After spending 5 very lively days in Tokyo, I was ready for some peace and quiet and Kanazawa provided just that. Travelling for just over 2 hours on the Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Kanazawa’s main train station, I found myself in a city that was scenic and provided a much slower pace that was conducive for relaxing.
Ryokan: I stayed in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese guest inn) – Maki No Oto, close to the Higashi Chaya district and even though I opted for a western style room, as Japanese rooms were only available for 2 people to share, the warm hospitality of the ryokan staff was undeniable. I was welcomed with some refreshing tea and the staff could not have been more attentive. What is different about Japanese rooms in a ryokan is that they have tatami mats on the floor and they will usually have a futon bed which is made up for you when needed as opposed to a ready made western bed. Regardless, shoes had to be taken off outside the room before entering and only certain slippers could be worn inside the rooms. The decor of the ryokan was minimalist, which made for a calm ambience. My room was overlooking a beautiful garden and a fusion Japanese breakfast was served in the morning.
Sushi Asanogawa: Dinner was an exquisite Omakase sushi dinner on my only night in Kanazawa at Sushi Asanogawa, just off the Asanogawa bridge. Each dish was expertly prepared by the chef on the spot- omakase means ‘leaving it up to the chef’ that meant that each dish was a surprise. This was one of the culinary highlights of my trip – the ingredients were so fresh and the amount of thought that went into each dish was evident. The chef took time to explain each dish in English as he served them one by one, which I rather appreciated. There were about 15 items served in total including hot miso soup and a grilled/cooked dish. They also offered quite an extensive drinks menu. The restaurant sits only around 6 guests at a time.
Higashi Chaya: I explored Higashi Chaya, one of the oldest parts of Kanazawa which is lined with traditional wooden houses and tea houses. There were signs for geisha entertainment and I spotted a couple of geishas on my walk which was a rarity. The general advise is not to take photos or bother them as tourists have been known to do. There were also shops selling gold leaf crafts and products, which Kanazawa is known for.
Other highlights: Kanazawa is famous for its seafood and this was obvious from the quality of the fish and seafood served at my omakase dinner at Asanogawa. There was the Kenroku-en garden and the Omicho market, which I did not have time to explore. I also stumbled upon quite an obscure museum – the ‘Museum of wooden Japanese sweet molds’ on my walk- Talk about a mouthful and a very niche museum! Unfortunately, it was closed being a Monday and I did not get to see what it was about. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed my stop in Kanazawa as it was less touristy and I felt that 1. It was far more representative of everyday life in Japan and 2. It provided a nice little breather before I headed to Kyoto for the next part of my trip.