Kanazawa, Japan

Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. sits on the Sea of Japan, bordered by the Japan Alps, Hakusan National Park and Noto Peninsula National Park. The city sits between the Sai and Asano rivers.

Kenrokuen Garden is by far the most famous part of Kanazawa. Originally built as the outer garden of Kanazawa castle, it was opened to the public in 1875. It is considered one of the "three most beautiful gardens in Japan" and is filled with a variety of trees, ponds, waterfalls and flowers stretching over 25 acres (100,000 m²).

Other attractions in Kanazawa include the Kanazawa castle site, Omicho Market, the Higashi Geigha district and the Oyama shrine.

If you are looking for a great little bar, try Cambio Cafe and Bar Silk Building 2F Katamachi 2-2-14 Kanazawa. Takayuki is a great host. A good value modern cuisine Japanese restaurant worth a visit is the A.K.A (atelier kitchen for artisan) located 12-10-42 RENN Bldg 1F in the old Samari district.

Things to See & Do

* Kenroku-en Garden
* Kanazawa Castle Site
* Nagamachi Samurai District
* Ninja Temple
* Kazuemachi – geisha houses

General information

Cruise Season – Jan - Dec
Currency – Yen (JPY)
Language – Japanese
Population – 457,840 approx
Land Area – 467.77 km2
Electricity – 2 perpendicular flat pins USA style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT plus hours nine hours
International Country Telephone Code – 81

Port Location – The Port of Kanazawa sits in the center of an area surrounded by Japan’s Alps, the Noto Peninsula National Park, and the Hakusan National Park. The passenger terminal is located on the outskirts of the city, approximately 20 mins by bus to Kanazawa station.

Travel Links – The nearest airport serving Kanazawa is in the city of Komatsu (IATA: KMQ). JAL offers flights into Komatsu Airport from Tokyo Haneda Airport, and from Okinawa. ANA flies into Komatsu from Tokyo Haneda and Narita Airports, as well as Sapporo Chitose, Sendai and Fukuoka. Internationally, Komatsu serves Seoul (four times a week) and Shanghai (three times a week).

Kanazawa's train station, a futuristic marvel that integrates a traditional wooden temple gate with glass and steel, is on the West Japan Railway's Hokuriku Line. From Tokyo Station, there are two routes that can be used to reach Kanazawa.

Several bus companies make runs from Tokyo to Kanazawa. JR Bus runs two daytime buses and two night buses run from Shinjuku and Ikebukuro (more runs added on Weekends and Holidays).