Kanazawa, once called the Little Kyoto of Kaga Hokuriku, turned out to be quite different when I actually went there

Kenroku-en Garden, located right next to Kanazawa Castle

The other day, I visited Kanazawa City to see the beautiful autumn leaves. Kanazawa is a city facing the Sea of Japan, strongly associated with cold weather and seafood. As the title suggests, it was once called the Little Kyoto of the Kaga (Hokuriku) region.

“Kaga” refers to the region located in present-day southern Ishikawa Prefecture, particularly known for the vast Kaga Domain that existed during the Edo period. This domain was called “Kaga Hyakumangoku” (Kaga of a Million Koku), making it one of Japan’s wealthiest regions at the time. Today, due to this historical background, the name “Kaga” is used as a symbol of richness and beauty in traditional culture, crafts, and food culture.

Kanazawa City’s central district has developed as a tourist area surrounding Kenroku-en Garden and Kanazawa Castle, located south of Kanazawa Station. Higashi Chayamachi, northeast of Kenroku-en, is particularly bustling with tourists.

For souvenirs from Kanazawa, we recommend traditional crafts like Wajima-nuri lacquerware and Kutani ware (Kutani-yaki). These are quite different. Wajima-nuri lacquerware, known as one of Japan’s three great lacquerware traditions, has deep colors that are very Japanese. On the other hand, Kutani ware (Kutani-yaki) is known for its bright, colorful designs.

On the first day of this trip, we visited the Ishikawa Prefectural Library, known for its modern architecture, and toured Kenroku-en Garden and Kanazawa Castle. On the second day, we circled around Kenroku-en Garden and Kanazawa Castle, then dined at Omicho Market, savoring crab, pufferfish, and Noto beef sushi. A new discovery this trip was the taste of Noto beef; its melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich aroma made for a special memory. Furthermore, the region boasts high-quality water, allowing us to enjoy fruity and rare sake. It’s truly a paradise for food lovers.

By the way, when traveling in Kanazawa, it’s important to use buses flexibly. However, unlike other regions, please note that in Kanazawa, contactless credit card payments are recommended over transportation IC cards.

When I first visited Kanazawa, I personally felt a sense of discomfort at the sight of gold-leaf-adorned tableware and food items displayed everywhere. While Kyoto boasts the Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion), a symbol of wabi-sabi, Kanazawa is filled with a gilded, flamboyant atmosphere. I realized the phrase “Little Kyoto of the Hokuriku region,” which I’d heard before, was completely wrong — I had been too fixated on Kyoto. Kanazawa has cultivated its own unique culture.