2016.11.22 Sponsored

A Trip To The Past – The Golden Town Kanazawa – Day 2 –

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Do you still remember the ~Golden Town~ of Kanazawa, in Ishikawa Prefecture? Let us refresh your memory of the glittering city!

Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture

Kanazawa is located in the central part of Japan in Ishikawa Prefecture. There are many unique landscapes and sightseeing spots for you to visit, for example the traditional streets or the coffee shops there. Kanazawa is also selected by UNESCO as a City of Craft and Folk Art. Therefore, all kinds of traditional handcraft can be found here.

A Trip To The Past – The Golden Town Kanazawa – Day 1 –

Trip in the Golden Town, Kanazawa – Day 2
Myojo Temple – (妙成寺 Myojo-ji) – > Ohmicho Market – (近江町市場 Ohmi-cho shijou) -> Kanazawa Station （金沢駅) -> 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa (21世紀美術館 21Seiki Bijutsukan) -> Oden Akadama (赤玉本店） -> The End of Car Rental Trip in Kanazawa

This temple was built in 1294, and there are 10 important Japanese cultural assets can be found! It is also said that you can get good luck if you pay a visit there! It is called one of the greatest construction of the early Edo period because the structure is really strong and it can resist earthquakes.

Myojo Temple
Address: Takidani-machi, Hakui-shi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Tel.: 0767-27-1226
Map Code: 135423164*63

Opening Hours:

08:00 – 17:00 (April to October), 08:00 – 16:30 (November to March)
Admission:
500 yen for High school students and above
300 yen for Elementary students and above
Homepage: http://myojoji-noto.jp/english.html

From groceries to raw fish, fruits, meat etc can all be found here. There are even restaurants where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh ingredients!

3 reasons that you should go to visit Ohmicho Market
01. Experience the atmosphere of Japanese local market
Wanna know what a Japanese life is like? Visiting local market is a good way to experience that for sure!

02. Easy access even for visitors

From Ohmicho Market, just take a 15-minute walk, you can reach Kanazawa's famous sightseeing spots like Kenroku Garden (兼六園 ), Higashiyama (東山）, and 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa (21世紀美術館).

03. Delicious food made of fresh seasonal ingredients
There are many different kinds of restaurants in the market, from sushi to seafood bowl rice, or deep fried mashed potato (コロッケ, korokke), you must be able to find something that you like! A kind reminder for you, remember to check the opening hour of the shop that you will visit before you go.

Ohmicho Market – (近江町市場)

Address: 50 Kamiomicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Tel.: 076-231-1462

Map Code: 41559153*54

Homepage (Japanese): http://ohmicho-ichiba.com/

Gourmet Shops in Kanazawa – Sushi on Shinkansen!

Among the restaurants in Ohmicho Market, we suggest you to try this famous sushi restaurant because sushi is brought to you by the shinkansen trains just like in the picture! Both counter seats and table seats are available; however, shinkansen trains only provides their service to the table seats! Remember to press the red button at the bottom to send it back to the kitchen

All fish and seafood are caught in the Nanden Peninsula! Freshness is guaranteed! By the way, there is one fish we really want to share with you. It is "Blackthroat Seaperch" （のどぐろオ） which is also called the king of fish in Kanazawa. It is not easy to find in Kanto area, so please remember to try it in Kanazawa! Don't forget the crab and miso soup in winter too!

Morimori Sushi Ohmicho Shop (もりもり寿し近江町店)

Address: Ichiba-kan, Ohmicho, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture

Tel.: 076-262-7477
Map Code: 41559181*16

Opening Hours: 07:00-17:00

Homepage (Japanese): http://morimorisushi-ohmicho.amsstudio.jp/

One of the world’s most beautiful train stations – Kanazawa Station

Selected by America's famous travel magazine, Travel & Leisure, as one the world's most beautiful train stations, how can you not come here to take some pictures!

Kanazawa Station
Address: 1-1 Kinoshinbo-machi, Ishikawa Prefecture
Map Code: 41558876*44
Homepage (Japanese): http://kanazawa-eki.com/

01. Tsuzumimon – Drum Gate in front of Kanazawa station

Just at the east exit of the station, you can find this specially designed "Drum Gate"(鼓門, Tsuzumimon). The wooden gate is inspired by Japanese traditional drums.

02. Motenashi Dome – Umbrella look-alike glass dome
It is said that 3019 pieces of glass were used to build this glass dome which covers the entrance of the station. It is called "Motenashi" which has a meaning of "Kanazawa welcomes all visitors".

03. Traditional arts and crafts can be found everywhere
Traditional Ishikawa Prefecture's decorations and designed can be found through out the station and even on the platform!

04. Best shopping facilities in Kanazawa
Actually Kanazawa station is a famous place for shopping and restaurants in Kanazawa. How about getting some Japanese souvenirs for you family and friends?

Just 15-minute drive from the Kanazawa Station, you can reach this famous museum.

