HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi is located in the center of the Katamachi district, one of the most vibrant areas of the Hokuriku region. Around 15 minutes by bus from JR Kanazawa Station. Around 60 minutes by bus from Komatsu Airport. This hotel comes highly recommended for those seeking to enjoy seasonal dishes while surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, as well as those who want to experience fantastic sightseeing locations that are rich in history and atmosphere. The Sai River, which flows nearby, is famous as the muse of the renowned Kanazawa writer Saisei Muro. There are pleasant walkways on both banks of the river, and in the spring you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kanazawa Katamachi is conveniently located just a short walk from the major sightseeing spots. It is just 15 minutes to Kanazawa Castle Park (site of the former home of the Maeda clan, the rulers of Kaga Domain), and 10 minutes to Kenroku-en Garden (famed far and wide as one of the three most scenic gardens in Japan, the archetype of the Edo-period rinsen-kaiyu style garden), and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa (a museum that is fun for the whole family). And if it’s that Kanazawa castle town feel that you’re looking for, you really can’t afford to miss the Nagamachi Samurai District, located just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. This scenic area, with its traditional-style earthen walls, stone-paved streets, and magnificent samurai houses, preserves the feel of the samurai era. The “komogake” protective straw belts that guard the earthen walls from the cold and the snow are an iconic Kanazawa winter sight.

The Chaya Districts are another iconic piece of Kanazawan culture. The largest of the three, Higashi Chaya District, is home to exceptional eateries and stylish cafés, as well as stores selling traditional craft wares, making it a tourist’s paradise. The chaya (“teahouses”) that survive in this area are representative of a style of architecture of the late Edo and early Meiji periods (roughly 1820 to 1880), preserving the traditional Japanese scenery of the town. The area has been designated, by the national government of Japan, as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, in order to preserve Japan’s traditional “Hanamachi culture.” If you want to enjoy delicious local cuisine made with the freshest seafood from the Sea of Japan, we recommend the Omi-cho Market, known as the “Kitchen of Kanazawa.” This market has flourished for about 300 years since the days of the samurai, alongside the development of Kanazawa. Today, about 170 stores are lined up one after another, and tourists throng here every day seeking delicious seasonal seafood and locally grown fruits and vegetables. We hope you will come and visit Kanazawa, a city bursting with history, culture, and delicious cuisine!