Don’t miss your visit to Toyotsune Beppu for their popular tempura rice bowl. One of the best food when looking for what to eat in Beppu.
Toyotsune (とよ常) is one of the best restaurants if you are looking for what to eat in Beppu. This little gem restaurant is always at the top-rated and must eat food in Beppu food guide. We visited Toyotsune Beppu for their popular tendon and wouldn’t disappoint. The big bowl of tempura shrimp topped on rice with special sweet sauce. Generous portion and extremely delicious.
Toyotsune Beppu
Toyotsune Beppu Ekimae-ten
There are two branches of Toyotsune in Beppu which located nearby Beppu Station and Beppu Tower (Kitahana). Both branch serving their best tempura in Beppu.
Operating Hours: 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 22:00 (Closed on Thursday)
Our Visit To Toyotsune Beppu Station
After finish our visit in Beppu, we were heading for dinner. We choose to dine in Toyotsune Beppu station for their famous tempura meal. The restaurant located with less than 3 minutes walk from Beppu Station and not far from our hotel.
Followed the coordinate, we walked to Toyotsune newly relocated branch in the street. Toyotsune just move this new location at the end of 2018. So the premise was brand new, clean and modern.
Counter Bar Seating
The dining hall was very huge and full of traditional Japanese atmosphere. You can choose to dine in counter bar, tatami flooring seating and private corner with chair and table available.
Tatami Seating
Toyotsune is extremely popular among both locals and visitors. So do expect to wait in line to taste on this must eat food in Beppu. It was dinner time so the place was almost full. Luckily we did not need to wait long in line to get seated in tatami flooring. But the family in front of us need to wait longer as they request for table seating.
Variety of Food
We have our seat in tatami flooring. The staff does not speak English but very friendly with a smile always. Next, we got our food menu which come with proper picture and price listed. Each set menu comes with vary kind of small dishes so you can taste lots of Japanese flavors. Most importantly, the price is very reasonable.
There are also ala carte menu where you can order the rice bowl set only. Side note, Toyotsune Beppu served lunch menu in incredible value. The tokujo tendon set comes with two jumbo shrimp and four types of vegetables at only 880 yen. What a bargain!
We originally want to order the toriten chicken (fried chicken tempura) and tendon (prawn tempura over rice) and share among us. But decided to stick with the original plan for tendon for two after shocked by the big shrimp serving beside us.
Delicious Food in Reasonable Price
Without a long wait, our tendon served soon. It was surprisingly good and well presented. The portion was very generous and good enough for a filling meal.
Taste on tendon in Toyotsune Beppu
While the fried shrimp tempura was light and, fluffy and crispy. But it was not greasy at all. The prawn is big and fresh. Can’t imaging it only cost about 1240 yen for 3 shrimp on it. Love it. The Japanese rice was taste good and perfectly match with the dark sweet sauce. Overall, the quality and taste of the food were very good.
All in all, we were very satisfied with the best tendon meal in Toyotsune. One of the best food in Beppu and highly recommended. Most importantly, food comes with a reasonable price tag for this type of quality food which might explain its popularity. We would come back for this must eat food in Beppu.
Lastly, this Beppu food blog is part of our travel post when visiting Beppu. Please read on our Beppu travel post if you are looking for what to do and food to eat in Beppu.
Enjoy the lovely walk through the Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi, Japan’s highest pedestrian suspension bridge span through the valley with an excellent view.
Opened in 2006, Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge or Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi (九重”夢”大吊橋) is the highest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in Japan. It has 390 meters long and 173 meters high. The construction of the bridge cost about 2 billion yen and purely comes from public fundraising without any government subsidy. So the completion of the bridge can be said to the realization of the dream of the residents. And that’s the name of “Dream of Kokonoe” came from.
The scenery of Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge is very breathtaking, especially during Autumn foliage. If you are visiting Oita prefecture, consider making a day trip to Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge. It presents panoramic scenes of Oita’s verdant countryside and magnificent valley view.
We visited this incredible Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi during my trip to Yufuin and highly recommended it. Walking across the Suspension Bridge was truly one of the memorable experience for us. In this travel blog, we will share on the useful information to help you to plan for your visit to Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge.
Quick Tips For Visit Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi
Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi
The Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge is open all year long with the best of seasonal scenery. The best time to visit is during November for the fantastic Autumn foliage. Added, the winter scenery also very beautiful when surrounded are in snowy white.
However, please take note that the bridge will be close in windy conditions. Added, no umbrella is allowed when crossing the bridge. So remember to bring a raincoat in raining day.
