楊雅雯's Reviews Page 4/14

Maruoka Castle is one of Japan's 12 remaining original castle towers and the only surviving wooden castle tower in the Hokuriku region. It does take quite a while to get there, and there aren't many nearby attractions to visit along the way. The castle itself isn't very large either, so whether it's worth making a special trip depends on the person. For me, though, just being able to see this historic original castle tower in person made it worthwhile! There aren't many exhibits inside, and the historical information is fairly basic, which is a little disappointing for travelers who don't understand Japanese. Although the castle tower is small, the stairs are incredibly steep. You really need to hold on to the ropes and carefully use both your hands and feet to go up and down, so seniors and children should be especially careful. Once you reach the top floor, the view is wide open. This old and elegant castle is worth taking your time to appreciate for its historical charm.

The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History is housed in a historic red-brick building, and the building itself is quite distinctive. The exhibits showcase Ishikawa Prefecture's rich history and culture in an easy-to-understand way, so you can take your time exploring. It's well worth a visit if you're interested in Ishikawa's history. I also recommend buying the “Cultural Forest” pass, which lets you visit multiple attractions and museums with one ticket and is a pretty good deal. However, keep in mind that the pass is only valid for two days, so be sure to plan your schedule carefully to avoid wasting it!

I made a point of visiting the seafood market on this trip to Kanazawa, and it was really worth it! The market is incredibly lively, with a dazzling variety of fresh seafood, sushi, scallops, crab, sea urchin, and local snacks. Just walking around and looking at everything works up an appetite. Although there are quite a few tourists, the market is clean and easy to navigate. Many stalls prepare food to order, so you can enjoy seafood at its freshest and sweetest. The vendors are also very friendly and will enthusiastically explain things even if there's a language barrier. The prices are a little high, but the freshness and quality are both very good. It's a must on any trip to Kanazawa!

Kanazawa Oden Akadama Honten is a long-established oden restaurant that opened in 1927 and remains popular with locals today. The interior has the distinctive atmosphere of a Japanese izakaya. On my first visit, I wasn't quite sure how to order, but luckily, there was a Chinese-speaking staff member who explained everything in detail. If you have trouble deciding, you can order a set for one to three people and let the chef choose the items for you. It's convenient and a safe choice, though slightly more expensive. The overall atmosphere feels very local to Kanazawa. If you want to try oden in Kanazawa, I highly recommend coming here to experience it!

When visiting Kanazawa, a city of art, of course you have to experience this modern museum. There are quite a few art installations and interactive exhibits inside, but if you don't buy a ticket to enter the galleries, there really isn't that much to see. I was also looking forward to the famous “Swimming Pool,” but entry is only available until 4 p.m. After that, you can only view it from outside or walk around the perimeter. You can finish seeing everything in about half an hour. The architecture is very distinctive, so it's still worth stopping by if you're in Kanazawa!

Oyama Shrine is a very distinctive attraction in Kanazawa, dedicated to Maeda Toshiie, the first lord of the Kaga Domain, and his wife, Matsu. What drew me most was its unique Shinmon Gate, which blends Japanese, Chinese, and Western styles. The stained glass at the top is especially beautiful in the sunlight, and it looks different from every angle. The shrine grounds are also perfect for a leisurely walk while admiring the gardens and architectural details. Besides Kenrokuen Garden and the Higashi Chaya District, Oyama Shrine is also well worth adding to your Kanazawa itinerary. After it's illuminated at night, the atmosphere is completely different!

Myoryuji Temple is also known as the “Ninja Temple.” Although it has nothing to do with real ninjas, the ingenious features inside are really interesting! The temple appears to have only two floors, but it actually has seven levels, 23 rooms, and 29 staircases, along with defensive features like secret doors, hidden staircases, and hidden rooms. Walking through it feels like navigating a maze. It also houses many paintings, calligraphy works, and artifacts, giving it a strong sense of history. Reservations are required in advance, and the tour takes about 40–50 minutes. You must remove your shoes inside, and photography is prohibited. If you plan to visit, remember to arrive 10 minutes early.

The Starbucks in Toyama Kansui Park is really famous and is known as one of the “most beautiful Starbucks in the world.” It’s very relaxing during the day, while nighttime has a different feel, with the park lights reflected on the water. Sitting inside with a cup of coffee creates an especially nice atmosphere. The only downside is that there are so many visitors, so you may have to wait for a comfortable seat. But if you're already in Toyama, I still highly recommend stopping by, taking some photos, and experiencing this special Starbucks.

When visiting Takaoka, Toyama, don't miss the Takaoka Daibutsu, known as “Japan's most handsome man”! It is considered one of Japan's Three Great Buddha Statues, along with those in Nara and Kamakura, and you can admire the intricate craftsmanship of the bronze statue up close. Although it was raining during this visit, so there was no blue sky to enhance the view, the cool weather actually made the visit very comfortable and allowed me to quietly take my time appreciating every detail of the statue. The overall setting is solemn and peaceful. It doesn't take much time to visit, but it's well worth stopping by to experience Takaoka's history and culture.

There are two gassho-style villages in Gokayama, and this time I visited Ainokura Gassho-style Village on the east side. The houses here are clustered together and very close to one another, so it doesn't take long to walk around and is easy to explore. Compared with Suganuma Gassho-style Village on the west side, each has its own distinct character, and both are well worth visiting!

There's also a viewpoint on the hill next to the parking lot, where you can look down over the entire village and the mountains behind it. However, the walk up takes some effort, and the “Beware of Bears” signs along the way made me a little nervous.