Kenroku-en is one of Japan's three great gardens. The samurai and geisha districts survived the war untouched. Gold leaf covers everything from temples to ice cream. Kanazawa is what Kyoto might look like if fewer people knew about it.
What Kanazawa is known for
Top-rated in Kanazawa
Kenroku-en area
4.4landmark
Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum
4.5museum
Large silver egg-shaped building in the Katsuyama hills housing one of Japan's premier dinosaur fossil collections.
Eiheiji Temple
4.5temple
Active Zen monastery in a mountain forest setting where monks still train today.
Shirayama-Hime Shrine
4.5shrine
Shirayama-Hime Shrine.
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
4.6nature
Japan's only driveable beach on the Noto Peninsula, where cars cruise directly on packed sand.
D.T. Suzuki Museum
4.5museum
Museum dedicated to Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, Zen philosopher and Kanazawa native, near Kenrokuen Cultural Zone.
Curio Espresso and Vintage Design
4.6cafe
Seattle-style coffee shop run by a friendly couple, popular for its espresso and sandwiches.
Otome Sushi
4.6restaurant
High-end sushi restaurant favored by locals for its exquisite craftsmanship and hidden location.