Free parking for self-driving visitors. Travelers only need to pay for the entrance at 500 yen per person. Both end of the bridge has restaurants, stalls which offering local dishes and snack. The Kokonoe Hamburger is one of the popular local food in fairy cheap price.
How To Get To Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi
Bungo-Nakamura Station (豊后中村駅)
Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi is located in the Kuju mountain range in Oita Prefecture. The best way to get to Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi is by self-driving. Kyushu is very convenient and suitable to plan for self-driving itinerary. From Yufuin, it is about 30 minutes of scenic route by car. Many people are coupled with their trip from Kumamoto, Mount Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, and Yufuin together. It is much cheaper and convenient especially for a group of families. You can check on a rental car from RentalCars.com for pick up location, price and other information.
Alternative, Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi can be easily reached by public transportation. You can take the JR train to Bungo-Nakamura Station (豊后中村駅). Next, change to a local bus to the bridge. The bus service costs 500 yen and takes about 30 minutes. However, make sure to give plenty of time because trains/buses do not overlap nicely. So you might take some time to wait for the transport arrangement. But, for sure your wait is well worth the amazing view.
From Beppu To Kokonoe Yume Otsuriash
There are a few popular routes with trains depart to BungoNakamura Station. But the most convenient is getting to Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi from Yufuin. The one-way train journey takes about 18 minutes at 380 yen. The Kyushu JR Pass and Whole Japan Rail Pass are included for this route.
Depart from Yufuin: 6:45, 7:31, 9:20, 14:04, 16:19, 17:45
Return to Yufuin: 8:11, 13:22, 15:04, 17:50, 19:03
Bus Schedule running between Bungo-Nakamura Station to Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi Entrance
There are a few popular routes with trains depart to BungoNakamura Station. But the most convenient is getting toThere are four to five bus running per day between Bungo-Nakamura Station to Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi Entrance. Please refer to the bus schedule as different for weekday, Saturday, Sunday and Public holiday. It cost 500 yen per ride per person. Please pay in cash when get off from the bus.
Friendly reminder, please get ready on the bus fare as there is no money changing available onsite and on the bus.
Bus Schedule Return To Train Station From Kokonoe Bridge
If you are planning to take the train to Yufuin/Oita/Beppu from Bungo-Nakamura Station, please take note of the different wait times by boarding on the local bus from Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi Entrance. Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi from Yufuin. The one-way train journey takes about 18 minutes at 380 yen.
The Journey to Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi
Scenic View From Yufuin To Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi
From Yufuin, we took the 9:20 morning train to Bungo-Nakamura Station. The train was a normal commuter train and plenty of seats available. Most of the passengers were also heading to Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi.
Along the railway journey, the mountain scenery was particularly beautiful.
Arrangement Ticket To Board The Bus To Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi
Once we get off from the train, there were friendly staff from the Tourist Information Center to help distribute the arranging ticket to board the local bus. We got the arrangement ticket to board the coming bus follow the sequence. They also provide some useful information on transport arrangements between Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi and Bungo-Nakamura Station. Take this opportunity if you need help with transport arrangement.
Local Bus running in Kononoe Machi
The transport arrangement from Yufuin to Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi was very straightforward. But it took a long time to wait for the local bus to the bridge. There was about 20 minutes of wait time at the station. Feel free to take some rest at the station. There is also luggage storage available inside the station.
Inside Bus To Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi
On-time, the local bus arrived. It was a normal community bus running in Kokonoe Machi to ease on transport for local residences. There were about 30 seats available to board the bus. Depend on how many passengers on the bus, you might not able to board the bus if there was full. Taxi service is available but it cost about 2000 yen to get you to the bridge.
We boarded the bus to follow the sequence. During our visit on a weekday, there were still plenty of seats available.
Visit To Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi
It was about 30 minutes bus ride to the entrance of Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi. There are a row of souvenir shops and restaurants beside the ticket counter. You can get the Kokonoe Burger if you are hungry. We bought one to try on after return from the bridge.
After buying the ticket and took a short walk passing through the entrance, Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi will be right before your eyes. It looks amazing! For those who are scared of heights, now might be a good time to turn back.
Please keep the ticket as you will need this when re-entering from the other end of the bridge.
Don’t forget to take the free photography at the entrance. This is taken before entering the bridge. The small one is free but you can opt to buy the large photo. The income will be used to subsidize the use of children’s medical care or education.
Enjoy the Magnificent View
Strolling to the other side of Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi
We can’t wait to cross the bridge and took our time strolling to the other side of the bridge. This bridge is very impressive and picture opportunities are endless. The temperature was quite cold with strong wind, please remember to wear more clothes.
