As I wrote before, our last trip took us down to the Ishikawa prefecture into the city of Kanazawa. Apparently Kanazawa has become a quite popular place, and you can now see lots of Japanese and international visitors flocking through the streets of the city center. However, I still have the feeling that outside of Japan, the city is not that well know, especially in comparison with the much more famous places like Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka. That's why I think I should start telling you a bit more about it and why it has become on of my favorite cities here in Japan. Well, too be honest, I have quite a few places I really like and always want to go again, but Kanazwa is definitely close to the top of that list.

One of the most attractive aspects of this city is its past as a castle town. Kanazawa is truly rich in history and culture, shaped by centuries of tradition and artistic refinement. It became a prominent cultural hub during the Edo Period (1603–1868) under the rule of the Maeda clan, who governed the Saga Domain. The Maeda lords were known for their patronage of the arts, fostering crafts such as gold leaf production, lacquerware and pottery. They also promoted cultural activities like Noh theater and tea ceremonies, which remain integral to Kanazawa’s identity today.

The city’s name, Kanazawa (金沢), translates to "gold marsh," and legend has it that a peasant discovered gold dust in a local stream, hinting at the city's historical connection to wealth and craftsmanship. Unlike many other Japanese cities, Kanazawa was spared from destruction during World War II, allowing its Edo-era districts to remain remarkably well-preserved. Today, visitors can explore these historic areas, including the Nagamachi Samurai District and the Higashi Chaya Geisha District, which offer a glimpse into the lifestyles of samurai and geisha from centuries past.

Kanazawa is also home to Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan’s most celebrated landscape gardens, known for its seasonal beauty and intricate design. In addition the city continues to embrace its artistic heritage, with institutions like the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art blending traditional and modern influences.

There are quite some places of interest of every keen traveller and if you ever happen to make it to Japan, I recommend to put Kanazawa on the list of places you want to visit. I have now been here twice so far and I definitely will come back here again in the future. That might take a while, so for the time being I will enjoy the fresh memories I just gathered and share some of the pictures I have brought back with me. As always I have taken quite some photos, and some of them I want to share with you here at this place. Today is just the start...