Kanazawa
Former Castle Town Of The Maeda Clan; Kenroku En Is A Special Place Of Scenic Beauty · Kanazawa, Ishikawa
A castle town on the Sea of Japan coast, once the seat of the powerful Maeda clan and one of the richest domains of the Edo period, which escaped bombing in the Second World War and so keeps its old districts. It is often called a smaller, calmer Kyoto. Its centrepiece is Kenroku-en, counted among the three great gardens of Japan, beside the reconstructed walls and gates of Kanazawa Castle. The Higashi Chaya district is a street of wooden teahouses where geisha still perform, the Nagamachi quarter keeps samurai houses behind earthen walls, and Omicho market is famous for fresh seafood, especially crab in winter. Kanazawa produces nearly all of Japan's gold leaf, and you can eat it on ice cream. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, a round glass building, is one of the most visited art museums in the country. The Hokuriku shinkansen puts Kanazawa about two and a half hours from Tokyo, and it is the base for Shirakawa-go. The Noto peninsula to the north was badly hit by the 2024 earthquake; Kanazawa itself was largely spared.
1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-0936, Japan
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: Kenroku-en opens early, around 7 am in the warmer months and 8 am in winter, and closes around 5 to 6 pm. The castle park is open longer, but its buildings close around 4:30 pm. The 21st Century Museum's exhibitions close on Mondays. Omicho market stalls are busiest from mid-morning to early afternoon and many close by 5 pm. Myoryu-ji is by reserved tour only. Confirm all times and holiday closures before travelling.