View on Waterfall in the middle of Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi
The view was so breathtaking and we can even hear the gushing of the waterfall in the middle of the suspension bridge.
From a distance, we can see the flow of the stream. There are three waterfalls: The Male waterfall (O-daki), The Female waterfall (Me-daki) and the Child waterfall (Ko-daki) offer excellent views along with the landscape. The male falls is the most dramatic falling over 88 m and renowned as one of Japan’s top 100 falls.
Long And Stable Suspension Bridge
The suspension bridge is long, but it is quite stable even in strong winds. The walk across the Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge took us about 20 minutes.
You can have the perfect suspension bridge span through the valley at both ends of the entrance.
Observatory Deck
After exiting, there were a few shops at the other end of the bridge where you can enjoy a meal and relax. If you would like to walk further, consider going to the Shiratori Shrine Observation Deck with 5 minutes walk. It is the best place with a panoramic viewpoint on the Kokonoe Yume Otsuriashi.
Follow the well-marked sight and then take the short walk to your right. You will soon to the viewing platform. It was an uphill path but not too difficult to get there.
Shiratori Shrine Observation Deck
Shiratori Shrine is a very small rural shrine. There was an observatory deck where you can the full view on the Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge. But you need to pay for 100 yen to get in for the closer view on the bridge.
Free Grand Viewing Point on Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge
But we did not take this option and continue walked further to the shop beside. There was another Grand Viewing Point at front of the shop with a similar panoramic view on the Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge. Although not in the center, you still can see the bridge in the distance span through both end of the valley. Most importantly, no additional charges required.
Take some time and enjoyed the view. You may also get some snacks or ice cream at the shop.
Taste The Popular Local Dishes: Kokone Burger
After the walk, we had Kokonoe Burger at the restaurants nearby the parking lot. The Kokonoe Burger is one of the signature food in Kokonoe. The 650 yen Kokone burger is relatively cheap. But it was so big and juicy.
Kokonoe Burger: Recommended Food To Eat When Visiting Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge
Although the Kokonoe burger looks inconspicuous, but the burger is super satisfying as the serving was quite huge. One of the recommended food to eat when visiting Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge.
Kokonoe Travel Vlog
At the end of the Kokonoe travel guide, feel free to take a 10-minutes video tour of how we spend 3-days in Oita prefecture to Oita, Beppu, Kokonoe and Yufuin. Hope this is helpful on how to plan your itinerary to Kokonoe.
If you like our video, don’t forget to give us a like and subscribe to us on youtube. Thanks!
Overview: Half Day Trip To Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi
All in all, we enjoyed our half-day trip to Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge. Although the transport arrangement is not well connected, it still worth to detour and spend some time to visit this highest pedestrian bridge in Japan.
Opening Hours: 8:30 to 17:00 (November to June) and 8:30 to 18:00 (July to October).
Last enter to bridge, 30 minutes before closing.
Entrance Fee: ¥500 for adult and ¥200 for Children
Lastly, hopefully, our visit to Kokonoe Yume Grand Suspension Bridge is helpful and gives you some idea on planning on your itinerary. The spectacular view on Kokonoe Bridge was truly stunning. Highly recommended to plan for a half-day trip when you are visiting Oita Prefecture.
If you are interesting, continue to read on our Kyushu itinerary and travel guide below. Enjoy your trip to Kokonoe Yume Otsurihasi.
Need help on how to plan your day trip to Kanazawa? Read on below the Kanazawa travel guide blog on what to do and eat in Kanazawa for your complete 1-day Kanazawa itinerary.
Located in Ishikawa prefecture, Kanazawa (金沢/金澤) is known as little Kyoto in Northern Japan. It is a well-preserved historical city since the Edo period. Being one of the popular sightseeing attractions in Japan, Kanazawa attracts many visitors every year. Unlike the bustling larger cities of Tokyo or Osaka, Kanazawa is full of traditional houses and historic structures. Many travelers flock to Kanazawa to experience its Japanese culture, history, and architecture.
When planning on the Kanazawa itinerary, for sure, Kenrokuen Garden is the most popular spot that you can’t miss in Kanazawa. But did you know, there are many more things to do in Kanazawa? From ancient samurai houses, beautifully preserved Higashi Chaya District, 21st Century Art Museum, or local vibe traditional Omicho Ichiba Market. All can easily be filled up for one day or two days Kanazawa itinerary. But no worry.
