Kenrokuen, adjacent to Kanazawa Castle, is one of Japan’s most celebrated gardens. Its name, “garden of the combined six,” signifies its embodiment of six ideal garden qualities: spaciousness, seclusion, human artifice, age, water features, and vistas—elements rarely found together.

The garden’s appearance shifts with the seasons. Spring brings cherry blossoms, summer vibrant moss, and autumn sees maples and zelkovas ablaze with color. In winter, “yukizuri” protects trees from snow.

Historic teahouses, like the 1774-built Yugao-tei and the newer Shigure-tei, highlight Kanazawa’s tea ceremony heritage, offering visitors a place to relax.

Originally a smaller outer garden of Kanazawa Castle, Kenrokuen was established by the Maeda family in the 17th century. It was expanded by subsequent generations and opened to the public in 1874. Kenrokuen Garden is known as one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.

Omicho Market has been Kanazawa’s largest fresh food market since the Edo period. This bustling network of covered streets is home to over 180 stalls and restaurants, offering a wide array of fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, and other local specialties.

While early mornings see more local shoppers, lunchtime brings a surge of activity as restaurants buzz with patrons. Popular eateries, especially those serving local fish, often have lines forming well in advance.

Many vendors treat their shops as impromptu restaurants, allowing customers to sample fresh produce and recommended bites. Some even grill up oysters, squid, crab, and shrimp right at the counter for shoppers to enjoy on the spot.

Kaga Onsen-kyo is a charming hot spring region made up of six unique areas, including traditional post towns, historic castle towns, and bustling fishing ports. Each area has its own distinct character, offering visitors something new to discover with every visit. Surrounded by beautiful seasonal forests and blessed with fresh seafood, Kaga Onsen-kyo remains a beloved destination throughout the year. Its timeless appeal even draws artists and calligraphers, continuing to inspire and attract people from all walks of life.

The Kutani-yaki Art Museum showcases the rich history of Kutani ware, Ishikawa’s distinctively decorated porcelain known for its bold colors and elaborate designs.

The museum features exemplary works by renowned artists across centuries, with helpful English explanations. Even the museum’s architecture, including its tearoom, garden, and shop, incorporates Kutani tile, immersing visitors in the art form.

Kutani ware production began around the 1650s but ceased after about 50 years. It was revived in 1824 by a wealthy merchant who built a new kiln, ensuring the continuous evolution and production of Kutani ware in Ishikawa ever since.

Daianzenji Temple, an important cultural property located northwest of Fukui City, is a Rinzai Zen temple with a history spanning over 1300 years. Originally founded by the revered monk Taicho Daishi, it was tragically destroyed by Oda Nobunaga’s forces in 1574.

Later, in 1658, Matsudaira Mitsumichi, the 4th lord of the Fukui domain, deeply devoted to the monk Daigu Soshiku Zenji, rebuilt the temple on its sacred grounds. He established it as the perpetual family temple for the Matsudaira family, honoring his parents and ancestors.

Beyond its rich history, Daianzenji offers much to see and experience:

Natural Beauty: Every early summer, the hydrangeas are in full bloom, drawing many visitors.

Cultural Experiences: To make Buddhism and Zen more accessible, the temple offers engaging programs such as “Ikiki Howa” (lively Dharma talks), “Zazen (seated meditation) experiences,” and “Shakyo (sutra copying) experiences,” allowing visitors to easily connect with Buddhist practices.Why not step away from your hectic daily life and spend some time at Daianzenji Temple, enveloped in tranquility, to quietly reflect on yourself?

Echizen Washi is a traditional Japanese paper crafted in the Echizen region of Fukui Prefecture, primarily from the inner bark fibers of plants like paper mulberry (kozo), paperbush (mitsumata), and ganpi. It’s renowned for its elegant natural colors, high quality, water resistance, and long-term durability.

Different plant fibers lend unique characteristics:
Paper mulberry produces sturdy paper, ideal for calligraphy and crafts.

Paperbush creates a smooth, slightly glossy paper often used for sliding doors and printing.

Ganpi, a wild-harvested plant, results in thin paper with strong luster, known as high quality.

Beyond these, Echizen Washi includes a wide variety of types, from ceremonial papers used by nobility and samurai to gift wrapping and other certificates.

Kanazawa’s Higashi-Chaya is the city’s largest and most lively historic teahouse district, founded in 1820. It was originally a hub for geiko (local geisha) to entertain wealthy merchants, and its traditional wooden buildings still retain their 200-year-old charm. Today, many buildings are cafes, shops, and restaurants, but some remain active geiko teahouses. While geiko entertainment is exclusive, visitors can tour certain teahouses and see shows.

Ochaya Shima is a former teahouse now serving as a museum, showcasing geiko culture with preserved interiors and displays. Kaikaro is a working geiko teahouse, nearly 200 years old, featuring a room with gold-leaf tatami mats. It’s open for daytime tours (fee applies) and hosts “Geisha Evenings in Kanazawa” in English on select nights, offering interactive performances (online reservations available)

Higashi-Chaya is also central to Kanazawa’s gold leaf production. Numerous shops sell gold leaf products, and some offer hands-on experiences where visitors can apply real gold leaf to various items

This Kanazawa sushi-making class offers a fun and engaging way to learn how to prepare temari-zushi, a colourful and decorative sushi style. You’ll use fresh, local seafood and Kaga vegetables from Kanazawa, known for its excellent produce.

You can customise your temari-zushi with over 15 topping options, choosing from familiar ingredients or venturing into traditional local flavours, including fish, meat, and various vegetables. The class will also delve into what makes temari-zushi unique and its place in Japanese culinary history.

An experienced instructor will guide you through the process, sharing tips and tricks to master the art of temari-zushi. You’ll learn everything from creating perfect sushi rice and shaping the distinctive temari-zushi to traditional food presentation techniques. This hands-on experience ensures you’ll leave with new skills and lasting memories of Japan, ready to recreate these beautiful dishes at home.