Canazze 24 hours: City of Gold

Known as Japan’s “Little Kyoto”, Kanazawa is one of the few major cities in the country to avoid widespread damage during World War II, meaning that most of its Edo-Period architecture and cultural heritage still exists today. It is a charming and rustic city in Ishchuan Prefecture, known for its production of golden leaves, its well-preserved divine art district, and one of the three large gardens in Japan. With a wide range of museums and hearty food options, this is where you can spend a few days exploring. Unfortunately, we only had 24 hours.

Hyatt Regency Hotel Kanazawa

Our stay that night was Kanazawa of Hyatt Regency, which will celebrate its fifth anniversary this year. Just a two-minute walk from the station, this is a gallery-like hotel with over 100 works of art, almost all created by people living in or with connections to the area. After checking in, a staff member introduced us to some of the works displayed, from the entrance is a large leafy Japanese pine tree made of metal scissors and tools on navy blue canvas. Highlights of other tours include colorful kutani-yaki plates and rabbit statues – a tribute to Kyoka Izumi, a Rabbit writer born by Shinzawakawa.

Outstanding artworks are woven inside the Roofterrace bar on the 14th floor of the hotel. Combining sophisticated design with vibrant accents is the perfect place for evening drinks. Despite the heat, we sat on the terrace and watched the sun set on Kanazawa. The majestic view is with refreshing champagne Piña Colada, followed by the classic Daiquiri. Relax on the cozy sofa, where we could easily settle there in the evening, but we booked dinner at five o’clock – the barbecue and the lounge.

Heading to the third floor of the hotel, we were given a magnificent multi-course menu featuring internationally inspired dishes made using local ingredients from the Hokuriku area. From entertainment – Bush to grilled Noto beef beef lo, each plate is beautifully presented and tastes the paradise. What makes it even better is the wine pairing process, each beverage enhances the flavor and texture of the food. Feeling very full and a little pointed, it’s a great way to end a very pleasant night.

Gold experience

The next morning, strolling along the station area, the glass structure of the area is impressive Tsuzumi. We then returned to the hotel for a rich buffet breakfast including a delightful egg Benedict dish before heading to our morning activity: a golden leaf paste experience in Kanazazawa Shitsurae, the city’s renowned Higashi Chaya district. The booking also includes a ride in the “Lucky Golden Leaf Taxi”, a one-of-a-kind vehicle with about 1,200 gold pieces.

After arriving in fashion, we first got the gallery of Kanazawa Shitsurae, which displays high-quality crafts from the Hokuriku area. We were then escorted upstairs to our workshop. Our mission is to decorate the blackboard with gold circles. It was a subtle and fairly simple process, and with the help of our teachers it became much easier. Seeing the finished product – products that customers can take home as souvenirs – is exciting. While waiting for the plate to dry, we had a refreshing cup of matcha green tea and traditional Japanese sweetness.

With the seminar ending, we decided to stroll around the Higashiya Chaya district. The area is well-known for its stone pan alleys and well-preserved teahouses, and the area has been officially designated as a Japanese cultural asset. The picturesque streets are lined with a variety of souvenir shops and cafes, in addition to the two teahouses that are open to the public: Shima and Kaikaro. After a big breakfast we decided to skip lunch at Higashi Chaya, but we did have time to buy a soft serving ice cream covered with gold leaf from Hakuza.

Canazze Castle

Kanazawa Castle and Kenroke Garden

From Higashi Chaya district, it is about a 15-minute walk from Kanazawa Castle Park. Japan has a more impressive castle, but given its history and proximity to Kenlong Garden Gardens, it’s definitely worth a visit. Ruled by the powerful Meda clan for nearly 300 years, its longest-lasting features are the Ishikawa-Mon Gate and the two-story warehouse Sanjikken Nagaya, which were rebuilt in 1788 and 1858, respectively. The rest of the castle was rebuilt to restore the appearance before 1881. Showcases about the castle’s history in English can be found in various places around the park.

An important part of the castle’s history is the Kenrokuen Garden. The former playground for feudal lords and their peers was opened to the public in 1874, and the domain system was restored and abolished in Megi, which terminated the Meta family’s control over the area. It means “a garden of six elements”. This name refers to the ancient Chinese ideal of a perfect landscape garden, which is reflected through three pairs of characteristics: Spacious and seclusion, techniques and ancient, water sources and landscapes. Kenrokuen covers an area of ​​11 hectares (about 28 acres), far exceeding its reputation as one of the three large gardens in Japan.

Highlights include the tranquil beauty of Kasumigaike, a serene pond with the center of Horai Island, a sacred symbol of life and prosperity, and Kotoji Toro, the iconic two-legged stone lantern at the waterside. Another pond in the garden, Hisagoike, is smaller but picturesque, especially the view of the tranquil Midoritaki waterfall, played behind the 4.1m tall Kaiseki Pagoda. There are over 8,000 trees and 180 plants in the garden. It also has the oldest fountain in Japan and a pleasant little teahouse built in 1774.

Back to the station

The idea was to complete the trip by visiting the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the most famous Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool”. However, walking through the garden on a very warm day, we decided to go back to the station where we enjoyed some shopping and food before boarding Shinkansen. For our last Kanazawa seafood meal, we chose sushi. This is a satisfying way to conclude that there was a very pleasant 24 hours in Kanazawa.

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