Here is the ultimate Kanazawa travel guide blog to the best use of your travel time to the must-visit attraction in Kanazawa. So, let’s get ready for planning your Kanazawa itinerary in this full of historical and modern art city.
Thanks to the new Hokuriku shinkansen line and well-connected rail system, make the trip to Kanazawa so easy.
From Tokyo To Kanazawa: There are two trains running from Tokyo Station to Kanazawa. The fastest Kagayaki train takes about 2.5 hours to get to Kanazawa with a seat reservation required. While Hakutaka has more stops and takes almost 3 or 3.5 hours. However, the Shinkansen ride is very expensive and costs about ¥14,000. For foreign visitors, it is best to get the Japan Rail Pass to save on money.
From Kyoto or Osaka to Kanazawa: JR Thunderbird limited express line runs from Osaka and Kyoto to Kanazawa once or twice an hour. The 2 hours train ride cost about ¥6,400 for one way. Again, Japan Rail Pass is covered for this ride. The earliest train departs at 7:30 morning from Kyoto Station.
From Toyama to Kanazawa: Shinkansen is the fastest route which takes only 23 minutes at about ¥3,200. This bullet train ride is covered by JR Pass. Alternatively, a local train (operated by a third-party company) for a 1-hour ride at ¥1,240 is another budget option.
From Takayama to Kanazawa: The Nohi highway bus from Takayama to Kanazawa runs every few hours. Some travelers even coupled up their visit with a trip to Shirakawa-go before getting to Kanazawa. A seat reservation is required for the Nohi Bus ride. Alternatively, you can also take the JR Hida limited express line to Toyama Station. From there, change for the Hokuriku shinkansen or local train to Kanazawa.
From Nagoya to Kanazawa: The JR Limited Express Shirasagi directly connects to Kanazawa in about three hours train ride from Nagoya Station.
Kanazawa Travel Tips: When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Kanazawa check prices for Kanazawa Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.
Getting Around in Kanazawa
Getting Around Kanazawa by Bus
There is no subway service in Kanazawa. However, Kanazawa has excellent bus transportation services that make it very convenient to get around in the city. Most of the attractions are located in the central town and can be easily reached by public bus. Once you are in the central town, everything can be accessed on foot.
Besides the regular city bus, there are special bus services which greatly help visitors for getting around. The Kanazawa Loop Bus that follows circular routes will take you from Kanazawa Station to Higashi Chaya District, Kenrokuen Garden, museum district at Hirosaka, Kohrinbo shopping districts, and Omicho Market before return to Kanazawa station. It is very convenient as the bus departs quite frequently every 15 minutes from 8:30 to 18:00. Flat rate fee at ¥200 per ride for adults. Just choose to board the left loop or right loop bus to your destination.
While the Kenrokuen Shuttle Bus is the faster bus that will get to Kenrokuen Garden in 16 minutes with a lesser stops on the way.
Please take note that buses in Kanazawa only accept cash and pay upon exiting. Suica, Pasmo, and other Electronic IC cards are not accepted. Get the Hokutetsu One Day Pass at Kanazawa Station that covers the Kanazawa Loop and Kenrokuen Shuttle at ¥500. This money-saving pass covers all the major sights and can easily hop on and off for your Kanazawa day trip.
Where To Stay
There is a large selection of the best hotels are available if you are looking for where to stay in Kanazawa. We recommended staying nearby the Kanazawa Station to ease the transportation arrangement. Take a look at our recommendation for the best hotel in Kanazawa below:
Dormy Inn Kanazawa Natural Hot Spring is conveniently located within a 2-minute walk from Kanazawa station. Spacious room and comfy bed make your stay in Dormy Inn.
Hotel MyStays Kanazawa Castle is located about 5 minutes walk from Kanazawa Station. Great size room and come with plenty of amenities.
APA Hotel Kanazawa Ekimae is strategically located just beside the JR Kanazawa station. Within 1 minute walk, you can rest your head in the comfortable bed in the hotel.
Kanazawa Itinerary
Depending on your Kanazawa itinerary, you could take the Right Loop or Left Loop Bus to visit this amazing city. There are so many things to do and see in Kanazawa to keep you busy for an entire day. You will find traditional and modern art that perfects the unique culture in Kanazawa.
