KANAZAWA, ISHIKAWA PREF. ¨C With its well-preserved samurai and geisha districts, various temples and traditional crafts, the castle town of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture is often nicknamed ¡°Little Kyoto.¡± The opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line extension in 2015 reduced travel time from Tokyo to just 2? hours, making Kanazawa an attractive alternative for those wanting a taste of tradition without the crowds that have descended on Kyoto in recent years.
Most visitors make a beeline for the Kenrokuen Garden (?310; ), which is considered one of the ¡°Three Great Gardens of Japan,¡± alongside Kairakuen in Mito and Kenrokuen in Okayama. Other popular attractions include Omicho Market and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art (?1,000; ). However, Kanazawa has several other museums worthy of your time and attention.
Many of the tourist spots are clustered around the Kanazawa Castle Park and Kenrokuen Garden area. A short walk from the latter will take you to the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art (?360; ). In addition to its extensive collection, which covers 500 years of local art, this museum boasts one of the city¡¯s chicest cafes, Le Musee de H Kanazawa. Most people come for the luscious, highly photogenic desserts, designed by award-winning pastry chef and Ishikawa native Hironobu Tsujiguchi. The cafe can be crowded in the afternoon, but this dessert-lover can assure you it¡¯s worth the wait.
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