russ_in_LA

We loved Kanazawa and the sakura there was one of the highlights of our trip last year!

Kavey

We thought we'd missed sakura on Kanazawa but there were several trees in Kenrokuen that were not only in full bloom but were varieties with many more petals per flower than the more common varieties, such that they looked like pom-poms! So glorious! Shared rather too many photos of the garden on my Instagram feed, was so inspired!!

Boveney

The late blooming 'pom pom' sakura is yaezakura - useful to look for when you've missed the main sakura season (eg Shinjukugyoen in Tokyo has a good collection.) The ume were really the only things in bloom in Kenrokuen in late March - quite a few weeks after the Tokyo season had finished. Kanazawa was noticeably behind the capital in terms of flowering times. Heading over to look at Kavey's photos now.

SLifestyle

Thank you so much for this report. We have given this area 3 nights, well actually Shirakawago, Kanazawa and Toyama. This time is sandwiched between Miajima and Tokyo. We were thinking of staying 2 nights in Tokayam and looking for the a place to stay for the last night. This is the end of a 16 night first time trip to Japan trip for pleasure. Now that you have returned what would you suggest for these nights. I have to say coming form Los Angeles reading about Shirakawago made me want to hop on that bus too. We had thought about locating in Kanazawa or Toyama? Do you have thoughts on this? We are really open for anything and happy to spend for a great unusual Ryokan or hotel. Our trip is soon, this June...Love Fodors!

Boveney

SLifestyle, if the question is Kanazawa or Toyama, I would certainly say Kanazawa, but you will get more in depth advice if you post this in a new thread, with that heading. We only rode through Toyama on the bus to get to the Shinkansen station. There is a castle which looked nice but Kanazawa is a destination in its own right. I think Toyama is more of a jumping off point for the surrounding countryside. Have a great trip!

rhkkmk

thanks for the detailed report

kanazawan

"visited Noto some 40 years ago" "Saruyama Cape"

Even today it would be rare to see non-japanese visitors around there. but, 40 years ago, another "westerner" seems to have visited the same area (possibly in late April, judging from a pictures in the middle of his blog http://larryinjapan40yearsago.blogsp...n-1973-74.html The first one of his three Noto pictures shows that he was in the village of Fukami, located at the southern foot of Mt./Cape Saruyama http://imgcache.its-mo.com/contents/...74848-1_im.jpg white tower near the top of the cliff is Saruyama lighthouse ) For anyone interested in visiting this remote cape/lighthouse, cherry-blossom vista there (typically in late april) tend to be fabulous http://www.kawasemi-108.jp/ahwazima.html (just below the pic of two sacred trees is afore-mentioned Fukami village shortly before the Noto Earthquake in 2007, apparently. The two pictures below it are those of the hamlet of Yoshiura, located at the northern foot of Mt./Cape Saruyama and even more remote than Fukami. Possibly the most isolated seaside village in Honshu, the main island of Japan) Anyway, the coastal area between Cape Saruyama and the western edge of the main town of Wajima is one of the most picturesque, off-the-beaten parts of Noto. Sparsely-populated, the largest "town" in this area is probably http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gX0fBh3DVS...0/RIMG0195.JPG Oozawa (pic from http://ponkanchan.blogspot.jp/search/label/Noto%20Hanto Although her pictures are really good, some of her explanation seem to be inaccurate/misleading. For example, she write "Ishikawa's beaches were really clean". But as i explained earlier http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...omment-9592281 , the Sea of Japan has been awash with every kind of rubbish for these few decades, especially with those floating from South Korea/Northern China. It's possible she visited Noto beaches just after massive clean-up operations.)
Sorry to keep writing, but i feel Boveney's very interesting/informative report/thread seem to be an ideal place to offer additional information for people interested in this area. Anyway, within Noto's northwestern coastal area visited by Boveney, there are some "hidden gem" type of places. For example, if you happen to be interested in centuries-old thatched-roof buildings dating back to the feudal era, some of the most impressive ones in japan are located around there. Agishi Honseiji https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...F%EF%BC%91.jpg , for example, is in a small village, several kilometres southwest of Sojiji temple. http://www.trust-jk.co.jp/diary/furu...entry-747.html If you are interested in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groups...onal_Buildings this kind of things, Kuroshima (one of Kitamaebune ship-owners' villages till the 19th century) is situated a few kilometres west of Sojiji. (seaside village in the middle of https://www.flickr.com/photos/68668266@N02/favorites . First two of http://takashitzr.blog62.fc2.com/?ta...5%B7%9D&page=2 ) Sojiji itself might be still under repair due to the severe earthquake 10 years ago.
If the air is clear, driving/cycling along Noto's eastern coast would be also nice, because of the Northern Alps vista across the sea on such a day. http://img.travel.rakuten.co.jp/shar...GE/hPdPUj.jpeg (probably Suzu area near northeastern tip of Noto peninsula) http://blog.goo.ne.jp/yamaakmyk/e/ec...e1bd6084fddea1 (in mid-May in the prefectural border between Ishikawa/Toyama) Places like Koiji beach in Suzu, Tsukumo Bay (Hyakurakuso area), Eastern tip of Notojima island, etc. are also good places to see the snow-capped mountains beyond the sea if/when the air is clear.

