Published date: May 11, 2025
Enjoying Kanazawa in Full Bloom: Exploring Classic and Slightly Offbeat Spots
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
This is my third stay for enjoying Kanazawa in full bloom during the spring.
The excellent location, spacious guest rooms, and cleanliness are significant points that make me feel safe when staying.
I checked in before 21:30.
It's easy to check in; you just enter your name on a touch panel.
Additionally, the staff provides support.
There is a self-locker on the first floor, so you can leave your luggage before or after check-in.
Moreover, the electronic lock ensures high security.
I'm a bit uneasy with dial locks at other hotels...
The OMO Café located on the first floor has a different atmosphere during the day and night.
During the daytime, it's a bright and clean space, while at night, it becomes a calm and soothing environment.
Breakfast is limited to hotel guests, but the café is open to everyone.
Once again, my room is a twin bed room on the top floor, 6th floor.
I prefer having separate bath and toilet facilities.
I like how the sliding door separates the main room from the entrance!
The mirror at the independent washbasin is large, which I believe will be appreciated by women.
Although there is a window, the view is just the building across the street. Yet, I love the pattern of the curtains, making it one of my favorite points.
The size is more than enough if I'm staying alone.
I had made a reservation for the activity "Kanazawa 21st Century Museum Walking Tour" from the official OMO website, which I joined the next morning at 8:30.
They walked us from the hotel to the 21st Century Museum, sharing recommendations for dining spots and some local information along the way.
They also informed us about recommended photo spots at the 21st Century Museum and lesser-known facts.
* Previously, I joined the same activity, but it seems that the content varies depending on the staff.
I checked out at 11:00.
Once again, it was a great trip!
Experiences during the trip
This time, we visited famous cherry blossom spots and explored some offbeat locations since it's our fourth trip to Kanazawa.
In the morning, we took the classic route: Kenrokuen → Kanazawa Castle → Gyokusen'inmaru Garden → Oyama Shrine.
For lunch, we explored the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art → Kenrokuen → Kanazawa Castle → Higashi Chaya District → Kakehashi Chaya District +α.
In the evening, we checked out the illuminated spots: Kenrokuen → Kanazawa Castle → Gyokusen'inmaru Garden → Oyama Shrine.
1. Kenrokuen
We visited three times: early morning, noon, and at night for the light-up.
The early opening is at 4:30 a.m., but it's still dark, so honestly, it feels like night.
You can enter during this dark early morning with the special early opening (the times vary depending on the season).
We walked through the unlit paths to view the cherry blossoms in their natural night ambiance! It's such an enjoyable experience!
Please note that what looks like cherry blossoms might actually be plum blossoms.
As the sun rises, the park becomes clearer! This excitement is great 😊
We took photos of the sunrise and cherry blossoms, and because it was early, there were few people, allowing for slow, relaxed photography.
We also visited around 11:00 a.m., but there were too many people, making it hard to move forward.
Trying to get a good angle sometimes put us right in the middle of the path, making it challenging to take the photos as expected.
Let's enjoy ourselves while keeping the etiquette in mind during photo shooting.
Around 7:00 p.m., we returned to see the light-up.
The crowd was still big but seemed less than at 11:00 a.m.
It felt like there were fewer families with children and older people around.
The cherry blossoms beautifully lit up at night looked stunning 😊
It was fascinating and interesting how the colors looked different to the naked eye compared to the camera!
It was a wonderful cherry blossom view that made me think I want to come back!
2. Kanazawa Castle and Kanazawa Castle Park
For beautiful cherry blossom photos, I recommend the moat with the Hishiyagura and the cherry blossom lane near the Black Gate.
The cherry blossoms near the moat are beautiful both during the day and when illuminated at night.
You can take stunning pictures and videos here too.
The cherry blossom lane near the Black Gate is famous as a hanami spot, and I saw many families enjoying it.
It's recommended to visit this area during the day.
○ Nearby gourmet spots
- Kanazawa Coffee
This café also made a brief appearance in the drama "99.9," starring Jun Matsumoto.
There are table seats on the first and second floors.
Takeout is also possible.
I wanted to stroll around the moat while enjoying the cherry blossoms, so I opted for takeout.
The inside is stylish, and the coffee was delicious.
3. Higashiyama Chaya District
This is actually a hidden gem.
While it's not as grand as Higashi Chaya, the narrow back alleys are charming and photogenic!
Definitely try taking photos in kimono or yukata.
Taking a shot of the weeping cherry blossoms from the top of the stairs is beautiful.
Since there were few people, I had the place almost to myself.
Walking along the Asano River and taking photos from the bridge also creates fantastic scenery.
4. The Far End of Higashiyama
Most people only walk one loop around Higashi Chaya but honestly, that’s a waste.
At the end of Higashi Chaya, there are cherry trees at "Utatsu Shrine."
There are also rare upside-down guardian lions like at Ishikura Shrine.
If you climb the slope for about 240 meters from Higashiyama, you'll find "Hosenji Temple," which also offers recommended views.
Nearby Hosenji, there are beautiful parks blooming with cherry blossoms.
○ Nearby gourmet spots
- Chaney Garden
A newly opened spot in HigASHI Chaya.
The master works solo, serving drinks and tea snacks.
When I mentioned I wanted something photogenic to drink, they recommended the “Fermented Box.”
It’s a soft drink served in a masu (sake measuring box) and it was delicious!
Please make sure to film the preparation process too.
There are also soft drinks available.
5. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
Cherry trees have been planted here since it used to be an elementary school.
They bloom beautifully, making it a great spot for hanami or taking photos with cherry blossoms as a backdrop.
It's much less crowded than Kenrokuen, making it perfect for families with children.