Kanazawa

7 days in Japan- 10/20/2023-10/26/2023

Day 3- Kanazawa at night-10/22/2023

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, on Japan’s central Honshu Island. It's known for well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums and regional handicrafts.

Tonight we are just walking around town and get familiarize with the town.

Our hotel is located in the city center and it was really convenient to walk aorund.

Oyama Shrine is dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the 1st floors of the powerful local clan Maedan Clan. The shrine was constructed in 1599 by Toshiie's successor.

We will come in the day time for a visit since the shrine is close now.

Oyama Shrine is known for its unusual gate, which was designed by a Dutch architect, using elements of European and Asian religious themes. While the first story displays a mixture of Japanese and Chinese influence, the upper stories once served as a lighthouse and feature a Dutch style, stained glass window.

Omicho Market at night was pretty much empty.

Most of the restaurants are closed at night.

Omicho Market has been Kanazawa's largest fresh food market since the Edo Period (1603-1868). It is very crowded during the day so we will be back tomorrow morning.

To get to downtown Kanazawa we had to cross the Asano River

Bridge over the Asano River.

IT is really beautiful and peaceful at night. We are on the Asanogawa Bridge.

We are now at the Higashi Chaya District which is the largest among three well-preserved historical geisha districts in Kanazawa.

We wander through the narrow streets of Higashi Chaya district

At night the area is magical and beautiful.

Kanazawa survived the Second World War without a scratch. This means the city has retained the layout of the roads and the Edo period architecture that defined the look of feudal Japan.

Narrow alleys in the Higashi Chaya district.

Along these streets are many still-active tea houses open only in the evening and only to select clientele. It is very difficult for a non Japanese to get in.