One Day Kanazawa itinerary:
Start your day from Kanazawa Station
Try Local Cuisine at Omicho Ichiba Market (1-2 hours)
View on Unusual Gate at Oyama Shrine (1 hour)
Explore Samurai Residences (1 hour)
Kanazawa 21st Century Museum (1 hour)
Leisure Stroll in Kenrokuen Garden (1-2 hours)
Historical Kanazawa Castle (1 hour)
Wandering in Higashi Chaya District (1-2 hours)
Taste The Gold Leaf Ice Cream (30 minutes)
Dinner with Kanazawa Best Miso Ramen, Menya Taiga (1 hour)
Can’t wait to know more detail on how to plan your Kanazawa itinerary? Here is a detailed list of what to do and eat in Kanazawa in one day.
Start Your Day From Kanazawa Station
Kanazawa Station
Start your day in Kanazawa Station, one of Japan’s most aesthetically pleasing station buildings. The Kanazawa Station not only served as an important transportation hub for trains and buses. The whole building of Kanazawa Station was very well and an impressive dome was designed. The glass roof was designed to collect rainfall and used for recycling in gardening and fountain area.
Massive Wooden Gate in Kanazawa Station
Additionally, its massive wooden gate welcomes visitors once exit from the Kanazawa Station. It is awarded as one of the “world’s most beautiful train stations” by travel magazines.
We all were impressed by this symbol of Kanazawa and took a few memorial pictures in front of the wooden gate. But the most important thing to do in Kanazawa station is to get the Hokutetsu One Day Pass at Tourist Information Center. This value bus pass will cover our bus ride when getting around Kanazawa.
Try Local Cuisine at Omicho Ichiba Market
Wandering Around in Kanazawa Omicho Market
Next, we boarded the Kanazawa Loop and started our Kanazawa itinerary to Omicho Ichiba Market. It is the best place to start our day with some local dishes in the traditional market. The Omicho Market (近江町市場, Ōmichō Ichiba) has been around since the Edo period and remains a very local traditional market in Japan. Locals come here for local produce such as seafood, vegetables, fruits, and more. But for visitors like us, we visit Omicho Ichiba Market for various local foods and other delicious Japanese dishes.
We had a Japanese street food tour in Omicho Market. We tasted the croquette, super fresh sea urchin, and also the beautiful assortment of fruits. Besides, we also visit one of the conveyor belt sushi restaurants and managed to get the limited edition of the sushi platter at ¥500. What a deal!
If you are visiting Kanazawa, don’t forget to come here to fill your stomach. Omicho Ichiba Market is also very famous for the kaisendon seafood rice bowl. Come early to avoid the crowd.
Getting there: 15 minutes walk from the east exit of Kanazawa station. Alternatively, take a short bus ride and get off at Musashigatsuji bus stop.
View on Unusual Gate at Oyama Shrine
Next, we get to Oyama Shrine (尾山神社, Oyama Jinja). Oyama Shrine is not part of our Kanazawa itinerary. But it is conveniently located nearby Korinbo Bus Stop when we get off the bus. So, we decided to have a quick visit to Oyama Shrine before getting to Nagamachi Samurai District.
One of the highlights of the Oyama Shrine is its unusual gate which is designed with European, Japanese, and Chinese religious themes element.
Oyama Shrine
Oyama Shrine was founded in 1873 in Utatsu-Yama and is dedicated to the Maeda Tori family. It was then moved to the current location in Kanazawa City. Inside, there is a beautiful, idyllic, serene ground. Worth to stop by and making a good pit stop before to the next attraction.
Getting There: Take the Kanazawa Loop Bus and get off at Korinbo/Minamicho bus stop. Alternative, 10 minutes walk from Omicho Ichiba Market.
Explore Samurai Residences
Nagamachi Samurai District
Next, we headed to the Nagamachi Samurai District to get a glimpse of samurai life. From the shrine, we walked a few blocks west to the historical areas of the city. This neighborhood with old samurai residences is called Buke Yashiki. It was once a site where samurai used to live. The whole area is full of the Edo period atmosphere with Samurai houses, cobbled streets, short walls, and sloped roofing.
Explore Samurai Residences
Few historical buildings are open to the public to immerse yourself into samurai home life. Among them, Nomura Clan Samurai Home is the most popular and tends to get the most foot traffic. Insides, there are beautiful Samurai armor suits, wooden crafts, painted screen doors, and traditional furniture. You can also enjoy your time with Japanese green tea while viewing the beautiful inner Japanese garden with stone lanterns.
Walking down an alley that is lined with houses will make you feel like returning to the Edo period.
Getting There: Board the Kanazawa Loop Bus and get off at Korinbo (香林坊) bus stop. Next, walk for 5 minutes to Nagamachi Samurai District.
