Hello Kanazawa

The rows of red latticed machiya (traditional townhouses, a type of residence or store in the central area of a city, most of which were constructed in the feudal age) is an other-worldly scene! Many tourists who come to Kanazawa for the first time visit this popular sightseeing area.
Since the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, new shops and cafés have sprung up in quick succession, making it even more enjoyable place to walk around in and explore its back alleyways. Even if you have already been to the area once before, it’s definitely worth another visit. A local writer will tell you about how best to enjoy the area.

Kanazawa is a samurai town that was formed around its castle. Crafts have been a prolific industry since the age of the samurai, and up to this day the art of crafts has been carefully preserved and handed down through the generations. Art museums, galleries and shops in the city are always teeming with crafts and art. You are sure to find something that takes your fancy among the many options, which range from crafts made using traditional techniques to charming crafts that have been designed to suit modern tastes. Below you will find information about how to enjoy the crafts in the area around Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens.

Kenrokuen Garden was built by the Maeda Clan nearly 350 years ago as the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle. As one of the “three most beautiful gardens in Japan” (the others being Korakuen in Okayama and Kairakuen in Mito), it has been designated as a special place of scenic beauty. With the improvement of transportation access in recent years, an increasing number of overseas tourists have come to visit the 24.5-acre daimyo garden. Here we advise you on how best to enjoy this world-class Japanese garden considered to be the pride of Kanazawa.

Kanazawa is a castle town located on the Japan Sea coast. Because it has never been damaged by any wars or natural disasters, many old townscapes and cultural assets still remain. The city flourished during the Edo Period, and since then cultural activities have been very popular. Residents enjoy tea ceremony and Noh theater, and are known for their gourmet culinary senses. During your stay in Kanazawa, be sure to experience the city's beautiful townscapes, traditional culture, traditional crafts, and food culture.

The autumn leaves start to change their color from high up in the mountains and then gradually come down to towns. If you go anywhere around Kanazawa, you are sure to come across the best autumn colors. If you visit Kanazawa in October or November, be sure to go on a trip to admire the autumn colors.
*The best time to view colored autumn leaves varies from year to year.

Do you find it difficult to use local buses in a city that you’re visiting for the first time? Here, I will introduce some useful bus lines for tourists which connect to major sights like Higashi Chaya District, Omicho Market, Kenrokuen Garden and the 21st Century Museum. By using a Kanazawa City One-Day Bus Pass, I hope you will get the most out of the city!

If you are visiting Kanazawa, why don’t you extend your stay for one more day and do a quick day trip to another city? I will show you some popular day trip destinations from Kanazawa! You will be surprised how many fascinating choices you have such as Shirakawago and Noto! It is easy to go by car, but there are bus tours for people who cannot drive in Japan.