By Steve Corless

If your travel itinerary allows more than 10 days to explore Japan, consider a side trip to the city of Kanazawa and surrounding towns and villages. Kanazawa is located on the Sea of Japan and is the prefecture’s capitol city. During the Edo Period (1603-1867) the city was a political and cultural center rivaling Kyoto. Today, the city boasts well-preserved neighborhoods, world-class museums and gardens, and retains its position as one of the country’s centers of traditional art and culture.

I recommend at least three or four days to explore Kanazawa and the environs.One itinerary route I recommend for clients traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto is to travel to Kanazawa from Nagoya with a night in Takayama and a visit to Shirakawago. The scenic journey to Takayama on the Hida Express train winds through narrow mountain valleys, arriving in less than three hours. Takayama is a smaller city nestled in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture with a well-preserved Old Town of wooden shops and homes. It’s worthy of a leisurely afternoon strolling through the town’s narrow streets. Hida Folk Village is a short bus or taxi ride from Takayama Station and includes an open-air museum with 30 traditional minka thatched room farmhouses from the surrounding Hida region. Takayama’s Old Town neighborhood and the Hida Folk Village give the visitor a taste of Japan’s village and country life of years past. The town has many ryokan inns to complete the experience.
Shirakawago, located between Takayama and Kanazawa, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and, although not accessible by train, is a must-see. The majestic farmhouses, dating back as much as 250 years, are a testament to Japanese traditional craftsmanship and architectural beauty.  

Farmhouse in Shirakawago in Winter	Cherry blossoms in Kenrokuen Garden

The city of Kanazawa’s best-known attraction is Kenrokuen gardens, often cited as one of Japan’s top landscape gardens. Kanazawa, like Kyoto, was spared wartime damage. The town retains its original character. Visit the Nagamachi former samurai district, the chaya teahouse neighborhood and Ninja-dera, a temple equipped with secret doors and traps. The newly built 21st Century Museum of Modern Art is a world-class museum near Kenrokuen and is an enjoyable experience even for those unfamiliar with modern art.

Nagamachi former samurai district	Samurai Residence

Kanazawa’s artisans and craftsmen are renowned for their traditional works, including ceramics and lacquerware. One of the most beautiful examples of this is kaga maki-e, or Japanese lacquer sprinkled with gold powder. Some local artists in the city open their studios to visitors and offer a personal demonstration of their craft, one of many rich experiences that are unique to this special part of Japan.

Photos © Kanazawa City/© JNTO