Kanazawa
 

Traveling to Japan with my two pre-teens this summer. We're spending 2 weeks in Tokyo at a friend's home and will go on one 4-5 day trip early August. I have fond memories of Kanazawa and my bike trip around Noto Peninsula. Want to bring the family back. KimJapan, what would you suggest? I love your posts.... hotel/ryokan budget is mid-range... Thanks! (I speak Nihongo, so the more authentic, the better!)

What is midrange to you in price per person per night?

In July and August there are fireworks on two successive weekends, usually the last weekend of July and the first weekend of August...I haven't seen a schedule yet for this year, but it shouldn't be any different than years past. There are summer festivals happening throughout the month of August. The first weekend in August there is a festival in my neighborhood...Nomachi. It's pretty local, but interesting, with some performances, lots of food and games. It's held in the Nomachi elementary school grounds.

It is hotter than hot in Kanazawa in August, so most people enjoy going to pools. There are a few around town that have good facilities...Renais Kanazawa is one place that my daughter really enjoys with her friends. The beach is not very appealing as it isn't clean and is crowded, so give that a miss.

It is cooler and nice in the Hakusan area just south of Kanazawa. You can enjoy a hike in the mountains and soba lunch and a bath.

Yu no Kuni Tensho has some good specials in summer, and if it hasn't changed, they offer some hands on craft experiences.

I haven't gotten the listings for summer activities for kids yet...it usually gets sent home from school in June...but there are always lots of cool things.

The Notojima aquarium isn't special in terms of fish or facilities, but they do have a "meet the dolphin" experience that is really cool...you get in the water with them and touch them...it's fun. I heard they are also starting a swim with dolphins program, but don't have confirmation from the aquarium yet.

The 21st Century museum has neat exhibits that are always changing...and it's cool inside. The garden that surrounds it is nice too in a modern museum garden kind of way.

You can make something from gold leaf by appointment only at Sakuda.

Shirakawa-go and/or Gokayama are cooler and nice...we like them a lot.

Too bad we are leaving Japan on August 4 for the month. My daughter is 9 and is getting to be a good tour guide. It would be good for her to speak English to other kids. You could send me e-mail at teaghanmackenzie at mac dot com.

Thanks, Kim. Finally back online planning my trip. Saw many of your suggestions in other postings and am investigating the Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa (with a daytrip to Noto) for our August trip (sorry to miss ya'll!). I know it will be hot, so the mountains are looking good!

Do you recommend a 7-day JR pass for this excursion? Rent a car instead?

Still have not booked hotels/ryokans/minshuku. Any suggestions? For4 people, $300 with brek. is my range. Tough in Japan, I know!

Every place in Shirakawa-go is about ¥7000 - ¥8000 per person with dinner and breakfast included.

In Takayama, maybe the Rickshaw Inn.

In Kanazawa, the Tokyu Excel Kanazawa.

For going to S-go and Takayama and Noto, a car would be easier and more time efficient for 4 people. Don't rent in Tokyo and drive, though, as it's 8 - 10 hours. Fly to Komatsu or Toyama and rent, or train to Kanazawa or Toyama and rent.

Thanks so much for the quick reply. Will look into your recommendations. Found an older looking ryokan on the river in Kanazawa called Saigawa Soo on the Japanese Rakuten site. Any good? Neat location... and 24,000 yen for us 4... would appreciate your insiders opinion.

I walk past this place every morning, well almost every morning. They've had a banner out advertising ¥5,500 special price for over a year. There are seldom more than one or two rooms occupied that I've ever seen. Empty parking lot. Looks upkept somewhat, but not carefully...could use a bit of landscaping, some building attention. It's about 20 - 25 minutes walk to the downtown area with kids...maybe 15 at a clip. Kenrokuen is same. Taxi would be about ¥1000 yen to Kenrokuen.

I can't say I'd recommend it. It looks a bit gloomy and dismal to me, and it is not someplace I'd be psyched to check into.

Along the Saigawa is nice, sort of. In summer, it is where young people go to party and set off fireworks late into the night. It's not dangerous, but it's not a pleasant place to walk at night imo. In winter, it's lovely and quiet, but summer...

With kids...the Tokyu Excel or nearby APA Chuo would be fine. Not atmospheric in a Japanese way, but Saigawa So doesn't look to me, from the outside, to be special in any way either. At least at the Tokyu or APA, you'd be near shops and restaurants and sightseeing spots.

If you want to send e-mail I can give you some alternative ideas...but I'd rather continue by e-mail than on a public forum.
teaghanmackenzie at mac dot com.