Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, boasts a diverse array of attractions, from traditional historical districts to modern art museums. Located along the Sea of Japan, Ishikawa is also known for its fresh seafood, making it a great destination for culinary delights. Let's explore some of the best activities to fully enjoy Kanazawa, ranging from classic to unique local experiences.
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What is Kanazawa, Ishikawa Like?
Kanazawa is home to Kanazawa Station, once chosen as one of the "14 Most Beautiful Stations in the World," and Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most famous gardens. The city is also dotted with picturesque spots like the Higashi Chaya District, where traditional teahouses line the streets.
Additionally, Kanazawa boasts several hot spring resorts, such as Yuwaku Onsen, Fukatani Onsen, and Saigawa Onsen, all within a 30-minute drive from the city center, offering visitors the charm of a hot spring town.
7 Recommended Activities in Kanazawa
Kanazawa is rich in tourist spots and offers a wealth of activities where you can experience traditional Japanese culture. Enjoy activities from quick and easy to all-day experiences, customizable to fit your travel plans.
1. Gold Leaf Application Experience
Kanazawa produces 99% of Japan’s gold leaf, making it a symbol of the city’s opulence. Gold leaf delicately decorates food and sweets, offering a visual and luxurious treat. One unique experience in Kanazawa is enjoying a soft-serve ice cream completely wrapped in a sheet of gold leaf.
There are several specialized shops in Kanazawa where you can experience gold leaf application. You can choose from a variety of programs, allowing you to apply gold leaf to small plates, hand mirrors, or trinket boxes. These activities are affordable and take a short amount of time, making them a perfect way to create lasting memories of your visit to Kanazawa.
👉 https://www.kinpaku.co.jp/english/
2. Day Trip Sightseeing Tour
Kanazawa is home to a plethora of must-see attractions, such as the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Omicho Market, Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen Garden, and the Higashi Chaya District. These sites are conveniently clustered within the city, allowing visitors to tour multiple attractions in a single day. Whether you're soaking up the rich history or enjoying the contemporary aesthetic, there are endless ways to experience Kanazawa.
While researching and planning your own sightseeing route can be a delightful part of the travel experience, it can also be a bit cumbersome. In such cases, consider joining a tour. Tours offer an efficient way to visit key spots and are often led by knowledgeable guides who can enhance your understanding of each site. With the increase in inbound tourism, there are more tours available with multilingual support. Make the most of your time and savor the charm of Kanazawa through these convenient tour options.
3. Wagashi Making
Kanazawa, a town known for its tea ceremony culture, is also famous for producing delicate and lovely wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets). There are many facilities where you can experience making authentic wagashi under the careful guidance of skilled artisans. Even if you have no prior experience, there's no need to worry, so if you have a sweet tooth, why not give it a try?
Among the sweets you should try is the "jōnamagashi" (japanese moist sweets) made with nerikiri-an, which is actually used in tea ceremonies. Using tools such as spatulas, tea towels, and sieves, you can create wagashi through trial and error, resulting in a unique piece that is one of a kind. You need to be careful about the expiration date, but it might be nice to take it home as a memory. Also, comparing the taste is popular as one of the fun aspects.
👉https://kanazawa-kankou.jp/en/
4. Kutani Porcelain Painting Experience
Kutani ware refers to colored porcelain produced in Kanazawa City, Komatsu City, Kaga City, and other parts of southern Ishikawa Prefecture. It is one of Japan's representative colored porcelain, with its charm lying in its patterns. As the name of the experience we are introducing suggests, it features a technique called "overglaze painting", where patterns are drawn on the porcelain with pigments after the initial firing, and then fired again to finish. The elegant patterns, known as "gosai-de" (five-color hand), in red, yellow, green, purple, and navy blue, are strikingly beautiful.
At "Traditional Craft Village Yunokuni no Mori", you can casually experience the overglaze painting of Kutani ware, and create original patterned plates, teacups, and more. The cost varies depending on what you make, but it's also nice that you can take home a unique souvenir.
👉https://yunokuninomori.jp/?lang=en
👉 Recommended Leisure, Experience Activities, Play, Sightseeing Information in Ishikawa
5. Rickshaw Experience
The rickshaw experience in Kanazawa, where you can tour the city with a local guide who knows the area well, is also very popular. You can visit famous sightseeing spots such as "Higashi Chaya District" and "Kazue-machi Chaya District" in about 30 minutes, allowing you to feel the historic streets and atmosphere of Kanazawa firsthand. The rickshaw pullers are all highly knowledgeable about Kanazawa, so by actively asking questions, you can gain a deeper understanding of the city's charm.
With the increase in international tourists, the number of rickshaw pullers who can speak various languages has also increased recently, lowering the barrier to using this service. This allows you to enjoy your trip to Kanazawa without the stress of language differences, making it a recommended activity. Additionally, it can be used by individuals, so even solo travelers can easily sign up. Of course, it can be enjoyed by couples or friends as well, making it suitable for any situation.
👉https://romanya-kanazawa.com/
👉Recommended Leisure, Experience Activities, Play, and Sightseeing Information in Ishikawa
6. Mizuhiki Crafts
In Kanazawa, you can also experience the not-so-familiar craft of Mizuhiki. Mizuhiki refers to the decorative cords used on the front of celebratory and condolence envelopes. Crafts made using these cords, and the technique itself, are called Mizuhiki crafts. Many people in Japan may have seen them when wrapping money for celebrations or condolences, but they may not be so common overseas. Since the Edo period, it has been customary to attach Mizuhiki to gifts, and it is a unique Japanese culture.
The long-established "Tsuda Mizuhiki Origata", with a history of over 100 years, is the birthplace of Mizuhiki crafts. In their Mizuhiki experience class, various menus are available, and you can decide what to make after looking at the samples. Why not enjoy a truly unique Japanese, and Kanazawa-specific, experience?
👉https://mizuhiki.jp/inquiry/mizuhikitaiken.html
7. Kimono Rental
If you want to make your trip to Kanazawa a special memory, we recommend renting a kimono. While it has become a staple in picturesque cities like Kyoto and Asakusa in Tokyo, wearing a kimono allows you to experience an extraordinary time. Photos and videos taken while dressed in a kimono will become irreplaceable memories.
The timeless beauty of kimonos transcends racial and linguistic barriers, captivating many people. Many facilities offer services in foreign languages, making it easy for international tourists to rent kimonos without any stress. Professional stylists carefully select kimonos or yukatas that suit each customer, ensuring a smooth and worry-free experience.
Once you're dressed, don't be shy and take a stroll around the town. The traditional streets of Kanazawa and the kimono match more than you might imagine, and you might be surprised at how naturally you blend into the scenic surroundings.
👉VASARA Kimono and Yukata Rental in Kanazawa
Enjoy activities in Kanazawa!
From the classic tourist activities of kimono rental and rickshaw rides to the unique experiences of gold leaf application and Kutani ware overglaze painting, we have introduced a wide range of activities that will add color to your trip to Kanazawa. Each of these activities offers a special touch to your visit, so be sure to try them when you come to Kanazawa.
👉 Kanazawa | Special photo shoot plan [3 hours, 300 shots] Proposal
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