The Hokuriku region is relatively new to foreign tourists. With a direct connection to Tokyo, you can get here by shinkansen. We suggest you take a two-day trip to Kanazawa and Shirakawago to see a different Japan!
The name "Kanazawa" (golden swamp) is associated with the legend of Imohori Togoro, a peasant. He earned his living by digging potatoes, and one day when he washed his hands in a spring, he found gold dust on his hands. This is how gold was first discovered in the Kanazawa area. The city is still widely known for the production of the finest gold plates, which are used not only to cover various surfaces, but also in cosmetics and even in the manufacture of "golden" ice cream.
Day 1. Kanazawa
Tour time: 11:00-17:00
Relocation required to Kanazawa from Tokyo (450 kilometers, 3 hours).
- A walk through the territory of the building erected in the middle of the XVI century. Kanazawa Castle. This powerful structure, which attracts visitors with its rugged beauty, was the stronghold of the Maeda clan's military power. In 1583, the castle became the residence of Maeda Toshiye. Since then, it has been home to 14 generations of the Maeda family. Subsequent owners built and expanded the structure, adding new tiers and towers. The roofs of the buildings were covered with namari gawara (wooden planks covered with protective lead sheeting) so that they could withstand the weight of the snow that fell heavily here. In 1759, a huge fire destroyed most of the castle. Fires and natural disasters repeatedly destroyed these buildings centuries later, but they were rebuilt each time. The last major destruction was in 1881, when all the main buildings burned down. The castle was rebuilt in 2001 using traditional late 18th century construction methods.
- Attendance Kenroquan GardensIt is the favorite garden of many generations of the Maeda Princes, the rulers of Kanazawa. Each ruler has contributed to the splendor of this garden, which has all six qualities of landscape gardens: spaciousness, seclusion, refinement, old-world spirit, ponds and waterfalls, and a magnificent panorama of the city and surrounding hills. In the springtime, cherry trees are decorated with white and pink flowers and plum trees, and in the fall the scarlet leaves of maples blaze. Therefore, Kanazawa is one of the most visited cities in Japan during these seasons.
- Walking deep into Kenrokuen Gardens, you will visit the luxurious villa Seison-kakuThe Maeda House was lovingly built in the mid-19th century by a Maeda prince for his elderly mother, who had become a monk. You will see the household items of a member of the princely family not in a museum, but in a building of the time - a rare opportunity in Japan, where many wooden buildings have simply not survived to this day.
- Vintage Nagamachi districtIt is also a place where the "samurai houses" of the Bukeyashiki have been preserved. Among the famous samurai families living in Kanazawa are the Nomura, Maeda, Takada, Okumura, Murai, Honda, and other clans. Many of the residences are private estates closed to internal viewing. The most popular and open to inspection is the house belonging to the Nomura family, called Nomura-ke. The feudal era, and with it the prosperous life of the samurai class, ended with the onset of the Meiji Restoration. Many samurai families, including the Nomura, went bankrupt.
- Attendance of the Kaikaro Tea House in the Nagamachi neighborhood, where you can enjoy fragrant green tea and traditional Japanese dessert. The owner of the tea house will introduce you to its history, the details of geisha life, the peculiarities of their communication with samurai and other representatives of the wealthy strata of the population of historical Kanazawa. Attendance is by reservation only.
- Galleries-shops of porcelain Kutani.
Important! We recommend an overnight stay in the Kaga area with natural hot springs and dinner in the style of "kaiseki". We will be happy to customize your accommodation according to your wishes.
Day 2. Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
Tour time: 11:00-16:00
Breakfast at the ryokan and check out. Transfer with a guide by car to Shirakawa-go village (120 km, 1.5-2 h).
- Shirakawa-go and Gokayama - are areas in Toyama and Gifu prefectures located in the Sogawa River valley. These areas were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. They are known for their traditional village houses built in the "gassho-zukuri" style. Some of them are more than 250 years old. "Gassho" means "hands folded in prayer." The steep thatched roofs of the village houses really resemble the hands of Buddhist monks folded in prayer. The design of the roofs, preserved for generations, helps to withstand the large amounts of snow that fall in the region in winter. The roofs, made without nails, form a large attic room used for growing mulberry silkworms.
- Murakami-ke Museum in the village of Kaminasi, in which folk songs are sung after a story about local traditions.
- Simonasi neighborhood и Ainokura (another 10 km), also on the UNESCO list. The center of production of washi, Japanese handmade rice paper, where you can try your hand at this craft. The main occupation of the locals was silkworm breeding, so the upper floors of the dwellings are skillfully adapted for silk spinning.
Important! At the end of the tour by shinkansen you can get to Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto. The route is discussed individually with tourists when booking an excursion or tour.
