4 hours evening sightseeing in Kanazawa, Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 8

2016 winter Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku
One of the gates of Kanazawa castle
One of the gates of Kanazawa castle
One of the gates of Kanazawa castle

This post is continued from Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 7, visit Takayama and Kanazawa.

On the last part of 5th day, I visited several places in Kanazawa. Actually I did not plan to stay in Kanazawa when I built a plan. But I found Kanazawa held winter light up event. I changed the plan. I would like to show you this event in this post.

Check in AB Hotel Kanazawa

I exited Kanazawa station from west exit.

Walkway in Kanazawa station
Walkway in Kanazawa station

This hotel is one of the newest hotels in Kanazawa. And this hotel is one of the closest hotel to Kanazawa station. It’s located just beside the west gate of Kanazawa station.

Step our from west exit and see the right side, this building is just located there.
Step our from west exit and see the right side, this building is just located there.

Actually most of attractions in Kanazawaa are not located around the station. But my trip was crazy busy and depart in early morning always. I always try to find the hotel near station.

This hotel, AB Hotel Kanazawa is very new. It was opened in April, 2015. I found very cozy room at 5,800 yen per night. It includes free breakfast buffet and huge public bath (Onsen style).

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This hotel is just next to Kanazawa station. The location is super good and the facility is very nice. I highly recommend you to stay in this hotel.

Check the rate of AB Hotel Kanazawa

After check in this hotel, I went to several popular spots in Kanazawa.

Visiting Higashi-Chayagai

Kanazawa station 18:15 (City bus) 18:35 Hashibacho bus stop 18:35 (walk) 18:40

There are many bus running in Kanazawa station. You can check the destination and departure time at the sign board.

Bus departure sign board at Kanazawa station east exit
Bus departure sign board at Kanazawa station east exit

But most of buses go to major spots, like Kenrokuen, Kanazawa castle. And the bus runs very very frequently. I took bus several times and did not need to buy unlimited ride pass. But if you intend to spend whole or even half day, you can purchase one day bus pass at 500 yen. You can get the worth by three rides.

Hokutetsu bus one day pass (English site)

I visited Higashi-Chayagai first. This is preserved district and listed on National heritage.

Higashi-Chayagai
Higashi-Chayagai

When I was there, rain started to drop. It was chilly and quiet night. But I really loved the atmosphere in this district.

Visiting light up event at Kanazawa castle and Kenrokuen garden

Higashi-Chayagai 18:50 (City bus) 19:15 Kenrokuen Garden / Kanazawa castle

Even though it was raining, I walked to Kenrokuen Garden. I thought it was 10-15 minutes walk. But it was way far that my thought. I almost spent 30 minutes to get there. It was a big mistake!

Anyway I walked up to the hill to get Kenrokuen Garden. I could see Kanazawa castle too. But I visited there after visiting Kenrokuen Garden.

Several stores were still open. I could get an umbrella.
Several stores were still open. I could get an umbrella.
Kanazawa castle is located at other side of the road.
Kanazawa castle is located at other side of the road.

Admission was free during this night event in Kenrokuen Garden. Raining was getting harder but there were many tourists. Kenrokuen Garden is well know as one of “Three Gardens in Japan” with Kairakuen Garden (Mito) and Kourakuen Garden (Okayama).

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2016 winter Japan trip 842

I might be able to see the snow in Kanazawa. But this past winter was very very mild. If it was snowing, the view should be more amazing.

I visited Kanazawa castle next. This castle is open for public as the park. This park was other venues of light up event.

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2016 winter Japan trip 854

Kanazawa castle and Kenrokuen are connected by overpass. Castle is located at other side of the road but you can get castle directly from Kenrokuen.

I took the bus to get back to Kanazawa station. And I decided the place to eat when I planed this trip.

Sushi dinner at Morimori Sushi

Kenrokuen-Shita bus stop 20:00 (Nohi bus) 20:20 Kanazawa station

I choose “Mori Mori Zushi” in Kanazawa Forus. This is shopping building that is locates just beside Kanazawa station east exit.

If you see left hand side when you exit Kanazawa station east exit, you can find this building easily.
If you see left hand side when you exit Kanazawa station east exit, you can find this building easily.

This sushi restaurant is very popular in Kanazawa and located on 6th floor in Kanazawa Forus. There are two sushi restaurant and both are under same owner, Mori Mori Zushi. But one is Kaiten Zushi (conveyor belt sushi) and other one serves only set menu. They do not even single item. However Kaiten Zushi is much much more popular than other Mori Mori Zushi. You have to expect very long waiting time. I was solo traveler but I had to wait for 40 minutes.

But sushi was great!

We can order by iPad in four different language, Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese.
We can order by iPad in four different language, Japanese, English, Korean and Chinese.
It was very tough day but beer and sushi made me super happy! :)
It was very tough day but beer and sushi made me super happy! 🙂

Most of Kaiten Zushi restaurant offers sushi at very reasonable price. But Mori Mori Zushi is not such a cheap restaurant. I spent about 4,000 yen but it was worth spending. The fish was very fresh and very very wide selection. This restaurant is highly recommended if you are okay to wait for a long time.

The longest day in this trip came to the end. I visited Snow Monkey Park on next day.

Continue to the post, Trip to Tohoku, Chubu and Chugoku in 2016 winter – Part 9, Visit Snow Monkey Park in Nagano.

Comments

  1. Jini says:

    Hi, Takeshi-san.

    May I confirm please if the Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle’s autumn illumination will happen on November 18 to December 3, 2016 as transcribed here http://www.pref.ishikawa.jp/siro-niwa/event/.

    Appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

  2. Elaine says:

    Takeshi san,

    You didn’t take a photo of the magnificent gate entrance at Kanazawa Station? And the wonderful work of arts by the local artisans on display in the station?

    I was at Kenrokuen near sundown last Dec and totally understand why this is one of the top 3 gardens in Japan, even without the snow and flowers. You take excellent photos inspite of the rush. Sugoi!

    Elaine

    • Hi Elaine san,

      Of course I took some photos of the gate. I will put it on next post.
      Thanks for the wonderful comments on my photos. But I don’t think I’m good at taking photo. 🙂

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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