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

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.