Ishikawa prefecture (Hokuriku area)
Kenrokuen
Kenrokuen attracts visitors with its seasonal beauty: cherry blossoms in spring, kakitsubata in early summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snow hangings in winter. The park is also popular among tourists from overseas, having received the highest rating of three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon (Michelin Tourism Edition). Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Kairakuen Garden in Mito, and Korakuen Garden in Okayama are known as Japan’s three most famous gardens and are designated as special places of scenic beauty by the government.
Omimachi Market
Located in Musashigatsuji, which has flourished as a downtown area since ancient times, Omimachi Market has been bustling since 1721 as the gozenjo of the Maeda family of the Kaga Domain and as a kitchen for the citizens of Kanazawa, supporting the lives of the people of Kanazawa for about 300 years.
The market is always full of activity, with about 170 stores lined up across a narrow alley, selling and buying a variety of goods, including fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, locally grown vegetables and fruits, pickles, confectionery, fresh flowers, and clothing, in a lively exchange of ideas.
Higashi Chaya-gai
Higashi Chaya-gai” is one of Kanazawa’s representative sightseeing spots. The old streets with their beautiful degoshi and stone pavement have been selected as a national Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
There are many stores and cafes selling Japanese sweets, traditional crafts, and sundries, and visitors can enjoy shopping and dining in the elegant townscape. Japanese-style clothing is perfect for the traditional teahouse district, and kimono rentals are available for a pleasant stroll through the town.
Ruins of Buke Yashiki
The remains of residences of Kaga domain and middle class samurai still remain, and the ochre-colored earthen walls and stone-paved alleyways remind us of those days. Even today, people still live in the area, and Kutani pottery stores and restaurants line the streets. The Naga-machi Samurai Residence Ruins is a charming area with a unique atmosphere, where modern life blends naturally into the traditional streetscape.
21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo
Some people may imagine “contemporary art” to be something a little difficult to understand. However, many of the works here, such as Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool” (also known as “Leandro’s Pool”), can be actually seen, touched, and felt, so you can enjoy them as if you were visiting a “park.
Kanazawa Castle Park
Kanazawa Castle Park is designated as a national historic site, and along with Kenrokuen Garden, is one of the most beautiful places in Ishikawa Prefecture. The symbols of the park are the Hishi Yagura, Gojyumen Nagaya, and Hashizume-mon Continuation Yagura. In addition to the magnificent exterior, the faithfully reproduced interior is also a must-see.
There are many highlights in the park, including the newly reconstructed “Kawakita-mon Gate,” “Imoribori” and “Hashizume-mon Gate,” and the “Ishikawa-mon Gate,” “Sanjuken Nagaya” and “Tsurumaru Soko” which are designated as national important cultural properties! Touring the variety of stone walls is another way to enjoy the park.