Favorites English(US) USD

Ishikawa] A must-see for those with a sweet tooth! 5 attractive sweets in Ishikawa area

Ishikawa] A must-see for those with a sweet tooth! 5 attractive sweets in Ishikawa area

2023-03-28

With the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Kanazawa in 2015, the Ishikawa area has become even more significantly more valuable as a tourist destination. In fact, it is also a prefecture that often ranks high in the national ranking of cake consumption based on purchase value. Ishikawa is a prefecture with a sweet tooth, and naturally, there are many sweet stores to satisfy your craving for sweets. In this issue, we will introduce five attractive sweets stores in the Ishikawa area.

Author of this article

Marga Gelato Noto Main Store



The best gelato in the world, both in name and in reality, can be tasted at Marga Gelato, located in Noto Town on the Noto Peninsula. Recently, branches have been operating in Nonoichi and Roadside Station Senrihama, but the main store is located in a rural area of the Noto Peninsula. Compared to its reputation and name recognition, the somewhat inaccessible and small store is a bit of a letdown. Incidentally, "Marga" is an Italian word meaning "a pasture on a small hill. The name evokes a tranquil countryside setting, perfect for a location away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Store served by the world's best gelato artisan.



Daizo Shibano, the representative of Marga Gelato, is well known for his numerous titles as a gelato artisan: in 2015, he won the "Japan Gelato Maestro Contest" and became the best gelato artisan in Japan, and the following year, 2016, he was appointed as the World Gelato Ambassador. The following year, 2017, he won the world's largest contest "Sorbet Festival" held in Italy, where he was crowned the world's best gelato artisan. Furthermore, in 2021, the International Federation of Patisserie, Ice Cream, and Chocolate, officially recognized by the Italian government, named both the Marga Gelato Noto main store and Nonoichi store as the "World's Best Gelato Shop. So, they are now the focus of attention not only in Japan but also in the world.

Menu changes daily.



As a store owned by an artisan who won the world's top prize after unimaginable training, the gelato offered is all top-notch. They have more than 10 flavors to choose from every day, and even more limited time offerings will be added to the lineup. All flavors are made with 100% raw milk from cows raised in Okunoto, so the intense flavor, smoothness, and richness are as good as guaranteed. Also noteworthy is the use of local ingredients such as natural salt and fruits.

Take-out only



The menu is selected from a large, easy-to-understand list. Container variations include cones or cups, each with single and double options. Incidentally, eating and drinking are not allowed in the restaurant, only takeout. There are about 20 benches outside for eating and drinking, so you can enjoy your order there.

<店舗情報>
Name:Marga Gelato Noto Main Store
Address: 〒927-0311 163-1 Mizuho, Noto-cho, Ishikawa-ken, Hojo-gun
Business hours: 10:00-17:00
Closed: March-October: Open daily / November-February: Wednesdays Year-end: Dec. 28 - New Year's Jan. 4
Phone number: 0768-67-1003

fluffy



In March 2022, the popular pancake cafe "fluffy" made a new start. The store used to be located in Higashi Chaya-gai, a famous sightseeing spot in Kanazawa, but after closing the store for a while, it was relocated to Tsukibashi-cho, Hakusan City in the suburbs and reopened. Before the relocation, the area was busy with many tourists, but after the relocation, the café has been reborn as a more community-based café that is easily accessible to locals.

Renovated old house is a relaxing space



The building of the restaurant is an old house that was originally rural in character. It is located on a narrow road, which is somewhat difficult to reach unless you know the area well. The interior is a large tatami room that has been used as it is for eating and drinking. It is small and clean, but the overall atmosphere is Showa-style, warm and cozy and relaxing. It is easy to lose track of time and linger in the restaurant. Although tables are available, the main dining area is a tatami room with wooden chabudai tables.

Pancake cooking is done slowly after ordering.



We recommend the standard "Original Buttermilk Pancakes" for 900 yen including tax. The moderate sweetness and fluffy texture are superb, and the three tiers of pancakes make for a perfect volume. The pancakes are carefully and slowly baked to order, so you can fully enjoy the freshly made flavor. In addition, the first thing that catches your eye when it is served is the tableware, which was handmade by the owner himself. The ceramic plates and coffee cups, which look cute and stylish and go well with the atmosphere of the restaurant, enhance the deliciousness of the pancakes with their appearance and texture.

Great menu for lunch



As an unexpected combination for pancakes, which are in the sweets category, the menu item "prosciutto pancakes" is also a must. The cheese sauce and salty prosciutto ham blend perfectly with the pancakes. The menu structure is attractive not only for light meals but also for lunch. The restaurant is so popular that it is not uncommon to wait several dozen minutes for a table. It is convenient to make a reservation in advance so that you will be notified by phone when you can enter the restaurant.

<店舗情報>
As of 2023, the store is closed.