Kanazawa 21st Century Museum
Kanazawa 21st Century Museum
Next, we boarded the Kanazawa Loop bus to Kanazawa 21st Century Museum (金沢21世紀美術館, Kanazawa Nijūichiseiki Bijutsukan). For an art lover, don’t miss the chance to visit the 21st Century Museum. There are several museums in Kanazawa but the 21st Century Museum draws most of the attraction among the visitors. It is known for its contemporary design and showcases the best contemporary pieces from all over the world.
Leandro Erlich’s Swimming Pool in Kanazawa 21st Century Museum
Exhibitions are open to the public with both entrance fees and free admission areas. Visitors can explore the permanent collections for free and unique artwork in the public zone. The most popular is Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool” where people appear to be standing underwater when viewed from above. Truly a unique artwork. Viewing from above is free, but you need to pay for the ticket to get to the bottom of the swimming pool. We enjoyed our time and spend about 30 minutes seeing the artwork.
Operating Hours: Public Zone 9:00-22:00, Exhibition Area 10:00-18:00 (open until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). Close on Monday.
Getting there: From the Samurai Residences neighborhood, Kanazawa 21st Century Museum takes about 15 minutes walk. Alternatively, just take a bus ride from Kanazawa Station and get off at the Hirosaka bus stop.
Leisure Stroll in Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen
From the North exit and walk across the road will get you to another must-see attraction in Kanazawa. The Kenrokuen (兼六園), is one of Japan’s Three Most Beautiful Gardens. Kenrokuen was once a private garden belonging to the Maeda family and opened to the public in the late 1800s.
The whole area of Kenrokuen Garden is very huge and features a variety of flowering trees. Many locals are coming for its gorgeous garden landscape.
Each season has its uniqueness and beauty in Kenrokuen Garden. Visitors come to Kenrokuen Garden to see plum blossoms and cherry blossoms in Spring.
During summer, you can expect to see the whole garden area full of greenery. However, trees started to change their color to red leaves during Autumn. It is also one of the best places for fall foliage in Kanazawa. Lastly, the freshly fallen snow gives the garden a very serene winter atmosphere.
Enjoy strolling around the beautiful Japanese landscape of Kenrokuen Garden leisurely. Follow the meandering path that takes you past gentle streams and small ponds.
The relaxing stroll also takes you past multiple reflecting pools, stone lanterns, waterfalls, and traditional tea houses. The best place to see the traditional Japanese garden.
Japanese Garden View in Kenrokuen Garden
One of the special notes is the 200 years old Karasaki pine tree. It is one of the garden’s most prominent trees. At the end of Autumn, this Karasaki pine tree and other pine trees create a wondrous sight with Yukitsuri. It is one of the traditional winter protections to prevent heavy snow.
Panoramic Viewpoints of Kanazawa City
Additionally, several spots provide panoramic viewpoints of Kanazawa city when wandering around Kenrokuen Garden.
Operating Hours: 7:00 to 18:00 (March to October 15) and 8:00 to 17:00 (October 16 to February).
Getting There: From Kanazawa station, take the Kenrokuen shuttle bus and get off at Kenrokuenshita/Kanazawajo bus stop.
Historical Kanazawa Castle
Kanazawa Castle
After you’ve finished exploring this famous Japanese attraction, simply cross the bridge once exit from Kenrokuen to reach Kanazawa Castle. The Kanazawa Castle (金沢城) was once the residence of the Maeda family and was constructed in 1583. It was one of the largest wooden castles and build with traditional techniques without any single nail or screw being used. Although it was burned down by fire several times, the castle was restored to its original and is well kept until today.
The Kanazawa Castle Park (金沢城公園) is open to the public for free. But you need to pay admission to get into Castle. It is an interesting attraction if you love to explore the castles building. But we only get a good look at the castle building and did not enter it.
Operating Hours: 7:00 to 18:00 (March to October 15) and 8:00 to 17:00 (October 16 to February).
Getting There: Kanazawa Castle is about a 10-minute walk from Kenrokuen.
Wandering in Higashi Chaya District
Higashi Chaya District in Kanazawa
During the Edo period, Chaya (Japanese Tea houses) were designed as entertainment districts with geisha performances. In Kanazawa, there is three well preserved Chaya district which is Higashi Chaya District (ひがし茶屋街 ), Western Chaya District (にし茶屋街), and Kazuemachi (主計町茶屋街).
Among the three, Higashi Chaya District is the largest and most popular attraction in Kanazawa. It is where you can find a lot of old and well-preserved traditional buildings in this neighborhood.
Wandering in Higashi Chaya District
Most of the buildings were converted into cafes and souvenir craft shops over the years. But you can still experience the traditional culture in Ochaya Shima and Kaikaro Geisha Teahouse. Both historical geisha houses are open to the public with entrance fees.
