Summary
Today marked our final day in the Ishikawa prefecture, following an enriching adventure from the previous day. We aspired to maximize our time in this captivating region.
We embarked on an early train journey on the Kitasen Ishiwaka Line back to Kanazawa, the capital city of the prefecture.
With our Shinkansen departure scheduled for approximately 5 PM, we had ample time to explore the city.
Upon arrival, we deposited our luggage at the station and made our way to the Nishi Chaya District, recognized as the Geisha Area of Kanazawa, where Geisha houses continue to thrive.
While there may not be an abundance of attractions on the street, visitors can appreciate the historic architecture of the Geisha District and gain insights into the area at the Nishi Chaya Shiryokan Museum, which we decided to visit.
Within the museum, we gained a deeper understanding of how guests are entertained by Geishas and the traditional practices associated with this culture.
We dedicated about 30 to 60 minutes to this insightful visit before proceeding to stimulate our appetites for lunch.
Just a short taxi ride from the Geisha District took us to Kincha-ryo, which might be one of my favorite Japanese restaurants ever visited.
Similar to the Ryokan in Hakusan City, Kincha-ryo presented a kaiseki lunch comprising various courses.
Upon arrival, we were escorted into a cozy area that overlooked the city, creating an incredible ambiance.
We commenced our meal with tea and refreshing plum juice, followed by a series of exquisite courses.
Our meal began with a delicate plate featuring fresh raw tuna and roe, succeeded by a salted mozuku drink derived from seaweed. This was followed by succulent octopus paired with miso soup and rice, a traditional penultimate course of a kaiseki lunch.
Ultimately, the meal culminated in a simple yet beautifully presented dessert of fresh fruit.
Every course was exquisitely arranged, resembling pieces of art, solidifying this experience as one of the finest dining occasions in Japan.
With our hunger satisfied and aware of the passing time, we navigated to the Teramachi Temple and the famed Ninja Temple, allowing us to explore the historical precincts of the city.
The Ninja Temple acquired its nickname due to its innovative architecture, featuring numerous secret passageways and hidden chambers designed for evasion.
Although guided tours are necessary to navigate the interior due to its labyrinthine structure, we opted not to pursue this and instead explored the surrounding grounds, discovering various concealed features, including the hollow stairs used as hiding spots.
At this juncture, with the sun reaching its zenith, we proceeded to Tsuda-Mizuhiki-Origata for a refreshingly cool indoor experience make mizuhiki-zaiku.
This presented a new challenge for me. Despite my efforts, I seemed to struggle with the intricate hand-eye coordination required for this endeavor.
Fortunately, we had a patient instructor who provided detailed guidance throughout the process, enabling us to successfully create our own pin badges.
Before we knew it, the clock struck 4 PM, signaling our impending departure on the bullet train back to Tokyo, leaving us astonished by the wonders of the Ishikawa Prefecture.
The journey surpassed my expectations, allowing me to appreciate an alternative side of Kanazawa’s cultural richness.
Up Next: Exploring the Historic Side of Yokohama
