30 pm when they re-opened for visitors to see the light event inside. In conclusion, I didn’t get in, only took pictures of Kanazawa Castle with many angles and depth perspective. Even by looking from here, it was attractive. Think about the light-up inside, what a shame!

Kenroku-en Garden

5 pm, I was walking through Kanazawa Castle to the Kenroku-en Garden entrance which was closed for the light-up event preparation. I never had a clue this garden event would be so popular. It was popular to the point where people flocked in a queue at 5 pm, then waited for the gate to open at 5:30.  I saw people lined up, so I took my chance too even though it was freezing as the temperature was 2-3 degrees LOL.

Kenroku-en Garden is regarded as one of the top 3 beautiful gardens in Japan. The garden name means ‘The Six-Factor Garden’ describes as the perfection under Chinese tradition which is large, peaceful, gimmicky, original, flowing water, and garden view.

When the gate opened, hundreds of people walked into the Kenroku-en Garden. I advise you to hurriedly walk along the path so you can reach the peak spot which is the pond located in the central area. The reason I recommend you head there first because the lighting event will limit people to the pond area by queuing and manage people in little by little. If you arrive late, the flickering daylight will run out. After enjoying the scenery, I assure you it’s very astonishing. I give 10/10.

The unique and memorable Kenroku-en Garden is the picture of the pond with ropes spreading all over a bunch of pine trees like a roof. It is known as ‘Yukisuri’, a pearl of Japanese folk wisdom they’ve created to prevent snow covering trees until its collapse. I think it looks fancy, I adore it, haha.

At Kenroku-en Garden, you can sight the Kanazawa city view too, very beautiful!

Finish from the pond in the central area, now, it’s time to chill out amid the lights and wintry (it was freaking cold!). the recommended route is to walk along the pond and across to the opposite side where there is a teahouse on the hill called ‘Sazae Yama’, you can see the panorama-viewed from there, it’s a popular spot to take pictures. The pine trees picture taken from this hill is also the advertising picture Japan likes to promote the garden, haha.

Wandering around for a while, then exited the garden because I could no longer endure the cold weather. fancy going back to the hotel, LOL // I got on the bus by using the bus pass, then planned to have a good sleep because the next day, we moved to Takayama to visit Shirakawa-go. Hooray!

Accommodation in Kanazawa City

In Kanazawa city, there’re 3 most popular neighborhoods which are; 1) JR Kanazawa Station, from here we can easily access to other cities, no need to find a taxi or bus to get to other Kanazawa areas. 2) Omicho Market where food is all around, especially the fish market, this area is not far from Kanazawa Station. 3) Korinbo, surrounding by department stores and brand-name shopping stores. So, decide on your fav area? As for me, I chose the Hotel Resol Trinity Kanazawa which is opposite the Omicho Market.

Hotel Resol Trinity Kanazawa

Hotel Resol Trinity Kanazawa is quite far from JR Kanazawa Station. But if you like walking, it takes 15-20 mins to walk, the distance from the train station to the hotel is about 1 km.

The hotel location is excellent because it’s opposite the Omicho Market where you can directly walk to find food to eat. There are many shopping malls around the hotel, including LAWSON, Family Mart and 7-Eleven, 100% you’ll not starve, LOL.

Hotel Resol Trinity Kanazawa is a fair 4-star hotel. The Lobby provides a space to sit, also a free tea and coffee press cabinet at all times. During winter, if you come to sit inside, sip hot tea with your cold hands, the feeling would be very nice. The tea is aromatic! As for the room, it’s a good standard. I slept in a Triple Non-Smoking room for 3 people with a price of 125 USD per night. Full facilities, STRONG heater, comfortable sleep. I have no point to complain, LOL. // So, it’s a YES and I recommend this!

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