The whole area was registered as an Important Preservation District. We enjoy our time wandering in the winding streets and took a lot of lovely photos. Locals and visitors were wearing yukata or kimonos while exploring the historical town. When tired, we just stopped by and take a break at one of the cafes. It was a lovely evening walk in Higashi Chaya District.
Operating Hours: Always Open. Shops will close after business hours.
Getting there: Take the Kanazawa Lopp bus and get off at Hashibacho Station. Walk for about five minutes will get you to Higashi Chaya District.
Taste The Gold Leaf Ice Cream
Hakuichi Kanazawa
Walked along the street, you can find a lined with souvenir shops and cafes. While Kanazawa pride itself in specializing in gold leaf products. So it is not surprising to see a wide range of gold-related products such as cosmetics, tea ceremony utensils, souvenirs, and foods. You can even find gold flakes when eating ramen in Kanazawa.
Taste The Gold Leaf Wrapped Soft Vanilla Ice Cream
Hakuichi is one of the popular shops and is famous for its amazing gold leaf-wrapped soft vanilla ice cream. The thin square piece of 22 to 24-carat gold leaf was placed on the ice cream. It is biologically inert and can safely indulge. We tried the gold leaf ice cream as it looks so impressive. Overall, the gold leaf itself doesn’t have much taste. But, definitely one of the must-try local specialties in Kanazawa.
The Hakuichi is open from 9.00 until 18.00 evening. And a gold leaf ice cream costs about ¥1,000.
Dinner – Miso Ramen
End your Kanazawa itinerary with the best miso ramen in town. We went to Menya Taiga for its popular miso ramen for dinner after we checked in to our hotel, Hotel MyStays Kanazawa Castle. Located just 5 minutes from the Kanazawa station, Menya Taiga is a tiny ramen shop that hides in the alley with a long queue always.
When we got the ramen, we could understand why there were so many locals and food hunters coming for the bowl of miso ramen in Menya Taiga. It is extremely delicious ramen, with flavorful miso broth, smoky flavor pork slides, and fabulous extra added onsen egg. Simply amazing! One of the best ramen I ate in the central region. Visit here if you are looking for what to eat in Kanazawa.
Menya Taiga opens late until 23:00, and perfectly fits into any schedule on your Kanazawa itinerary. Expected wait time due to long queue.
Address: 6-3 Horikawamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0847, Japan
Business Hours: 11:30 – 15:00；17:30 – 23:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Getting there: 5 minutes walk from Kanazawa Station.
Overview: Planning on Kanazawa Itinerary
Last but not least, hope this Kanazawa travel guide helps you plan your trip to Kanazawa much easier!
How many days should I spend in Kanazawa?
Kanazawa is perfect for 1 day to 2 days itinerary. It is also possible to plan for a day trip to Kanazawa with a well-planning itinerary.
What is Kanazawa known for?
Kanazawa is renowned for its iconic Japanese garden, impeccable geisha, samurai districts, and fresh seafood cuisine.
Is Kanazawa worth visiting?
It depends on your interest. Kanazawa is a great way to experience traditional Japan from a different viewpoint such as Japanese gardens, Samurai culture, and architecture. It is less crowded compared with Kyoto.
Which is better Takayama or Kanazawa?
It is hard to choose between Takayama and Kanazawa. Both places are similar but actually different. Takayama has an old town feel while Kanazawa has interesting sites with beautifully preserved areas.
Continue Read on
If you have any questions about your trip to Kanazawa, get in touch, and I’ll do my best to help you out. Happy travel to Kanazawa. Lastly, feel free to continue reading on our Chubu travel blog to other interesting places below.
Find out what to eat in Kanazawa Omicho Market and enjoy the best local food including fresh seafood, sushi platter, sashimi rice bowl, snack, and lots of local produce here.
I love to explore the local market whenever visit a place, especially in Japan. It is the best place to experience the local vibe and sample all the fresh food. The Kanazawa Omicho Market (近江町市場, Ōmichō Ichiba) is one of the well-known fresh food markets in Kanazawa, Japan. It has been around since the Edo period and remains a very local traditional market in Japan. There is a variety of excellent seafood and local produce that you hardly can miss when visiting Kanazawa.
In this Kanazawa food guide blog post about Omicho Market, I’ll share the best food I ate and saw while walking around the market. The best place to look for what to eat in Kanazawa.
