This spring, I finally checked off a long-standing item on my travel bucket list: heading to the historic city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much going into the trip. I figured it would be a chill, maybe slightly sleepy town. But little did I know, Kanazawa would win me over bit by bit with its calming rhythm, gentle scenery, and outrageously delicious food. By the end of the trip, I was absolutely smitten.
First impressions: Kanazawa Station and the mighty Tsuzumimon Gate
It takes about 2.5 hours by shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa, and when I stepped out of the station’s east exit, bam! I froze in my tracks. In front of me stood the Tsuzumimon Gate, an enormous wooden structure shaped like two towering Japanese drums. Majestic, imposing, yet oddly elegant. Later, I found out it was inspired by traditional Noh theater drums—a symbolic welcome for all visitors to the city.
It’s not just a photo spot; it felt like Kanazawa’s gentle way of saying, “Hey there, traveler. Slow down. Your journey starts here.”
Omicho Market: Kanazawa’s culinary soul
Right after arriving, my stomach promptly reminded me it was time for lunch (rude, but fair). Following the locals’ advice, I headed to Omicho Market, just a 15-minute walk from the station. And let me tell you, this place was straight-up seafood heaven. Tuna, crab, sea urchin, salmon roe…every single stall was an edible temptation.
I ducked into a random shop and ordered a seafood bowl. One bite in, and I was sparkling. The sea urchin melted in my mouth, the scallops were plump and juicy, and the fresh crab—oh, the fresh crab—was basically a love letter from the sea.
And if that wasn’t enough, the market also had grilled scallops, freshly shucked oysters, and even desserts. It was impossible to stop eating. Turns out this market dates back to the Edo Period (1603 – 1868), when it supplied food to the feudal lords of Kaga (a former historic domain in Japan, centered on present-day Kanazawa). No wonder everything tasted so legit.
Kanazawa Castle Park: Cherry blossoms like a fever dream
If I had to pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with Kanazawa, it would be at Kanazawa Castle Park, beneath a canopy of glistening cherry blossoms.
I was lucky—when I visited in early April, the cherry blossoms were at their peak. The sun was warm and gentle, the breeze a little cool, and I strolled along the moat path outside the castle, sipping a Starbucks coffee. There weren’t too many people. Just me, a row of cherry trees in full bloom, and the sound of my own footsteps. It was perfect.
Once I entered the castle grounds, I was suddenly surrounded by a sea of pink. The mix of traditional Japanese castle architecture and cherry blossoms was surreal—like stepping into a classic Japanese historical drama. Locals were lounging under the trees, chatting and soaking it all in. So I joined them, plopped myself on the grass, and just…existed. Pink petals above, grass below, nothing but peace.
Someone later told me that the best photo spot was Ishikawa Gate, where you can look out and see the entire entrance beautifully framed by cherry blossoms. It was breathtaking, but to be honest, a bit too crowded for my taste. I much preferred the quiet little cherry blossom bubble I found inside the park.
Kenrokuen Garden: Where stillness becomes art
Right next to the castle through the Ishikawa Gate is Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens—and wow, this place truly lives up to the hype.
Unlike the explosive cherry blossoms of the castle park, Kenrokuen Garden’s beauty lies in its quiet elegance. As a traditional strolling-style Japanese garden, it’s designed so that each turn of the path reveals something new—ponds, miniature mountains, ancient trees, tea houses, and artful landscaping.
Wandering through it felt like walking through a living poem. The water rippling here, a reflection of blue sky there…that peaceful attention to detail hit me in a way my metropolitan life in Tokyo rarely does. Of course, I had to stop by the famous Shiguretei tea house. Sipping Japanese tea and enjoying delicate wagashi in such a traditional setting? Pure bliss.
Oh, and here’s a little Kanazawa-style surprise: admission to Kenrokuen Garden is usually 320 yen per adult, but for some mysterious reason, it was free the day I went. Almost as if the city were gently whispering, “Fall for me just a little more, won’t you?”
Gold leaf ice cream: Absurdly extra, but worth it
After soaking in the breathtaking views and tranquil atmosphere of Kenrokuen Garden, I was still on a high when I made a beeline for Hakuichi—home to the most over-the-top dessert in town: gold leaf ice cream.
Imagine this: creamy Hokkaido milk soft serve, already a winner, and then BAM! An entire sheet of shiny gold leaf draped over it like a luxury cape. It looked like I was about to bite into a gold bar.
Sure, gold leaf doesn’t taste like much. And yes, it cost 891 yen (almost 900 yen!?). But was it totally over-the-top and Instagram gold (pun intended)? Absolutely. No regrets.
Final thoughts: Kanazawa, the little city that stole my heart
I didn’t follow a packed itinerary. I didn’t try to “do it all.”
Instead, I let my feet lead the way—walk, eat, pause, repeat.
Kanazawa in spring is calm but colorful, storied but modern, and warm in all the best ways.
If you’re like me—tired of crowds, schedules, and FOMO-driven sightseeing—this is the place for you.
Come to Kanazawa.
Let its cherry blossoms, gardens, and flavors quietly speak to your soul.
And maybe, just maybe—you’ll fall in love before you even realize it, just like I did.
