Less than an hour from Kanazawa station, and you arrive at a quiet bay where the energy shifts the moment you step out of the car. The air feels different—cleaner, lighter—and you immediately sense you are somewhere special.
From there, breath the experience as it unfolds with a rare kind of harmony. The setting is disarmingly simple, yet every detail feels intentional. The sea on one side, forest on the other, birds singing as the window is intentionally slightly open.
A breeze of Noto air, clouds moving quickly across the sky—you are fully immersed in the Japanese countryside, a place that feels timeless but never dated.
At the heart of it all is a young man called “Shio-jii” a community focused philanthropist, and an outstanding sommelier who focuses on tea, wine and sake and whose presence and humility defines the room.
Gracious, elegant, and precise, he moves with quiet confidence. With just two tables, the intimacy is striking—there’s a balance of casualness and formality that’s difficult to describe, but deeply felt.
And then, the cuisine. Chef Hirata and his wife are an extraordinary team, she smiles, laughs and adds a joyful touch, while the chef delivers a thoughtful presentation and culinary journey.
There is an instinct in his cooking—an understanding of ingredients, balance, and restraint—that feels almost intuitive. Wabi, but leaning into Sabi. Everything is deliberate, yet never forced. The combinations, the textures, the purity—it is thoughtful, precise, and deeply expressive.
Working with a small team, almost entirely by hand, he delivers something remarkable. This is true “kilometre zero” cooking—not just local, but profoundly seasonal. Each ingredient feels exactly as it should be in that moment. The meal is rich, yet never heavy—leaving you fulfilled, but also reflective.
This jardiniere is extraordinary and the assemblage of the various fresh, fermented and pickled vegetables is pure ecstasy for any foodie.
From the opening plum flower tea to the final handmade espresso, every detail resonates. And the dessert… without hesitation, one of the most memorable I’ve ever had. Worth the journey on its own and don’t miss the experience.
To come to Kanazawa and not experience the Villa Della Pace and the hospitality is not to miss as it is something truly special.
By the way: you can also sleep at Villa Della Pace—🌈🌈🌈
Address: 〒929-2234 Ishikawa, Nanao, Nakajimamachi Shiotsu, 乙は部26-1
Phone: 0767-88-9017
Reservations: ikyu.com, tablecheck.com