Kanazawa Travel Tips: When looking for the best price and biggest selection of hotels in Kanazawa check prices for Kanazawa Best Hotel from Booking.com. We found they are the best option and have a great cancelation policy.
Getting To Kanazawa Omicho Market
Kanazawa Omicho Market Entrance
Kanazawa Omicho Market is easy to access from Kanazawa station. From the east exit of the station, just walking straight for 15 minutes will get you to Omicho Market. Alternatively, take a short bus ride from Kanazawa station. It is just two stops from the station and gets off at the Musashigatsuji bus stop.
Wandering Around in Kanazawa Omicho Market
From Kanazawa station, we took the city bus and get off at Musashigatsuji bus stop. As soon as we arrived at Omicho Market, we decided to tour around before getting on any food to eat. There are several restaurants on both the ground and upper levels which are open for lunch as well as dinner. But the lower floor has many less expensive eateries.
Locals come to Kanazawa Omicho Market for fresh seafood and local produce. But most of the tourists visit here for their excellent fresh seafood. This Kanazawa market is famous and specialized in rice bowls topped with fresh seafood.
The market is not very big and can be finished in 30 minutes walking. But take note it can be busy and crowded during lunch hours.
What To Eat in Kanazawa Omicho Market
You can find all kinds of seafood, beef, and seasonal fruit in this market. The main focus of our food, of course, is fresh seafood. We first decided to try the fresh uni from one of the seafood stores.
Super Fresh Sea Urchin
We had the super fresh sea urchin at 500 yen and walloped it. It was so delicious and fresh. There is also other seafood in stores such as scallops, oysters, shrimp, and sashimi awaiting you to try on.
Different flavors of Fried Japanese croquette
Besides, there was also a lot of Japanese snack food. I have to admit, sometimes the fried Japanese croquette is a great choice for a quick and budget snack. There are many different flavors, all made fresh on the spot. You can also choose to heat up in their microwave in the store. Wonderful Japanese street food to grab.
Variety of Fresh Fruit in Omicho Market
Although our main focus was on seafood, don’t forget to try on the beautiful assortment of fruits and vegetables in the market. We stopped by one of the fruit stalls and would like to try some local fruits.
The Japan Shrine muscat grapes were a good choice for those who want to try the high-class fruit in Japan. So sure it was nice to see and to just imagine how juicy and sweet they taste.
However, my friend would like to try on something new. These dark-colored fruits seem like a good choice. Not sure what is this. But we enjoyed this and fell in love at first bite.
At the market, there were also a couple of shops selling homemade Japanese pickles and preserved items, all of which looked good.
Limited Sushi Platter at Unbelievable Price
Kaitenzushi Okura Sushi Restaurant in Kanazawa Omicho market
This is probably one of the highlights of our food tour in Kanazawa Omicho Market. We originally were plan to get the seafood rice bowl or sushi at any restaurant for early lunch. Mori Mori sushi seems like one of the popular sushi restaurants in Kanazawa.
But we saw there was a special limited edition of sushi platter from Kaitenzushi Okura Omicho Branch. This shop offers a limited 20 sets of sushi platters for 500 yen on weekdays. Oh my God! A great deal.
We entered the restaurant once it opened. It was a rustic local Japanese sushi restaurant and full of the local vibe. It was a conveyor belt sushi restaurant with bar counter seating. Limited seats are available and mostly filled up by locals.
Unexpected low piece sushi from Kaitenzushi Okura Omicho Restaurant
We were so lucky as the limited 20 sets were finished after us. Hot green tea was served by friendly staff. Without a long wait, our sushi platter was served. We have the 10 nigiri sushi with a bowl of miso soup. Can’t believe it only cost 500 yen. We thoroughly enjoyed the delicious sushi.
Good quality sushi and good value. Unexpected low-piece sushi in Kanazawa Omicho Market. Even if you can’t grab the 500 yen set, sure the slightly higher price set is still a good deal.
Overview: Best Food To Eat in Kanazawa
For sure, Kanazawa Omicho Ichiban is a great market for Kanazawa and worth a food trip here. Our experience shows you can get great food by visiting here. Although it was not as big as the Tokyo Tsukiji market and Sapporo fish market. But it has its charming character with many friendly vendors. The entire market street just had a pleasant authentic Japanese market feel to it. Definitely worth stopping by for some best food in Kanazawa.
Please take note our visit is during the weekday. Understand it can be crowded during the weekend.
Lastly, this Kanazawa food guide blog when looking for the best food in Omicho Ichiban is part of our Chubu trip. If you are interested, please continue reading our travel itinerary and food blog below.