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
Address: 1-2-1 Hirosaka, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
Tel.: 076-220-2800
Map Code: 41499850*50

Opening Hours:

10:00 – 18:00 Exhibition Zone
09:00 – 22:00 (closes at 20:00 on Fri and Sat) Public Zone
Closed every Monday (If Monday is a holiday, it will be closed on the following weekday)
Admission: Free (except the special exhibitions)
Homepage: https://www.kanazawa21.jp/en/

It is very interesting that you can find oden in many izakaya in Kanazawa! Opened in 1927, Akadama Honten is one of the most famous oden restaurants in Kanazawa. Especially in winter, what can be better than having a bowl of hot dish and soup to warm up your body.

Oden Akadama
Address: 2-21-2 Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture
Tel.: 076-223-3330
Map Code: 41498706*30

Opening Hours:

1F: 12:00-24:00 (From 12:30, Sat, Sun, Holiday) (Close at 23:30 Sun and Holiday)
2F: 17:00-23:30 (Close at 22:30 Sun and Holiday)
Homepage (Japanese): http://www.oden-akadama.com/

Golden Town, Kanazawa

The second day of our car rental trip in Kanazawa comes to the end here. Hope that you are able to know more about this Golden Town and get some tips for travelling here!

More detailed:
# Travel ♪ Take a trip to the past of the Golden Town, Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture! ~ Day 2 ~

If you are interested in reading more about Kanazawa, you can also check out our other sharing:
# Travel ♪ Take a trip to the past of the Golden Town, Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture! ~ Day 1 ~
# Travel ♪ A Walk In The Golden Town – Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture! Presented to you by CANMAKE Cosmetics
# Beauty ♪ Transform into a Golden Beauty with CANMAKE Cosmetics! A golden makeup that may bring you fortunes!! ~Kanazawa Ishikawa Prefecture~

Wanna get more and share your Japanese stories with us? Please join us on Google+ too!!
See ya there!

Team JAPANKURU

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  Niigata is a prefecture on Japan's main island of Honshu, situated right on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and abundant with the gifts of nature. It's known for popular ski resorts such as Echigo-Yuzawa, Japanese national parks, and natural hot spring baths, plus local products like fresh seafood, rice, and sake. Visitors often spend time in the prefectural capital, Niigata City, or venture across the water to Sado Island.
- SHIZUOKA
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  Shizuoka Prefecture is sandwiched between eastern and western Japan, giving the prefecture easy access to both Tokyo and Osaka. Not only is it known for beautiful natural attractions, with everything from Mount Fuji to Suruga Bay, Lake Hamanako, and Sumata Pass―Shizuoka's Izu Peninsula is known as a go-to spot for hot springs lovers, with famous onsen like Atami, Ito, Shimoda, Shuzenji, and Dogashima. Shizuoka attracts all kinds of travelers thanks to historic connections with the Tokugawa clan, the Oigawa Railway, fresh eel cuisine, Hamamatsu gyoza, and famously high-quality green tea.
- KANSAI
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  Kansai (関西) is a region that includes Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Shiga Prefectures. Kansai contained Japan's ancient capital for hundreds of years, and it's making a comeback as one of the most popular parts of Japan. Kyoto's temples and shrines, Osaka Castle, and the deer of Nara are all considered must-sees. Plus, the people of Kansai are especially friendly, making it a fun place to hang out.
- KYOTO
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  Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan between the years 794 and 1100, becoming a center for poilitics and culture, and to this day it's a great place for close encounters with Japanese history. The cobbled streets of Gion, the atmospheric road to Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji's golden walls and countless historic attractions, even Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge―Kyoto is a place of many attractions. With new charms to experience throughout the seasons, travelers can't stop themselves from returning again and again.
- NARA
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  Nara Prefecture's important history reaches back to 710, a time now called the Nara era, when it was once capital of Japan. Called "Heijo-kyo" during its time as a capital, it's said that nara was once the end of the silk road, leading it to flourish as a uniquely international region and produce important cultural properties of all kinds. To make the most of each season, travelers head to Nara Park, where the Nara deer who wander freely, or climb Mount Yoshino, a famous cherry blossom spot.
- OSAKA
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  Osaka is known for friendly (and funny) people, but its history is nothing to laugh at, playing a major part in Toyotomi Hideyoshi's 16th century unification of Japan. Thanks to long years of economic activity, it's one of Japan's biggest cities, and Osaka's popular food culture earned it the nickname "The Kitchen of the Nation." To this day Osaka is the model of western Japan, and alongside historic structures like Osaka Castle, it also has major shopping malls like Umeda's Grand Front Osaka and Tennoji's Abeno Harukas. Osaka is a place to eat, eat, eat, with local specialties like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushi-katsu, and for extra fun, it's home to Universal Studios Japan.
- CHUGOKU
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  The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
- HIROSHIMA
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  Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
- SHIKOKU
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  On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
- KAGAWA
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  Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
- KYUSHU
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  Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
- FUKUOKA
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  Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
- KAGOSHIMA
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  Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
- OKINAWA
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  The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.