FromDC

Please don't be sorry, Kanazawan, this is SO helpful for my upcoming trip, will be there in 10 days!

kanazawan

Thanks,FromDC. If you can see snow-capped Northern Alps clearly/beautifully from the windows of Shinkansen in the Toyama area, then afterwards on the same day you might be able to see the magical Alps-floating-beyond-the-sea scenery from your room in Hyakurakuso. Unpredictable at this point. A few more photo links related to my previous post. Most pictures of the first page of http://www.panoramio.com/user/6601036 (except first four)seem to have been taken in May in northern parts of Noto. Rice fields are flooded, thus more scenic than in other seasons. Coastal/cliffside roads in the photo album are those in the west/southwest of the main town of Wajima. According to http://urushitanteidan2014.blogspot....-meanings.html , at least one non-japanese seem to have discovered afore-mentioned Agishi Honsei-ji. After reading Boveney's interesting report about Kanazawa, i have noticed that some people are interested in DT Suzuki museum, and that they visit it from the main road. But, if you also happen to be interested in it, i recommend you go there from Kenrokuen's plum garden, through Kanazawa Shrine area ( http://www.hokkoku.co.jp/subpage/OD20150512501.htm ) adjacent to Kenrokuen and an old Samurai house, then through the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art area, down the cliff along the waterfall http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2_W8YIkNA9.../s1600/049.JPG , etc., all through back streets/paths. There are many historic building, walls, waterways, gardens, Kyudo-jo,etc. both above/below the hill of Kenrokuen/Seisonkaku, so it's enjoyable to walk around the area.
When you go to Yamanaka Onsen from Kanazawa, you can consider visiting Natadera as well (see my post here http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...omment-9355096 , although the best season of Natadera is autumn foliage period.

FromDC

Beautiful pictures, so looking forward to seeing it.

Boveney

Thank you, Kanazawan, for your very valuable additions. I have saved your directions for the back route to the Suzuki museum - for the next trip! I do think this is a city for repeat visits - if only to see Kenrokuen in different seasons.

kalihiwai2

Thank you, Kanazawan, for links and suggestions.
Just returned from two days in Kanazawa and looking forward to return visit.
Ate best oyster ever in Omicho market, fresh prepared.
Although rainy, had wonderful time.
Thanks for Noto links.

kalihiwai2

Boveney, Wanted to thank you in last post for your great detailed trip report.
Like you I want to go back to this region and see more.
We had a rainy two days in Kanazawa but managed to see a lot of the sights you mention.
Thanks for posting

okoshi2002

ttt