Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a castle town located in Ishikawa Prefecture on the Sea of Japan Coast.

As central power was waning in feudal era Japan, local power centers such as Kanazawa grew strong and remained so throughout the Edo period of Shogunal rule. It retains many of its older buildings because it was not target by allied bombings during World War II like many other castle towns were, and as a result its geisha and samurai districts are still popular tourists attractions. Furthermore, it is home to Kenrokuen, one of the three best landscape gardens in Japan.

Kanazawa also produces much of the gold leaf, which is gold beaten into extremely thin, paper like sheets, that used in Japanese art and decoration. Sometimes food and drinks in Kanazawa containing bits of gold leaf can be found.
[ Top ]

Links:

• Sightseeing in Kanazawa.