Kanazawa Higashiyama Kanaza Wa Ice Cream



Ice cream usually melts over time, but did you know that there is ice cream that does not melt? Kanazawa Higashi Chayamachi area's "Kinza Wa Ice Cream" is a store that has become the talk of the town for offering such a mysterious ice cream. It has been featured in various media and attracts many people including tourists.

Safe, naturally derived ingredients



When one hears that ice cream does not melt, one might be tempted to think that some kind of chemical substance is being used that might be bad for one's health. However, there is no need to worry. As a result of research conducted in cooperation with the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Kanazawa University, we have succeeded in developing a strawberry-derived ingredient called "strawberry polyphenol. By molding ice cream with this patented ingredient, a unique product is created using only natural ingredients.

Slow and deliberate tasting



As for how long the ice cream will not melt, it will not lose its shape for about three hours. It is convenient to say that even in harsh conditions such as under the hot sun, it does not melt and drip onto your hands or the ground, and you do not have to hurry to finish eating it. At the stage when regular ice cream begins to melt, this ice cream changes to a soft texture similar to elastic jelly. Although it is clearly different from regular ice cream, and tastes vary, the difference in texture that changes over time is one of the ways to enjoy it.

Variety of tastes and shapes



Other than the fact that it does not melt, its other characteristics are no different from those of ordinary ice cream. Kanaza Wa-ice offers a variety of ice cream flavors, including vanilla, strawberry, and green tea. In addition, the shape is also full of playfulness. For example, there are ice cream shaped like the crest of the Maeda family, the feudal lord of Kaga, and ice cream in the style of a snow cone, which are pleasing to the eye just by looking at them. You can also choose toppings such as a sprinkling of Kanazawa's famous gold leaf or a sauce of your choice.

<店舗情報>

As of 2023, the store is closed.

Maru Fuji



Since its establishment in 1955, MARUFUJI has been operating as one of the oldest cake shops in Hokuriku. It was the first sweets store in Komatsu City and has grown to become a favorite among locals. With the most recent opening of a new store, we continue to challenge new fields, believing in the possibilities of sweets.

melon ball



The "Melon Ball" is an indispensable part of Maru Fuji's identity. It has been making a splash on social networking sites because of its striking appearance. The melon is sliced in half, and the half is hollowed out in the shape of a ball, and jelly and 10 kinds of fruits are placed in the holes. The price is in the 1000 yen range, which is equivalent to one roll cake, but it may be the perfect treat for anniversaries or special occasions. Since there are two types, the green "King" and the orange "Queen," it is recommended that several people compare their tastes.

A tradition that has continued for three generations of parents and children



The current Maru Fuji management team is the second and third generation of brothers. The founder, who was shocked by the taste of western sweets he tasted for the first time, opened a cake shop at the young age of 24. His belief in the power of sweets to make people happy has been passed down to the present. He is a leader in the industry in creating not only melon balls, but also standard cakes and limited-edition sweets, making the most of good local ingredients. For those who love sweets, this is a must-visit store even if you are a long way from home.

Confectionery theme park



On November 17, 2022, "Sweets Garden Maru Fuji" will open as a new challenge for Maru Fuji. It added a new page to its history as a sweets store. Many customers lined up in line from early in the morning on the first day, indicating the high expectations of many people. The concept of the new store, which was opened through crowdfunding, is a "theme park of sweets. The idea is so rare in Japan, let alone in Hokuriku, and the passion of the staff members who made it a reality is astonishing. The new store will also have a place for children to have hands-on experiences, making it a highly recommended store for families.

<店舗情報>
Store Name:MARUFUJI
Address: Nana 30, Oki-machi, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Business hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Phone number: 0761-22-7866

Sweet Cafe Chayu



The first sweet store you should visit when taking a break in Higashi Chaya-gai, a regular sightseeing spot in Kanazawa, is "Sweet Cafe Chayu. Since its opening as a resting place for people after taking a bath in a public bathhouse, it has become a popular sweet store representing Kanazawa.

Stylish sweets with a blend of Japanese and Western flavors



Chayu is divided into the first and second floors, with the first floor mainly selling soft-serve ice cream and a variety of gelato ice cream. On the second floor, you can enjoy sweets in a relaxed atmosphere in a tatami room. There are many high-quality Japanese sweets such as zenzai and anmitsu. The colorful wagashi are sure to be a hit on social networking sites.

<店舗情報>
Name:Sweet Cafe Chayu
Address: 1-7-8 Higashiyama, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to dusk (may open at 1 p.m.)
Regular day off: irregular
Phone number: 076-253-1715
Official website: http://chayu.info/

summary

These are the five sweets stores in the Ishikawa area that you should definitely visit. You will find a wide variety of personalities, from stores that attract sweets lovers from around the world to those that are local to the area and those that use highly original and unique technology. If you have a sweet tooth, why not consider a trip to Ishikawa Prefecture?

Recommended articles