Canadian World Traveller Winter 2019-20 Issue

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51
If you turn right outside the hotel, you’re in
one of the city’s major shopping areas complete
with Starbucks, restaurants and departof
the three most beautiful gardens in all of
Japan. And then there is the amazing
Museum of Contemporary Art and small
streets with artistic cafes, as you complete a
circle back to the Tokyu Hotel.
John Yang noted that Kanazawa, with a population
of 500,000 has the same
viewing/tourism potential as Tokyo and
Kyoto, but it’s easier to digest. In fact he
noted that “the food is fresher, the people are
extremely friendly and there are lots of
hands-on activities designed for visitors”.
Since the Shinkansen (the bullet train) was
directly linked to Kanazawa from Tokyo in
2015, tourism to Japan’s Golden Triangle
(Tokyo to Hokuriku (Kanazawa) to Kansai
(Kyoto) has increased significantly. And for
those looking to use Kanazawa as a base, it’s
only one hour to Shirakawago (the famous
Gasho-Zukuri (praying hands) houses) and
to Wajima on the tip of the Noto peninsula.
The Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel
You could not ask for a better location
than the Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel. Zhi
“John” Yang, the Overseas Sales
Representative explained that “our guests feel
they are right in the center of Kanazawa”, and
he was absolutely correct!
Turn left outside the front door and you’re in
the famous Nagamachi Samurai District with
the Nomura Clan Family Home and its twostar
Michelin garden.
Article and photography by Steve Gillick
ment stores such as Tokyu Hands (a great
store for buying unique Japanese items). And
behind Tokyu Square you’ll find Chokichi, for
a super-friendly, stand-up sake bar experience.
And many of Kanazawa’s main attractions
are only 20 to 30 minute’s walk from the
hotel. This includes the Oyama Jinja Shrine
(take a selfie with the lucky Golden Frogs), the
Omi-cho Fish Market (colorful displays,
engaging vendors…and you can eat there
too), Kanazawa Castle Park (visit the partially
restored Castle that was originally built in
1583), and Kenroku-en, designated as one
But the attraction of the Kanzawa Tokyu Hotel
goes beyond location with its unique
Japanese style. The wallpaper in the hallways
depicts a winter scene of “yukizuri”, which
are the wooden frames that are built around
trees to protect them from the winter winds
and snow (you can see yukizuri in Kenrokuen
garden). The elevators reflect a gold leaf
design, paying homage to the local legend
that explains the meaning of ‘Kanazawa’ as
‘Marsh of Gold’. In fact, visitors can get
involved in the gold leaf industry which dates
to the end of the 16th century, by taking a
gold leaf workshop and eating gold ice
cream! And even the hallway carpets in the
hotel have a Japanese feel with designs of
gold sakura (cherry blossoms). It’s all very
well done!
The ultimate measure of contentedness, of
course, is in the quality of the hotel room,
and our room was comfortable, quiet and
spacious with a great view of the Japanese
Alps. I’ll stay here again!
www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/kanazawa-h/
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