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How did you end up in Kanazawa? Is it worth exploring? I would love to see more of Japan (have been to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, visited lake Toya, Hakone,

How did you end up in Kanazawa? Is it worth exploring? I would love to see more of Japan (have been to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, visited lake Toya, Hakone, Himeji castle), but unsure where to go / what to see next. Any ideas?

jack_arleth 7y ago
A few places come to mind: - Kusatsu Onsen (basically an onsen with the hot-watersource in the centre of the town) - Hiroshima, I cannot stress how nice this city is. - Arima Onsen (another onsen resort, the oldest of Japan) - Nikko (the most lavishly decorated temples combined with mountains, touge, a beautiful lake and one of the highest waterfalls in the country) Nikko is my absolute favorite place in all of Japan. I highly recommend it.
weatherperson 7y ago
long time lurker, just created my account to reply to your comment! I just got back from a Japan tour so it was my first time in the country, but Kanazawa was one of my favorite parts of the trip that I wasn't expecting! The city has a nice blend of history as well as a decent downtown area. I think it is an authentic destination and seems like more of a spot for Japanese tourists than for the usual gaijin. All of the schoolchildren I saw tried to speak English with me and said "hello" which would never happen in the big cities! I also saw the smallest bars and restaurants I have ever seen in my life, with room for 4 people, in the back streets of the downtown area. There were many good things to see in the city. The Kenroku-en Garden was a huge and beautiful park that you can meander about, that's on top of a small mountain. It is also connected to Kanazawa Castle which had the largest lawn I ever sat on. I also enjoyed the Museum of Contemporary art. The fish market is also famous, as is the Higashi Chaya District. I can't recommend Kanazawa enough! Anthony Bourdain also visits Kanazawa in the beginning of the episode "Japan with Masa" on Netflix if you want a glimpse of the city.
- roobeast 7y ago
  Second this, since 2015 the Hokuriku Shinkansen gets you there easily and the garden and castle alone are worth the trip. If you can make it sometime during the cherry blossoms it is insane.
Nadya 7y ago
When you visit somewhere what do you enjoy seeing or doing? Nature? History? Culture? People (as in people-watching)? Local cuisines? Unique activities? I wouldn't recommend Yoyogi Park on a Sunday afternoon for people who aren't that into people watching and don't care to see the Rockabillies dancing. I equally wouldn't recommend any particular temple or shrine to a person who's attitude towards them is "Seen one, seen them all." I have a particular soft spot for Inari shrines and go out quite of my way to visit many of the smaller/local ones. I also second Jack's recommendation of Nikko. It was one of my favorite places I visited. Lake Chūzenji was beautiful in the spring when I went.

jack_arleth 7y ago

A few places come to mind: - Kusatsu Onsen (basically an onsen with the hot-watersource in the centre of the town) - Hiroshima, I cannot stress how nice this city is. - Arima Onsen (another onsen resort, the oldest of Japan) - Nikko (the most lavishly decorated temples combined with mountains, touge, a beautiful lake and one of the highest waterfalls in the country) Nikko is my absolute favorite place in all of Japan. I highly recommend it.

weatherperson 7y ago

long time lurker, just created my account to reply to your comment! I just got back from a Japan tour so it was my first time in the country, but Kanazawa was one of my favorite parts of the trip that I wasn't expecting! The city has a nice blend of history as well as a decent downtown area. I think it is an authentic destination and seems like more of a spot for Japanese tourists than for the usual gaijin. All of the schoolchildren I saw tried to speak English with me and said "hello" which would never happen in the big cities! I also saw the smallest bars and restaurants I have ever seen in my life, with room for 4 people, in the back streets of the downtown area. There were many good things to see in the city. The Kenroku-en Garden was a huge and beautiful park that you can meander about, that's on top of a small mountain. It is also connected to Kanazawa Castle which had the largest lawn I ever sat on. I also enjoyed the Museum of Contemporary art. The fish market is also famous, as is the Higashi Chaya District. I can't recommend Kanazawa enough! Anthony Bourdain also visits Kanazawa in the beginning of the episode "Japan with Masa" on Netflix if you want a glimpse of the city.

roobeast 7y ago
Second this, since 2015 the Hokuriku Shinkansen gets you there easily and the garden and castle alone are worth the trip. If you can make it sometime during the cherry blossoms it is insane.

Nadya 7y ago

When you visit somewhere what do you enjoy seeing or doing? Nature? History? Culture? People (as in people-watching)? Local cuisines? Unique activities? I wouldn't recommend Yoyogi Park on a Sunday afternoon for people who aren't that into people watching and don't care to see the Rockabillies dancing. I equally wouldn't recommend any particular temple or shrine to a person who's attitude towards them is "Seen one, seen them all." I have a particular soft spot for Inari shrines and go out quite of my way to visit many of the smaller/local ones. I also second Jack's recommendation of Nikko. It was one of my favorite places I visited. Lake Chūzenji was beautiful in the spring when I went.