Quick Overview
1. Introduction to Kanazawa
As you probably know, Japan is a country filled with rich culture, stunning cities, incredible islands, and delectable food. After numerous visits to Tokyo and exploring Kyushu Island, we felt inspired to discover more regions we had yet to explore, and that’s where Kanazawa in the Ishikawa Prefecture comes into play.
Ishikawa Prefecture is located on Honshu Island, overlooking the Sea of Japan. Surprisingly, despite its appeal, Kanazawa was a city I had not considered visiting before. This level of novelty made it particularly exciting as it provided new opportunities for discovery.
2. Getting to Kanazawa
After taking an overnight flight from London to Tokyo, we navigated the Tokyo metro, which can be quite overwhelming. Fortunately, we arrived at the Shinkansen with about twenty minutes to spare. A helpful conductor guided us in purchasing the right tickets, which was a relief!
The Shinkansen ride lasted around 2 to 2.5 hours, allowing for a brief recharge before arriving in Kanazawa around midday. This timing was a perk of our overnight flight, as it gave us an extra day to explore Japan.
3. Exploring Kanazawa
After settling in at our hotel, we ventured out into the sweltering summer heat. I quickly learned that July in Japan can be intense! After wandering Kanazawa’s vibrant streets, we found refuge in the Noh Museum. Before learning about Noh—a traditional Japanese form of theater—we were allowed to try on traditional outfits and masks, which was an exciting cultural experience.
4. Cultural Experiences
The Noh performance emphasizes the subtlety of movement while keeping facial expressions static. Therefore, every gesture had to be intentional and precise while donning these intricate costumes, which were surprisingly heavy. The craftsmanship of Noh masks and costumes reflect decades of cultural heritage, which made the experience even more significant.
With help from the museum staff, we learned the significance of movement and tradition in this ancient art form. After our Noh experience, we took the time to visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, where I was instantly drawn to numerous installations, beckoning us to explore.
5. Culinary Adventures
Throughout our journey, Kanazawa’s cuisine was equally appealing. One of the highlights was indulging in traditional Kaiseki dining. The restaurant we chose was unassuming from the outside but offered an intimate setting for us to witness the creation of each dish right before our eyes. The freshness of the tuna sashimi was particularly memorable.
6. Conclusion
After a fulfilling day exploring Kanazawa, we returned to our hotel, excited about our upcoming adventures around Ishikawa Prefecture. Given the experiences of this day, we knew we were in for a treat as we continued to uncover what this beautiful region had to offer.
