 Discover Kanazawa (金沢市), Japan
Kanazawa, Japan
Author: Oilstreet (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)
Kanazawa (金沢市) is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture in central Japan. The city faces the Sea of Japan to the west, with the Japan Alps behind it. It has a population of 460,000 as of January, 2010.
Guide to Kanazawa Hotels
Here's a list of hotels in Kanazawa that you can book online, with full description, star rating, address, location map, evaluation, and prices as offered by different booking sites.
More on Kanazawa
The name Kanazawa means "marsh of gold". The name comes from a local legend, where a peasant named Imohori Togoro (Togoro the Potato Digger) was digging potatoes when he chanced upon gold flakes.
At the centre of Kanazawa is a replica of the feudal-period Kanazawa Castle. The original burned down in 1888, with only some of its side buildings still standing.
For a few centuries until the late 16th century, Kanazawa - then known as Kaga - was ruled by the local peasant in the form of a republic. This came to an end in 1580, when a general named Sakuma Morimasa took over it. His rule was shortlived. Three years later, the powerful shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his guard Lord Maeda Toshiie invaded and captured the town.
The 16th to the 17th centuries Kanazawa was pretty much under the rule of the Maeda family. It was a prosperous time for the city, and the vast wealth was channelled into the arts and crafts. Gold-leaf work, lacquerware and calligraphy were refined during this period.
The Meiji Restoration disbanded the feudal system and all the trappings that went with it. Castles were victims of the Restoration, being symbols of the outmoded systems. Kanazawa Castle escaped the fate, for a brief period, as it was the base of the Ninth Division of the Imperial Army.
Budget Travel to Kanazawa
Perhaps the most practical way to reach Kanazawa is by train. And you will be arriving at the futuristic Kanazawa Station.
From Tokyo Station, you have two options. Firstly, you can take the Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari train, and then transfer at Maibara to the Shirasagi limited express to reach Kanazawa. The entire journey takes 4 ¼ hours and a regular ticket costs ¥15,000. You can use the Japan Rail Pass for the journey.
The other option is to take the Joestu Shinkansen train to Echigo-Yuzawa, and change to the Hakutaka to reach Kanazawa. This takes just 4 hours and costs ¥13,000. The league between Echigo-Yuzawa and Naoetsu is on a non-JR line. Holders of the Japan Rail Pass has to pay a ¥1450 surcharge each way. The Rail Pass covers your ride on the Shinkansen and the Hakutaka to Naoetsu, beyond that to Kanazawa is an additional ¥5,500.
Budget Travel within Kanazawa
The best way to get around in Kanazawa is to take the bus. There is a tourist bus that makes a loop connecting the major sights. A single trip costs ¥200. Daily passes are available for ¥500. You can also hire a bicycle at the JR Kanazawa station to ride around.
Photos of Kanazawa
Gyokusenen Garden, Kanazawa
Author: 663highland (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0)
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Places of Interest in Kanazawa
- Kenroku-en Garden
One of the Great Three Gardens of Japan.
- Seisonkaku Villa
Villa of Lord Maeda Nariyasu built in 1863 for his mother.
- Kanazawa Castle
One of the largest feudal castles in Japan.
- Oyama Shrine
Shrine dedicated to Maeda Toshiie.
- Nomura House
House that offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Samurai.
- Nagamachi Kaga Yuzen Silk Center
Housed in a former Samurai residence, center that shows the production of silk for the kimono.
- 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum that exhibits emerging new visual arts, design, craft, fashion, architecture and film.
- Ishikawa Prefecture Traditional Products and Crafts Museum
Museum that exhibits the traditional products and crafts of the region.
- Ishikawa Prefecture Art Museum
Museum exhibiting the art collection of the Maeda lords.
- Honda Museum
Museum exhibiting the possessions of the Honda family.
- Pleasure District
Grandest pleasure district outside Kyoto and Edo.
- Shima Geisha House
One of the best known Geisha houses in Kanazawa.
- Fukushina Shamisen
Workshop of the shamisen run by the Fukushima family.
- Sakuda Gold-leaf Store
Store selling golf-le4af items, and chronicling the history of golf-leaf in Kanazawa.
- Myoryu-ji Temple
Nichiren temple in southern Kanazawa.
- Kutani Kosen Kiln
The only kiln in Kanazawa, where Kutani porcelain is produced.
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